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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Chain of Custody and Drug Cases: Ensuring Integrity of Evidence in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why the chain of custody rule is essential in drug cases, and what prosecutors and police must prove.
Taxing National Instrumentalities: PFDA Exemption and Local Government Powers
The Supreme Court ruled the PFDA is a government instrumentality, not a GOCC, exempt from real property tax on the Lucena Fishing Port Complex.
When an Airline Ignores You: Moral Damages for Lost Baggage in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when an airline's lost baggage and indifference justify moral and exemplary damages, and how courts set the amounts.
Prescription and Laches in Land Disputes: Understanding Time Limits to Protect Your Property Rights
The Supreme Court explains when actions for reconveyance of registered land prescribe and how laches can bar claims, even those based on forged titles.
Corporate Liability in Illegal Petroleum Trading: Defining the Scope of Responsibility
Supreme Court clarifies who may be held criminally liable for illegal LPG refilling and underfilling under BP 33, as amended.
Rape Conviction on Credible Testimony: Proving Qualifying Circumstances in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on rape conviction based on credible testimony, proving qualifying circumstances, and the effect of R.A. 9346 on the death penalty.
CARP Exemption: Land Reclassification and Agrarian Reform in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when land reclassification can exempt property from CARP coverage, and the limits of that exemption.
Incestuous Rape Upholding THE Testimony OF Vulnerable Victims AND Addressing Familial Abuse
The Supreme Court affirms conviction for incestuous rape, underscoring the credibility of a minor victim's testimony and the State's duty to protect children from familial abuse.
Dishonesty and Falsification in Public Service: A Clerk of Court’s Dismissal
The Supreme Court dismissed a clerk of court for dishonesty and falsifying her Personal Data Sheet, underscoring integrity standards in the judiciary.
IBP Elections: Enforcing Rotation and Upholding Ethical Conduct in Bar Governance
The Supreme Court settles the 2009 IBP leadership crisis, affirming mandatory rotation rules and penalizing grave misconduct by bar officers.
When Courts Can Invalidate an Extrajudicial Settlement: The Tayco Case
The Supreme Court explains when a notarized deed of extrajudicial settlement can be voided despite formal requirements being met.
When Death Ends Criminal and Civil Liability: Datu v. People Explained
What happens to a conviction when the accused dies pending appeal? The Supreme Court's ruling in Datu v. People provides the answer.
Security of Tenure: Understanding Agricultural Tenancy Rights in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies the essential elements of agricultural tenancy and security of tenure in Heirs of Barredo v. Besañes.
Employee Misconduct and Breach of Trust: When Can You Be Dismissed?
The Supreme Court explains when an employee's side activities constitute serious misconduct and breach of trust justifying dismissal.
Forum Shopping in the Philippines: How Filing Similar Cases Can Get Your Suit Dismissed
Learn how the Supreme Court defines forum shopping in the Philippines and why filing similar cases can lead to dismissal with prejudice.
Breach of Trust Defining Qualified Rape and Parental Betrayal in Philippine Law
A father's rape of his 11-year-old daughter is qualified rape. The Supreme Court explains the rules on incestuous rape, penalty, and damages.
Continuing Security: How Future Debts Can Affect Real Estate Mortgages in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains how a real estate mortgage can secure future loans, not just the original debt, through continuing guaranty clauses.
Rape Conviction of Mentally Disabled Victim: Credibility and Damages Explained
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on credible testimony of mentally disabled victim, awards civil, moral, and exemplary damages.
Construction Disputes: Substantial Completion and Liquidated Damages in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when 95% substantial completion bars liquidated damages in construction disputes under CIAP rules.
Bigamy and Nullity: When a Void Marriage Declaration Does Not Erase Criminal Liability
The Supreme Court clarifies that a belated judicial declaration of nullity of a first marriage does not automatically defeat a bigamy charge under Philippine law.
Credibility Counts: Upholding Justice for Victims with Disabilities in Rape Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a father's conviction for qualified rape of his 11-year-old daughter, underscoring credibility and medical evidence.
Illegal Recruitment in Large Scale: Key Lessons from a Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
A look at what makes illegal recruitment a crime of economic sabotage, who can be held liable, and the penalties involved.
Psychological Incapacity in Philippine Marriages: What the Supreme Court Requires
The Supreme Court explains what evidence proves psychological incapacity under Article 36 of the Family Code in Agraviador v. Agraviador.
Unconscionable Interest Rates in the Philippines: When Courts Can Intervene
When can courts strike down excessive interest rates? Learn from Toledo v. Hyden, a Philippine Supreme Court ruling on unconscionable interest.