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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Regular Employment vs Independent Contractor: The Control Test in Philippine Labor Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when construction workers are regular employees, not independent contractors, using the four-fold test and control test.
Breach of Contract: Defining Scope of Work and Assessing Damages in Construction Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how to define scope of work and compute damages when a contractor breaches a construction agreement.
Easement Rights and Property Development: Clarifying Limits and Obligations in Construction Projects
Understand how the Supreme Court distinguishes reversion from annulment of titles, and what this means for property owners and developers.
Waiver of Defenses: How Untimely Pleadings Shape Construction Disputes
A contractor's unpaid claim was revived by the Supreme Court, which ruled that defenses not raised in the answer are deemed waived under Rule 9.
Client Bound by Counsel's Negligence? SC Relaxes Rules in Pontillas Construction Dispute
Supreme Court reminds courts that procedural rules serve justice, not hinder it, in a case involving counsel's lapses.
Arbitration Agreements Need Not Be Signed: CIAC Jurisdiction in Construction Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court rules that an arbitration agreement need not be signed to vest CIAC jurisdiction over construction disputes, as long as intent is clear in writing.
Project Employment vs Regular Employment: What Philippine Law Says
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when construction workers are project employees and not regular employees, and what this means for termination rights.
Construction Delays and Liquidated Damages: Defining Substantial Completion in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when liquidated damages stop accruing in construction delays—actual substantial completion, not projections, matters.
Construction Contracts Default Rules and Unjust Enrichment in Equipment Leases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies default rules on minimum contract amounts, quantum meruit, and unjust enrichment in construction equipment lease disputes.
Project vs Regular Employment: Defining Worker Rights in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when construction workers are regular employees, not project-based, and the employer's burden of proof.
Project vs Regular Employment: Understanding Security of Tenure in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when project employees become regular workers and how security of tenure applies in Philippine construction labor law.
Good Faith in Construction: Builders' Rights and Landowners' Remedies Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when builders are in good faith and the rights of landowners over improvements built on their property.
Substantial Completion and Contract Termination in Construction Disputes: PSHS v. Pirra Construction
When is a project substantially completed, and when can a government agency terminate a construction contract? The Supreme Court clarifies.
Valid Jurat and Proper Verification: Lessons from William Go Que Construction v. CA
A defective jurat in a verification and certification against forum shopping can doom a petition. Learn the rules on competent evidence of identity.
Progress Billings AND Contractual Obligations Upholding Contractors Valuation IN Construction Disputes
Defining Construction Cost Interest Expenses and Reserved Units in Joint Development Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies what counts as actual construction cost in joint development agreements, excluding interest expenses from the computation.
Construction Delays: Who Bears the Cost? Lessons from BF Corp v. Werdenberg
A Supreme Court ruling on construction delays clarifies how courts apportion liability and compute liquidated damages when both parties share fault.
Construction Contracts and Legal Interest: Determining Liability in Government Projects
The Supreme Court clarifies when 6% legal interest applies to unpaid construction claims against government agencies and local governments.
Project vs Regular Employment: Security of Tenure in Construction
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when construction workers are project employees and how employers prove project employment.
Surety Bonds Solidary Liability Despite Contract Amendments In Construction Projects
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on surety bonds, solidary liability, and why contract amendments don't automatically release sureties.
Avoiding Forum Shopping in Philippine Construction Disputes: Key Lessons from Dynamic Builders
Learn how the Supreme Court's ruling in Dynamic Builders clarifies forum shopping rules and injunctive relief in Philippine construction disputes.
Slippage in Construction Contracts: Government Immunity and Contractor Accountability
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on government immunity in construction contracts and contractor liability for project delays and slippage.
Environmental Law Upholding Power Plant Construction Despite Procedural Lapses
Supreme Court clarifies the writ of kalikasan's scope and upholds a coal plant's ECC despite procedural lapses in its issuance.
Solidary Liability When Negligence in Construction Leads to Shared Responsibility
When two parties' separate negligent acts combine to cause one injury, Philippine law treats them as joint tortfeasors solidarily liable for all damages.