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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Coalition Registration Deadlines Are Mandatory in Philippine Election Law
Supreme Court rules COMELEC deadlines for coalition registration are mandatory, not merely directory, in Liberal Party v. COMELEC.
Constructive Possession When Holding Isnt Always Having IN Illegal Firearm Cases
Philippine Supreme Court explains constructive possession in illegal firearm cases—what it means, how it is proven, and why custody by another person may still be possession.
Writ of Possession: Validity of Mortgage Cannot Be Challenged in Possession Proceedings
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: courts must issue writs of possession ministerially after foreclosure; mortgage validity challenges belong in separate actions.
Navigating Libel in the Digital Age: Defining Jurisdiction in Online Defamation
The Supreme Court clarifies where online libel cases may be filed, ruling that mere internet access does not determine venue.
Writ of Possession in Foreclosure: When Issuance Is Ministerial
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that writ of possession issuance after foreclosure is ministerial, not discretionary, for the purchaser.
Robbery With Rape Conviction: Victim Testimony Prevails Over Alibi Defense
Supreme Court affirms robbery with rape conviction, holding that a victim's positive identification prevails over an accused's weak alibi defense.
Fair Market Value vs Arbitrary Pricing: Protecting Option to Purchase Agreements in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that "fair market value" in option to purchase agreements cannot be arbitrarily set by the grantor.
Oral Partition of Land: Proving Agreements and Challenging Ownership Claims
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on proving oral partition of inherited land, parol evidence rule, and where to litigate ownership claims in expropriation.
Forum Shopping and Dismissed Cases: What the Benedicto Ruling Means for Refiled Complaints
The Supreme Court clarifies when a withdrawn case must be disclosed in a certification against forum shopping, and what litis pendentia requires.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Victim Testimony and Positive Identification in Philippine Law
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, ruling that a victim's positive identification and credible testimony can overcome alibi and denial defenses.
Procedural Lapses and Contempt: Navigating Court Rules in Contract Disputes
A Supreme Court ruling on procedural rules in contract disputes: motion for reconsideration, hierarchy of courts, and indirect contempt.
Finality Prevails Reaffirming HRET Discretion in Electoral Protests
Supreme Court affirms HRET's discretion in ballot revision and upholds finality of judgments in election protests.
Tortious Interference Protecting Distributorship Rights in Philippine Commerce
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on tortious interference with exclusive distributorship contracts and the liability of third parties who induce breach.
Corporate Rehabilitation vs Labor Claims: Balancing Creditor Rights and Employee Protection
When a company undergoes rehabilitation, labor claims are suspended. The Supreme Court explains why in Castillo v. Uniwide.
Presumption of Regularity vs. Misconduct Claims: Integrity in Court Execution
Learn how the presumption of regularity in official duty interacts with misconduct allegations in administrative cases, from a 2010 Supreme Court ruling.
Public Trust Dismissal for Grave Misconduct in Extortion Case
Supreme Court reinstates dismissal of BIR examiner for grave misconduct in extortion, clarifying substantial evidence standard in administrative cases.
Party-List Delisting Rules Clarified: Two Separate Grounds Under RA 7941
Supreme Court clarifies party-list delisting under RA 7941: two separate grounds, cannot be combined; abandons Minero ruling.
Protecting the Right to Vote: Domicile and Voter Registration in the Philippines
The Supreme Court protects voter registration rights, ruling that domicile, not technicalities, determines a citizen's right to vote.
Entrapment or Illegal Inducement: The Fine Line in Buy-Bust Operations
The Supreme Court clarifies when a buy-bust operation is valid entrapment versus instigation, and why the chain of custody still matters.
Acquittal in Drug Case: Why Broken Chain of Custody Fatal to Prosecution
Supreme Court acquits drug suspect where police failed to inventory, photograph, and preserve seized shabu, breaking the chain of custody.
Breach of Public Trust: Accountability for Mismanaged Court Funds in the Philippines
The Supreme Court affirms COA's power to disallow irregular allowances and expenses of government officials, upholding public purpose requirements.
Breach of Trust Employee Dismissal Upheld for Unauthorized Sale of Company Assets
Supreme Court rules on when unauthorized disposal of company property justifies dismissal for serious misconduct and loss of trust.
Sheriffs' Duty of Care in Implementing Writs: Lessons from Tomboc v. Velasco
When a sheriff demolishes the wrong property, who pays? The Supreme Court clarifies sheriffs' duty of diligence in writ implementation.
Trust Receipts vs Loan Agreements: When Misuse of Funds Is Not Estafa
The Supreme Court clarifies when a trust receipt arrangement is actually a simple loan, and why criminal liability for estafa does not follow.