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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When Commissions Count in Separation Pay: A Philippine Labor Law Guide
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when sales commissions form part of salary for separation pay computation and when quitclaims are invalid.
Retirement Benefits vs Other Allowances: The Refundability Distinction in Illegal Disbursements
When illegal disbursements are disallowed, must payees refund? The Supreme Court draws a line between retirement benefits and ordinary allowances.
When Multiple Shots Mean Separate Crimes: Murder and Attempted Murder in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a single ambush produces separate crimes of murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder.
Defining Attempted Rape: Proving Penile Penetration in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that consummated rape requires proof of penile penetration of the labia; mere touching may constitute only attempted rape.
Land to the Tiller: Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries' Rights Prevail Over Formal Titles
Supreme Court rules actual tillers, not formal titleholders, are entitled to agrarian reform land under CARL.
Defining Disability for Seafarers: Why Timely Medical Assessment Matters
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a seafarer's disability becomes permanent, and why abandoning treatment can jeopardize a claim for full disability benefits.
Constructive Dismissal and Contract Substitution: Protecting OFWs from Unsafe Conditions
Learn how the Supreme Court protected OFWs from contract substitution and unsafe conditions, ruling that forced resignation amounts to constructive dismissal.
Supreme Court Acquits IMC General Manager But Affirms Convictions in P116M Graft Case
SC ruling clarifies evident bad faith in graft cases, acquitting an IMC official who relied on subordinates while affirming convictions of others.
Constructive Dismissal: Employer's Burden to Justify Employee Transfer
When does a forced transfer become constructive dismissal? The Supreme Court clarifies the employer's burden to justify transfers and the limits on belated evidence.
Buy-Bust Operations and Chain of Custody: Ensuring Integrity in Drug Sale Convictions
The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on buy-bust operations, chain of custody, and what it takes to convict under Section 5 of RA 9165.
Nuisance Suits in Intra-Corporate Disputes: Dismissal and Indispensable Parties
The Supreme Court clarifies when an intra-corporate complaint is a nuisance suit and why omitting indispensable parties is fatal.
Constructive Dismissal: When a Transfer Becomes Illegal Under Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when a workplace transfer amounts to constructive dismissal, protecting employees from retaliatory reassignments.
Dismissal for Lack of Pre-Trial Brief: Balancing Procedural Rules and Justice
The Supreme Court affirms dismissal of a case for failure to file a pre-trial brief, clarifying the fresh period rule and the binding effect of counsel's negligence.
Unlocking VAT Refunds: The Transitional Input Tax Credit Principle in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that prior tax payment is not required to claim the 8% transitional input tax credit under the NIRC.
Checks and Balances Upholding Presidential Authority to Remove Deputies Despite Ombudsman Independence
The Supreme Court upholds the President's power to discipline Deputy Ombudsmen and Special Prosecutors, balancing independence with accountability.
Zero-Rated Sales: Strict Invoicing Requirements for VAT Refund Claims in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: failure to comply with invoicing requirements is fatal to VAT refund claims. Learn the strict rules.
Hotels' Duty of Care: Guest Safety and Foreseeable Harm Under Philippine Law
When is a hotel liable for a guest's murder? The Supreme Court clarifies the duty of care hotels owe their guests under Philippine law.
Oral Partition of Land: When Possession Establishes Ownership Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on oral partition, possession, and ownership rights over inherited land. Learn the legal rules.
Chain of Custody Safeguarding Rights in Drug Possession Cases
Learn how the Supreme Court's chain of custody rule protects accused persons in drug possession cases and why broken evidence links lead to acquittal.
Judicial Employee Conduct: Why Private Morals Matter for Court Personnel
The Supreme Court ruled that a court stenographer's extramarital affair is disgraceful and immoral conduct, warranting suspension without pay.
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
Seafarers Disability Benefits: When 120-Day Rule and POEA Reporting Requirements Apply
Supreme Court ruling on seafarer disability benefits, the 120/240-day rule, and POEA contract reporting requirements explained in plain language.
Upholding the Sanctity of Titles: Resolving Disputes Over Land Ownership and Authenticity of Deeds
The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on reviving judgments, prescription periods, and the hierarchy of courts in land disputes.
Parental Authority and Statutory Rape: A Father's Moral Influence as Force
The Supreme Court affirms a father's rape conviction, holding that parental moral ascendancy substitutes for force in incestuous rape cases.