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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Certification vs Receipts: Reimbursing Expenses in Government-Owned Corporations
The Supreme Court clarifies that certifications alone cannot support EME reimbursement claims in GOCCs under COA Circular No. 2006-01.
When Church Approval Is Key: Validity of Property Sales by Religious Corporations
Supreme Court rules on when a religious corporation's property sale is unenforceable without required church approvals, citing the Corporation Code.
Condominium Corporation Disputes: When Are They Intra-Corporate Controversies?
The Supreme Court clarifies when disputes between condominium corporations and unit owners are intra-corporate controversies under the jurisdiction of special commercial courts.
Defining Manager Expands Sandiganbayan Jurisdiction Over Graft Cases Involving Government Owned Corporations
Supreme Court clarifies that narrowly, citing a dictionary definition that referred to one who has charge of a corporation and control of its businesses or branch establishments. The Supreme Court, ho
Church Disaffiliation and Corporate Rights: Balancing Religious Freedom and SEC Jurisdiction
A local church's right to disaffiliate from a national church body, and the SEC's jurisdiction over religious corporations, explained.
Corporate Veil Piercing: Directors Held Liable for Fraudulent Misrepresentation in Syndicated Estafa
Supreme Court ruling on when corporate directors can be held criminally liable for estafa despite the separate juridical personality of corporations.
Corporate Liquidation and Minority Rights in Distressed Corporations
A Supreme Court ruling on how rehabilitation proceedings protect minority stockholders from majority abuse in distressed corporations.
Sandiganbayan Jurisdiction: Private vs Public Corporations in the Philippines
When does the Sandiganbayan have jurisdiction over corporate officers? Learn from the Morales ruling on private vs public corporations.
Appeal Bonds for GOCCs in Labor Disputes: The Banahaw Broadcasting Case
When must government-owned corporations post appeal bonds in labor cases? The Supreme Court clarifies in Banahaw Broadcasting.
Local Government Officials and Legal Representation: Defining Government Instrumentalities
Supreme Court clarifies that government-owned or controlled corporations like NPC are "instrumentalities" under the Local Government Code, disqualifying sanggunian members from appearing as counsel ag
Water Districts as GOCCs: Reaffirming Government Control and Audit Authority
The Supreme Court reaffirms that water districts are government-owned or controlled corporations with special charters, settling tax and audit questions.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Is a Corporation Liable for Ill-Gotten Wealth?
A look at when corporations can be held liable for ill-gotten wealth, and why the Supreme Court dismissed cases against corporate fronts in Republic v. Sandiganbayan.
Authority to Represent: The Limits of Legal Representation for Government-Owned Corporations
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when lawyers may appear for GOCCs, requiring OGCC and COA approval before private counsel can act.
Authority to Sue Corporations Must Prove Representation in Court
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that corporate plaintiffs must prove their representative's authority to sue, or risk dismissal of their case.
When Government Corporations Are Not Employers: The LRTA Case on Labor Jurisdiction
The Supreme Court clarifies when government-owned corporations with original charters fall outside labor arbiter jurisdiction, using the LRTA-METRO case.
Indigency Status Corporations Cannot Claim FEE Exemption Despite Aiding THE Poor
Philippine Supreme Court rules corporations cannot claim indigent litigant fee exemptions, even when serving the poor. Learn the legal basis.
Mining Rights and Corporate Authorization: The Crucial Role of Proper Board Authority in Legal Actions
A Supreme Court ruling on why corporations must secure proper board authorization for legal certifications, and the strict rules on mining disputes.
Stay Orders in Corporate Rehabilitation: Why All Claims Against Distressed Firms Are Suspended
The Supreme Court explains why all claims against corporations under rehabilitation are suspended, regardless of when the claim arose.
Corporate Liability and Bouncing Checks: Clarifying the Scope of B.P. Blg. 22
The Supreme Court clarifies that corporations cannot be impleaded in B.P. 22 cases, but creditors may still pursue separate civil actions against them.
Membership Termination in Non-Stock Corporations: Safeguarding Property Rights
The Calatagan Golf Club case clarifies that non-stock corporations must strictly follow their own by-laws before terminating membership or selling shares.
Security of Tenure and Reassignment Limits for Station-Specific Appointments
Supreme Court ruling on reassignment limits for station-specific appointments and security of tenure in government corporations.
Rehabilitation Proceedings Suspending Actions FOR Corporate Rescue
Explaining when corporations may seek rehabilitation, the automatic suspension of claims, and the temporary nature of the relief.
Valid Service of Summons on Corporations: Strict Rules Protect Corporate Rights
Learn how strict service of summons rules protect corporations from default judgments in Philippine civil procedure.
Corporations Cannot Acquire Public Land: T.A.N. Properties v. Republic
The Supreme Court denies a corporation's land registration application, ruling that private corporations cannot acquire alienable public lands under the Constitution.