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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Sobriety vs Perception: Protecting Rights During Traffic Stops in the Philippines
The Supreme Court acquits a driver of drunk driving and resisting arrest, clarifying that smelling of alcohol is not the same as being under its influence.
Defective Summons: How Improper Service Can Void an Ejectment Case in the Philippines
Learn how defective summons and improper substituted service can void an ejectment case, based on a Philippine Supreme Court ruling.
Breach of Trust in Employment: When Misconduct Justifies Termination
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a cashier's mishandling of funds amounts to breach of trust justifying dismissal from employment.
Seafarer Death Benefits: Work-Related Illness and Medical Repatriation Under the POEA-SEC
Supreme Court ruling on seafarers' death benefits when work-related illness causes death after medical repatriation under the POEA-SEC.
Probable Cause vs Ownership Claims in Theft Cases: People v. Yecyec
When can courts dismiss theft charges for lack of probable cause? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of judicial review in People v. Yecyec.
Torrens Title vs Unregistered Deed: How Philippine Courts Resolve Land Possession Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on Torrens titles, unregistered deeds, and land possession disputes involving public domain classification.
Government Reorganization: Security of Tenure vs Legislative Authority
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling on ATO abolition, hold-over status, and security of tenure in government reorganizations.
Reinstatement to the Bar: Proving Moral Reformation and Rehabilitation
The Supreme Court denies a disbarred lawyer's plea for reinstatement, clarifying the high burden of proving moral reformation.
Excise Tax on Tobacco: Clarifying the Scope of Tax Exemptions for Stemmed Leaf Transfers
The Supreme Court clarifies when stemmed leaf tobacco transfers between manufacturers are exempt from excise tax under Philippine law.
Limits of Warrantless Arrests: Probable Cause and Immediacy in Hot Pursuit
The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of warrantless arrests under Rule 113, Section 5(b), focusing on probable cause and immediacy in hot pursuit cases.
Compromise Agreements Prevail Resolving Tax Disputes Through Mutual Concessions
When parties settle tax disputes by compromise, courts may set aside prior rulings. The Supreme Court explains the binding effect of such agreements.
Unconscionable Interest Rates When Courts Intervene To Protect Borrowers
The Supreme Court reduced 60% annual charges in a lease dispute to 12% interest plus 6% penalty, citing Article 1229.
Solicitation by Court Personnel: Upholding Integrity in the Philippine Judiciary
Supreme Court rules on grave misconduct by court personnel who solicits money from litigants, reinforcing integrity standards in the judiciary.
Finality of Judgment and Contempt: Lessons from the Bihag v. Era Disbarment Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when a disbarred lawyer may be cited for indirect contempt and how final judgments are enforced.
Reconstitution of Lost Title Allowed: Supreme Court Clarifies R.A. 26 Requirements
Supreme Court clarifies the rules on judicial reconstitution of lost certificates of title under Republic Act No. 26.
When Judges Face Administrative Complaints: The Limits of Judicial Audits
The Supreme Court clarifies when errors in issuing TROs are judicial matters, not grounds for administrative discipline.
Final Judgments in Lawyer Discipline: Why They Cannot Be Reopened
The Supreme Court denies a disbarred lawyer's bid to reopen his case, reaffirming the doctrine of finality of judgment.
Online Psychological Abuse and Higher Penalties: Demaala v. Sandiganbayan
The Supreme Court clarifies when Facebook posts constitute psychological abuse under RA 9262 and why using ICT raises the penalty.
Quashing Motions: The Remedy Lies in Trial and Appeal, Not Certiorari
When a motion to quash is denied, the accused must proceed to trial and appeal later—certiorari is not the remedy.
Procedural Errors in Agrarian Reform: Why the Right Appeal Matters
A Supreme Court ruling shows why landowners appealing DAR decisions must use Rule 43, not certiorari under Rule 65.
Corporate Membership Dues: Who Pays When Nominees Change
Supreme Court rules on whether golf clubs can charge new membership fees when corporate members replace their nominees.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Rape of a Person Deprived of Reason and RA 9346
The Supreme Court clarifies rape of a mentally disabled victim, the distinction from person, and applies Republic Act No. 9346, which prohibits the death penalty. The ruling is significant for prosecu
When Workplace Misconduct Justifies Dismissal: The Imasen Ruling on Serious Misconduct
The Supreme Court clarifies when sexual acts inside company premises constitute serious misconduct justifying dismissal under the Labor Code.
Foreclosure Sales: The Impact of Non-Registration on Property Rights in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled that non-registration of a judicial foreclosure sale does not defeat the purchaser's rights.