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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Maintaining Decorum: Court Employees and the Duty of Ethical Conduct
The Supreme Court fined and reprimanded two court employees for shouting at each other inside a courtroom, stressing that decorum is required of all judicial personnel.
Defining Accident in Seafarer Disability Claims: CBA Provisions Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies when a seafarer's injury counts as an but a seafarer may still be entitled to full disability benefits under other CBA provisions.
Judicial Seniority in the Court of Appeals: Date of Appointment Controls
The Supreme Court settles how CA justices' seniority is determined—by appointment date, not transmittal or barcode.
Attendance Registration and Dishonesty in Government Service: Lessons from the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court clarifies when failure to register attendance is a minor violation and when it amounts to dishonesty warranting dismissal.
Bank Liability for Loan Proceeds: Third Party Beneficiaries and Breach of Contract
When is a bank liable to a third party for loan proceeds? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of bank liability and third-party beneficiary claims.
Finality Prevails: The Consequences of Untimely Appeals in Philippine Civil Procedure
Learn how the Supreme Court treats late appeals in civil cases, why finality matters, and the strict rules on appeal periods.
Bank Not Subsidiarily Liable for Loan Proceeds Released to Borrower
Supreme Court rules banks are not automatically liable when loan proceeds go to a borrower instead of a third-party seller.
Reconstituted Land Titles vs. Prior Sales: How the Supreme Court Upholds a Buyer's Right
The Supreme Court ruled that a reconstituted title does not erase a prior registered sale, and that laches does not bar a buyer who acted promptly to protect his land.
Bank Not Subsidiarily Liable Without Clear Obligation: Prudential Bank v. Abasolo
Supreme Court rules a bank is not subsidiarily liable for a loan officer's alleged promises absent a clear obligation or written request.
Illegal Strike and Backwages: What Workers Should Know Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on backwages for employees who join illegal strikes, and when separation pay may be granted instead of reinstatement.
Bank Not Liable for Employee's Promise to Seller: Relativity of Contracts in Loan Proceeds Release
Supreme Court rules bank not subsidiarily liable for employee's alleged promise to pay seller directly from loan proceeds, citing relativity of contracts.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Are Corporate Officers Personally Liable for Labor Claims?
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when corporate officers may be held personally liable for illegal dismissal awards, requiring clear proof of bad faith.
Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies: A Prerequisite to Judicial Intervention in Environmental Cases
The Supreme Court rules that parties must exhaust administrative remedies before seeking judicial intervention, even when challenging an agency's power to impose fines.
Diminution of Benefits, Union Authority, and Validity of MOA in Financial Distress
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a Memorandum of Agreement reducing employee benefits is valid despite financial distress and union ratification issues.
Upholding LLDA Authority Enforcing Environmental Standards in Laguna de Bay
Supreme Court affirms LLDA's power to impose fines for effluent violations, reinforcing environmental enforcement in Laguna de Bay region.
When Presidential Power Meets University Autonomy: The CMU Land Case
The Supreme Court struck down a presidential proclamation taking state university land for IP distribution, affirming academic autonomy and vested property rights.
Resignation Does Not Erase Grave Misconduct: Court Stenographer's Administrative Liability
Supreme Court rules resignation does not absolve court personnel of administrative liability for grave misconduct like soliciting money.
Judicial Misconduct and Sexual Harassment: Violating the Code of Judicial Conduct
A Supreme Court ruling holds that a judge who sexually assaulted a litigant in his own home is guilty of gross misconduct, even after retirement from the bench.
Retail Trade Liberalization: Balancing Economic Growth and Filipino Control
The Supreme Court upheld the Retail Trade Liberalization Act of 2000, ruling that the Constitution does not mandate a Filipino monopoly over the economy.
Transparency in Elections: The Right to Review Source Codes for Automated Election Systems
The Supreme Court ruled that COMELEC must make AES source codes available for independent review under R.A. 9369.
Counsel's Negligence and Missed Appeal Deadlines: When Excuses Fail in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a lawyer's negligence excuses a missed appeal deadline, and when clients remain bound by counsel's mistakes.
Irrevocable Donations: When a “Donation Mortis Causa” Is Really Inter Vivos
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when an irrevocable donation labeled "mortis causa" is actually a donation inter vivos, with practical legal implications.
Mortgaged Property Sales Upholding Ownership Rights Despite Unapproved Transfers
Judicial Inhibition: Proving Bias Through Concrete Evidence, Not Mere Suspicion
The Supreme Court clarifies when judges must inhibit from cases, requiring concrete evidence of bias beyond mere suspicion or spousal relationships.