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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Res Judicata and Foreclosure: When a Second Bite at the Apple Is Denied
The Supreme Court explains how res judicata bars a second case on the same foreclosure dispute, and clarifies appeal rules.
Tax Exemption for Government Instrumentalities: Defining the Scope of Real Property Tax Liability
The Supreme Court clarifies when a government entity is exempt from real property tax, distinguishing instrumentalities from GOCCs.
Perfecting Land Titles: The Burden of Proof in Land Registration Cases
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies the strict burden of proof in land registration, including possession periods and evidence of alienability.
Public Officials and Land Acquisition: When Negligence Becomes Accountable Governance
A Supreme Court ruling on land registration shows how the Regalian doctrine and strict proof requirements protect public domain land from private claims.
Perfecting Title: Strict Requirements for Land Registration in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies the strict rules on land registration, including proof of alienability and possession periods.
Supreme Court Dismisses Corona Impeachment Petition on Mootness Grounds
The Supreme Court dismissed former Chief Justice Corona's petition assailing his impeachment trial, ruling the case became moot upon his conviction.
Judicial Misconduct and Impeachment: When Court Review Becomes Moot
The Supreme Court explains why it dismissed Chief Justice Corona's challenge to his impeachment trial—because the case became moot after conviction.
Impeachment and Judicial Review: Defining the Limits of Court Intervention
The Supreme Court rules on the JBC's composition, clarifying constitutional limits on congressional representation and judicial review.
Supreme Court Limits Congress to One Seat on the Judicial and Bar Council
The Supreme Court rules Congress may send only one representative to the JBC, striking down the eight-member composition as unconstitutional.
Court Employee Dismissed for Misusing Cash Evidence: A Lesson in Judicial Integrity
Supreme Court dismisses court employee who took P45,000 cash evidence for repairs, ruling restitution does not erase administrative liability.
Judicial Misconduct and Impartiality: Lessons from the Corona Impeachment Case
The Supreme Court's ruling on the Corona impeachment petition clarifies the limits of judicial review over impeachment proceedings and the doctrine of mootness.
Judicial Accountability: Timeliness and Due Process in Summary Proceedings
A Supreme Court administrative case shows how judges may be fined for undue delay in summary proceedings, while clarifying what does not violate due process.
Supreme Court Fines Judge for Undue Delay in Unlawful Detainer Case
Learn when a judge's delay in holding preliminary conference becomes administrative liability, from a 2012 Supreme Court ruling.
Undue Delay in Justice: A Judge's Accountability in Expediting Legal Proceedings
When a judge delays a case, justice suffers. The Supreme Court's ruling in Chu v. Capellan explains why judges must act promptly.
Heavy Workload Not Enough to Justify Certiorari Filing Extension
Philippine Supreme Court rules heavy workload alone is not a compelling reason to extend the 60-day period for filing a petition for certiorari under Rule 65.
Double Compensation and Gratuity Pay: Constitutional Limits for Government Workers
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when gratuity pay becomes prohibited double compensation under the Constitution for government employees.
Retirement Benefits CBA vs Labor Code: Pilot Entitlements Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when CBA retirement benefits prevail over Labor Code Article 287, using a PAL pilot's case as guide.
Rehabilitation Denied When Financial Realities Override Corporate Rescue
The Supreme Court clarifies when corporate rehabilitation is not available—mere illiquidity qualifies, but irreversible insolvency with speculative plans does not.
Eminent Domain vs Easement: Just Compensation for Transmission Lines in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when transmission line projects require full just compensation rather than mere easement fees.
Reasonable Doubt When Eyewitness Testimony Falls Short in Murder Conviction
Supreme Court acquits murder accused where lone eyewitness testimony was riddled with improbabilities, casting reasonable doubt on identity.
Navigating Tax Disputes: The Proper Legal Remedy for Assessment Protests in the Philippines
Learn the correct legal remedy when protesting a local business tax assessment, based on a Supreme Court ruling on the Local Government Code.
Private vs Common Carrier: Who Bears Cargo Loss Under Insurance Policies
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a carrier is private or common, and how "other insurance" clauses affect liability for lost cargo.
False Declarations in Insurance Claims: When Fraud Voids a Fire Policy
The Supreme Court voided a P50-million fire insurance claim after finding the insured padded its losses, showing how false declarations forfeit policy benefits.
Res Judicata and Land Disputes: When a Final Decision Bars a Quiet Title Action
A final Bureau of Lands decision bars a quiet title action under res judicata. Learn the rules from this Philippine Supreme Court case.