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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Belated Appeal in Criminal Cases: Finality of Judgment and the Right to Appeal
A belated notice of appeal in a criminal case results in finality of judgment. This article explains the rules and exceptions.
Doubt in Drug Cases: How Evidence Tampering Can Overturn a Conviction
When seized drugs weigh less at the lab than at inventory, reasonable doubt arises. The Supreme Court explains why.
Contract to Sell: Full Compliance Required Before Seller Must Convey Property
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that buyers under a contract to sell must fully comply with all obligations—not just payment—before demanding a deed of sale.
Voice Recognition as Positive Identification in Philippine Rape Cases
How voice recognition helped convict a rapist whose face was covered, and what this means for Philippine criminal law.
Attorney's Negligence Leads to Suspension: Upholding Diligence in Legal Representation
Supreme Court suspends lawyer for five years for gross negligence in criminal defense, reaffirming counsel's duty of diligence and fidelity to clients.
Judicial Independence: No CSC Clearance Required for Retiring Judiciary Employees
The Supreme Court rules that retiring judiciary employees need not secure CSC clearance for administrative cases, upholding judicial independence.
Guilty Pleas and Kidnapping for Ransom: The Improvident Plea Doctrine in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains when a guilty plea to a capital offense is improvident, and how independent evidence can still sustain a conviction.
Demurrer to Evidence and Conspiracy in Anti-Graft Cases: Singian Jr. v. Sandiganbayan
Explaining when a demurrer to evidence may be denied in anti-graft cases, and how conspiracy can be inferred from circumstantial evidence.
Local Government Authority vs Property Rights: Valid Ordinance Enforcement
Supreme Court clarifies when local ordinances are presumed valid and enforceable, balancing municipal authority against property rights claims.
Demurrer to Evidence Denials and the Limits of Certiorari in Anti-Graft Cases
When can a denied demurrer to evidence be overturned? The Supreme Court clarifies the high bar of grave abuse of discretion.
Foreign Land Ownership: No Reimbursement for Unconstitutional Purchases
A foreigner who knowingly violates the constitutional ban on land ownership cannot recover the purchase price, even under equity or unjust enrichment claims.
Breach of Trust Justifying Dismissal for Supervisors in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when supervisors may be validly dismissed for loss of trust and confidence, applying the totality of infractions rule.
Chain of Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence and Ensuring Fair Trials
The Supreme Court clarifies that minor lapses in drug evidence handling do not automatically invalidate a conviction if the chain of custody remains intact.
Upholding Justiciable Controversy: The Human Security Act and Limits of Declaratory Relief
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may hear constitutional challenges to the Human Security Act, emphasizing the need for actual, ripe controversies.
CARP Exemption for Livestock Farms: Proof Must Be Exclusive and Timely
Landowners seeking CARP exemption for livestock raising must prove exclusive use as of June 15, 1988, not just belated claims.
Protecting Possessory Rights When A Writ Of Possession Clashes With Third Party Claims
Understand how Philippine courts resolve property disputes when a writ of possession faces third-party claims, based on a landmark Supreme Court ruling.
Exemption From CARP Coverage: Proving Exclusive Livestock Use Under RA 6657
The Supreme Court clarifies when agricultural lands may be exempt from agrarian reform coverage for livestock raising under RA 6657.
Upholding Agrarian Reform Land Use and CARP Exemption Requirements
The Supreme Court clarifies when agricultural lands can be exempt from CARP coverage, emphasizing exclusive livestock use as of June 15, 1988.
Exemption from CARP Coverage: Proof of Exclusive Livestock Use Required
A landowner claiming exemption from agrarian reform must prove exclusive livestock use as of June 15, 1988. The Supreme Court clarifies the evidentiary standard in DAR v. BATCO.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Intimidation Overcomes Lack of Physical Resistance
Philippine Supreme Court rules that intimidation, not physical resistance, is key in rape cases, upholding a conviction based on a knife threat.
Taxpayer Standing in Philippine Law: Protecting Public Funds Through Legal Action
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling in Remulla v. Maliksi on taxpayer standing to challenge government contracts and protect public funds.
Credibility of Rape Victim Testimony Overcoming Recantations and Delay in Reporting
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why a rape victim's credible testimony prevails despite delayed reporting and claims of consent.
The Weight of Witness Testimony: Conviction on Circumstantial Evidence in Rape Cases
How Philippine courts weigh witness credibility and circumstantial evidence in rape convictions, explained through a 2013 Supreme Court ruling.
When Rape Absorbs Forcible Abduction: A Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court explains when forcible abduction is absorbed by rape, and why the sweetheart defense failed in this case.