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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Understanding Illegal Dismissal When Mistakes Dont Justify Firing
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when retrenchment is illegal dismissal, requiring proof of losses and fair selection criteria.
Nuisance Candidates in Multi-Slot Elections: What the Rules Really Say
Nuisance candidates in multi-slot elections: the legal test, the Comelec's discretion, and practical guidance for aspirants.
Hereditary Succession in Agrarian Reform: Supreme Court Ruling on Tenant Beneficiary Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies how farmholdings under PD 27 pass to heirs, emphasizing DAR's authority over succession and owner-cultivator selection.
Quorum Quandaries: Questioning Corporate Meeting Legitimacy Beyond Election Contests
When does a challenge to a corporate meeting's validity become an election contest? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of the 15-day rule.
Electoral Protests and the Limits of Challenging Election Results in the Philippines
The Supreme Court's ruling in Marcos v. Robredo clarifies the rules, burdens, and limits of contesting presidential and vice presidential election results.
The Doctrine of Mootness: Resolving Association Election Disputes Beyond Expired Terms
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when election contests become moot after officers' terms expire, and the exceptions to the mootness doctrine.
Premature Election Notices and Lawyer Discipline: A Lesson in Upholding the Rule of Law
A provincial election supervisor's premature notices before COMELEC acted led to a one-year suspension—a lesson on lawyers' duty to obey the law.
Lawyer Suspended for Premature Election Notices: Upholding Legal Processes Under Canon 1
A provincial election supervisor's premature notices of a special election led to a one-year suspension for violating Canon 1 of the Code of Professional Responsibility.
Legislative Reapportionment: When New Districts Take Effect and Voters' Rights Prevail
The Supreme Court nullified COMELEC's suspension of South Cotabato's 1st District elections, clarifying when legislative reapportionment takes effect.
Election Offenses: The 45-Day Ban on Releasing Public Funds for Livelihood Programs
Supreme Court clarifies the 45-day election ban on public fund releases covers LGU livelihood programs, not just DSWD projects.
Upholding Transparency Competitive Bidding Mandate IN Power Supply Agreements
Supreme Court voids ERC's postponement of competitive selection for power supply agreements, protecting consumers from opaque electricity costs.
Stop and Frisk During Election Periods: When Police Searches Are Valid
The Supreme Court explains when a warrantless stop and frisk search is valid, using an election gun ban case as an example.
Election Offenses and Double Jeopardy: The Limits of Prosecutorial Power in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when an acquittal in an election offense case is final, and why the prosecution cannot appeal it without violating double jeopardy.
Treasury Warrants, Election Ban, and Double Jeopardy: Key Lessons from People v. Ting
The Supreme Court clarifies when issuing treasury warrants violates the election ban and why acquittals stand under double jeopardy.
How Courts Read Ballots: Voter Intent in Philippine Barangay Elections
A one-vote barangay election dispute shows how Philippine courts apply the idem sonans, neighborhood, and written-by-two rules to honor voter intent.
HRET Quorum Rules on Justices and Jurisdiction Upheld as Constitutional
The Supreme Court upholds HRET rules requiring a Justice for quorum and clarifies jurisdiction over House members' election contests.
Election Contests and the 15-Day Rule: Eizmendi v. Fernandez on Corporate Governance
The Supreme Court clarifies that indirect attacks on corporate elections violate the 15-day reglementary period for election contests under the Interim Rules.
Finality of Election Decisions: Untimely Appeals and Mootness in Barangay Disputes
The Supreme Court explains why an untimely certiorari petition and a moot issue doomed a barangay election protest appeal.
When Doubt Benefits the Accused: Integrity of Evidence in Philippine Criminal Cases
A Supreme Court ruling on reasonable doubt, witness credibility, and the prosecution's burden in election-period weapon possession cases.
Election LAW Carrying Deadly Weapons AND Reasonable Doubt
Perpetual Disqualification and Material Misrepresentation in Election Candidacy
The Supreme Court ruled that filing a Certificate of Candidacy while under perpetual disqualification is material misrepresentation, voiding the CoC and making votes stray.
Doctrine of Condonation: When Re-Election Erases Past Misconduct
The Supreme Court explains when re-election can erase past administrative misconduct, and when it cannot.
Redundancy Programs Ensuring Fairness IN Employee Selection
The Supreme Court rules that a redundancy program must use fair criteria in selecting employees to dismiss, not just general business logic.
Election Overspending: When Party Membership Limits Campaign Spending in the Philippines
Supreme Court clarifies that party membership alone restricts candidates to the P3.00 per voter spending cap under RA 7166.