Legal Insights
Plain-language guides and case briefs on Philippine law — researched from the firm's law library of 184,000+ statutes, Supreme Court decisions, and agency issuances, and written so non-lawyers can understand and act on them.
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Quorum Quandaries: When Does a Presiding Officer Count in Local Governance
The Supreme Court clarifies when a vice-mayor counts for quorum in local sanggunian sessions under the Local Government Code.
Timeliness is Key: Understanding the 15-Day Rule for Agrarian Disputes
The Supreme Court explains why landowners must file just compensation cases within 15 days of the DARAB decision, or lose their right.
Upholding Integrity: Consequences of Misconduct for Court Employees in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on grave misconduct by court employees, explaining penalties, ethical standards, and why resignation does not erase liability.
Nepotism, Falsification, and Public Trust: Lessons from a Municipal Court's Administrative Cases
The Supreme Court's consolidated ruling on a judge and court personnel clarifies ethical boundaries in government service.
Ethical Boundaries for Court Employees: Simple Misconduct in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling on simple misconduct shows why court employees face exacting moral standards even in private life.
Probationary Employee Rights: When Misclassification Makes You Regular From Day One
Learn how the Supreme Court protects probationary employees from unfair dismissal and when lack of clear standards makes you a regular employee.
Reconstitution of Lost Titles: Supreme Court Clarifies Evidence Rules in Faustino Co Shu Kiam v. Republic
Supreme Court clarifies reconstitution of lost titles, ruling on evidence standards for owner's duplicate and ROD certifications under RA 26.
When Bank Officers Can Be Sued Personally: Lessons from Urban Bank v. Peña
The Supreme Court ruled that corporate officers cannot be held solidarily liable for corporate obligations without proof of bad faith or wrongdoing on their part.
Breach OF Public Trust When Court Employees Overstep Boundaries
Ethical Boundaries for Public Officials: Soliciting Loans and Conflict of Interest
Public officials cannot solicit loans from entities they regulate, even if they are cooperative members. The Supreme Court clarifies the rule.
Solidary Liability of Sureties: Understanding Your Obligations in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that sureties solidarity liable with a debtor cannot use corporate rehabilitation stay orders to delay or avoid payment obligations.
Credibility of Victim Testimony in Rape Cases: Philippine Jurisprudence Analysis
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on victim testimony credibility in rape cases, examining evidentiary standards and witness assessment principles.
Reconstitution of Lost Title: Supreme Court Clarifies Evidence Rules in Faustino Co Shu Kiam v. Republic
Supreme Court clarifies when courts may reconstitute lost land titles under RA 26, easing rigid evidence standards after disasters.
Substantial Evidence in Administrative Cases: Why Photocopies and Hearsay Don't Suffice
Learn how Philippine courts treat photocopies and hearsay in administrative cases, and why substantial evidence remains the standard.
Probationary Employment in the Philippines: Standards for Regularization and Illegal Dismissal
A general manager dismissed during probation won his illegal dismissal case because his employer failed to set reasonable standards for regularization.
Just Compensation in Land Reform: Ensuring Fair Value for Agricultural Landowners in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how just compensation is computed for agricultural landowners under CARP, including DAR formula rules and compensable areas.
Protecting Press Freedom Understanding Libel and Fair Reporting in Philippine Media Law
Explore the boundaries of libel and fair reporting in Philippine media law through the Supreme Court's ruling in Angeles v. Gaite.
When Does DARAB Have Jurisdiction Over Agrarian Disputes? The Bagongahasa Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies DARAB's jurisdiction over CLOA cancellation cases, emphasizing the need for an agrarian dispute involving tenancy relations.
Loss of Trust and Confidence in Philippine Labor Law: When Dismissal Becomes Illegal
Philippine labor law requires employers to prove willful breach of trust before dismissing employees. This case explains the standard.
Moral Conduct in Public Service: Upholding Ethical Standards in the Judiciary
Supreme Court affirms dismissal of libel complaint against prosecutor who questioned a judge's moral fitness in official pleadings.
Land Bank's Authority to Seek Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform Cases
Supreme Court affirms Land Bank's legal personality to file just compensation cases before the Special Agrarian Court, independent of DAR.
Judicial Conduct: Proving Misconduct Claims Against Judges in the Philippines
A look at the evidentiary standard for administrative complaints against judges, explained through the case of Datoon v. Judge Kapili.
Proving Actual Damages: The Standard for Compensation in Philippine Contract Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the strict standard for proving actual damages in contract disputes, requiring clear and convincing documentary evidence.
Eyewitness Reliability Scrutinizing Identification in Criminal Convictions
The Supreme Court affirms murder convictions based on a lone eyewitness, clarifying standards for witness credibility and identification in criminal cases.