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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Upholding Buy-Bust Operations: Validating Drug Convictions Despite Procedural Lapses
Supreme Court affirms drug conviction despite Section 21 lapses, ruling substantial compliance with chain of custody rules suffices when evidence integrity is preserved.
Work-Related Illness and Seafarers' Compensation: The Burden of Proof Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies when a seafarer's illness is compensable and how the burden of proof works in disability claims.
Reorganization and Security of Tenure: Why Employees Must Exhaust Administrative Remedies First
Supreme Court ruling on LWUA reorganization clarifies that employees challenging government restructuring must first exhaust administrative remedies before going to court.
Lawyer's Unfounded Bribery Accusation Against Prosecutor Draws Fine
Supreme Court fines a lawyer for baselessly accusing a prosecutor of bribery in pleadings, stressing limits of zealous advocacy.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: How a Marking Discrepancy Led to Acquittal
A marking discrepancy between the poseur-buyer's testimony and the lab request broke the chain of custody, resulting in acquittal.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: When Lapses Do Not Mean Acquittal
Explore when lapses in Section 21 chain of custody rules do not lead to acquittal in Philippine drug cases, as ruled in People v. Dela Cruz.
Unlawful Arrest Invalidates Drug Possession Conviction Protecting Constitutional Rights
Explore how the Supreme Court acquitted an accused due to an unlawful arrest and broken chain of custody in drug cases.
Constitutional Ban on Land Ownership: Filipino Spouses and Foreign Nationals
The Supreme Court rules that land bought for a foreigner and titled in a Filipino spouse's name is void, reaffirming the constitutional ban.
Foreigners Cannot Own Philippine Land Even Through a Filipino Spouse
The Supreme Court voids a land sale to a foreigner's Filipino spouse, ruling it a constitutional violation and not a double sale.
Third-Party Claims in Labor Execution: Due Process and the Burden of Proof
The Supreme Court clarifies when a hearing is required for third-party claims in NLRC execution proceedings, and what claimants must prove.
Lawyers Reprimanded for Unfounded Accusations in Pleadings: A Lesson in Professional Conduct
Philippine Supreme Court disciplines lawyers for baseless accusations against opposing counsel in pleadings, reaffirming ethical duties under the Code of Professional Responsibility.
Civility and Candor: Disciplining Lawyers for Unfounded Accusations in Pleadings
The Supreme Court reminds lawyers that unfounded accusations in pleadings violate the Code of Professional Responsibility, even if privileged.
Upholding Notarial Integrity: Personal Appearance Is Mandatory for Notaries
A notary who notarizes affidavits without the affiants' personal appearance faces suspension from law practice and loss of notarial commission.
Notarizing Without the Affiant: When a Lawyer’s Negligence Becomes Misconduct
The Supreme Court suspends a lawyer for six months for notarizing affidavits without the affiants’ personal appearance, a clear breach of notarial rules.
Upholding Real Estate Sales: The Limits of Unilateral Contract Rescission
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that a seller cannot unilaterally rescind a real estate sale without a court decree or contractual stipulation.
Patent Revival and Due Diligence: The Consequences of Negligence in Intellectual Property Rights
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that negligence by a patent applicant's counsel binds the client, and revival of abandoned applications may be barred by third-party rights and public interest.
Agrarian Reform Emancipation Patents Cancelled for Non-Agricultural Land
Supreme Court cancels emancipation patents over non-agricultural land, ruling that CLTs are essential and landowners must receive due process.
Treachery and Witness Credibility in Murder Cases Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms a murder conviction based on treachery and credible eyewitness testimony, explaining key rules on witness credibility and damages.
Negligence vs Intent: When a Lawyer's Careless Accommodation Becomes Misconduct
The Supreme Court distinguishes negligence from intentional misconduct in Cruz v. Reyes, reprimanding a lawyer for careless accommodation of another counsel's requests.
Disbarment for Judicial Misconduct: Upholding Integrity in Marriage Solemnization
The Supreme Court disbarred a former judge for solemnizing marriages with irregular documents, turning a sacred duty into a business.
Breach of Public Trust When Unauthorized Actions Constitute Grave Misconduct
A process server who falsified a court order and solicited money was dismissed, even after resigning. Learn the rules on grave misconduct.
Navigating Search Warrants Upholding Rights IN Drug Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when errors in issuing TROs are judicial matters, not administrative offenses, and warns against harassment suits against judges.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: When Facebook Posts Lead to Higher Penalties
The Supreme Court clarifies how social media authorship is proven and why ICT use raises penalties for psychological abuse under RA 9262.
Treachery Defined: How Eyewitness Testimony Secures Murder Convictions in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains how treachery qualifies killing as murder and why a consistent eyewitness account outweighs an alibi defense.