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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Upholding Legal Ethics Dishonoring A Check Leads TO Suspension FOR Lawyer
Just Compensation Required When Government Takes Private Property for Roads
Supreme Court rules government must pay just compensation for private property taken for road widening, not demand donation under PD 1529.
Just Compensation Prevails: Government Must Pay for Land Taken for Public Use Even If Initially Reserved for R
Supreme Court rules government must pay just compensation for private land taken for public roads, even if the owner initially reserved it for road widening.
Just Compensation Prevails: Government Must Pay for Land Taken for Public Use
Supreme Court rules the government must pay just compensation for private land taken for public roads, even if the owner subdivided it.
Indispensable Parties Protecting Lienholder Rights IN Property Disputes
When the government takes private land for public use, it must pay just compensation—even if the owner once reserved the lot for road widening.
Expired Permits and Regulatory Fines: NTC Authority Over Broadcast Operations
A broadcaster's expired provisional authority and NTC fines explained: the Supreme Court clarifies administrative penalties, prescription, and temporary permits.
Protecting Workers Rights Employer Interference AND Unfair Labor Practices
Supreme Court clarifies the proper remedy for challenging the Labor Secretary's assumption of jurisdiction over strikes in industries vital to national interest.
Attachment Liens Priority AND Protection IN Real Property Disputes
A prior attachment lien survives title cancellation and transfers, binding the property and subsequent purchasers until the debt is paid.
Dishonesty in Public Office: The Imperative of Truthful Asset Disclosure
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when SALN misdeclarations constitute dishonesty, not grave misconduct, and the importance of truthful disclosure.
Beyond the Salary: Defining Dishonesty in Public Office and the Limits of Misconduct
The Supreme Court clarifies when failure to declare assets amounts to dishonesty, not grave misconduct, in Ombudsman cases.
Revival of Judgment Equity Prevails Over Strict Procedural Rules in Land Dispute
Supreme Court allows revival of judgment beyond prescriptive period where strict rules would cause injustice to blameless litigants.
Attachment Liens Priority Rights AND Protection IN Property Disputes
Learn how prior attachment liens survive property transfers and title cancellations, and why courts must preserve these encumbrances.
Certiorari and the Secretary of Labor: Ensuring Procedural Correctness in Labor Disputes
When can a party file certiorari against the Labor Secretary's decision? The Supreme Court clarifies the proper remedy and timing.
The High Cost of Procedural Lapses: Dismissal of Appeal in Estafa Case
Learn how the Supreme Court relaxed procedural rules to prevent injustice in a revival of judgment case.
Pre-Existing Conditions and Seafarer Disability Claims: Proving Work Relatedness
A seafarer's disability claim fails without proof of work relatedness. The Supreme Court clarifies the burden in Ayungo v. Beamko.
Contempt of Court: Balancing Free Speech and Judicial Integrity in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when criticism crosses the line into contempt, using a lawyer's letter to a Court Administrator as the cautionary example.
Nicknames and Election Law: What Counts as Material Misrepresentation in Certificates of Candidacy
A candidate's nickname in a certificate of candidacy is not material misrepresentation unless it affects eligibility or qualification for office.
Judges Cannot Notarize Cohabitation Affidavits for Marriages They Solemnize
Supreme Court rules MTC judges may not notarize affidavits of cohabitation for marriages they solemnize, citing Circular 1-90.
When an Agent's Mortgage Signed in Own Name Does Not Bind the Principal
A mortgage signed by an agent in a personal capacity, without indicating agency, binds only the agent, not the principal.
Mutuality of Contracts: Banks Cannot Unilaterally Impose Interest Rate Hikes on Loans
Philippine National Bank v. Manalo clarifies that banks cannot unilaterally raise loan interest rates without borrower consent under Article 1308 of the Civil Code.
Trademark Confusion: When Similar Marks on Different Products Are Allowed
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when similar trademarks on unrelated goods can coexist, applying the multifactor test for confusing similarity.
VAT Refund Claims: The 120-Day Waiting Period and the BIR Ruling That Saved It
The Supreme Court clarifies the 120-day waiting period for VAT refund claims and the effect of BIR Ruling No. DA-489-03.
Land Registration Proof: Beyond DENR Certification and the Burden of Incontrovertible Evidence
A DENR certification alone won't secure land title. The Supreme Court clarifies the strict proof required for judicial confirmation of title.
Upholding Convictions in Drug Cases: Balancing Evidence and Constitutional Rights
Learn how the Supreme Court balances evidence and constitutional rights in drug cases, and what this means for accused persons.