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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VAT vs Amusement Tax: What Cinema Operators Should Know
The Supreme Court ruled cinema ticket sales are subject to local amusement tax, not VAT. Learn the key points.
Status Quo Orders in Election Protests: COMELEC’s Power to Enjoin Execution Pending Appeal
Learn how the Supreme Court affirmed COMELEC’s authority to maintain status quo and stop execution pending appeal in election protests.
Cooperative Fees Supreme Court Limits Exemptions In Foreclosure Proceedings
Supreme Court clarifies that cooperatives' exemption from court fees under the Cooperative Code does not apply to extrajudicial foreclosure petitions.
Jurisdiction vs Finality: Balancing Labor Rights and Procedural Rules
A Supreme Court ruling on when alleged lack of jurisdiction can—and cannot—be raised to overturn a final labor order.
Smoking Ban Enforcement: When Rules Fail to Designate Smoking Areas
A Supreme Court ruling on smoking in stairwells shows why workplace smoking bans must designate where employees can legally smoke.
Higher Standard of Care for Gun Store Owners: Pacis v. Morales
Gun store owners owe a higher duty of care. The Supreme Court explains liability for accidental shootings under quasi-delict rules.
Eminent Domain Revisited: When Expropriated Land Must Be Returned After Public Use Ceases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when former owners can reclaim expropriated property if the public purpose is abandoned or never pursued.
Gun Store Owners' Negligence Liability for Accidental Shooting Ruled by Supreme Court
Supreme Court holds gun store owner liable for negligence after defective firearm left loaded in unlocked drawer causes fatal accidental shooting.
Buy-Bust Operations: Consistent Police Testimony Upheld in Drug Conviction
The Supreme Court affirms drug convictions based on consistent police testimony in buy-bust operations, clarifying evidentiary standards under RA 9165.
Ombudsman Decisions and the Limits of Appeal in Administrative Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when Ombudsman rulings become final and unappealable, and why the Court of Appeals cannot touch a one-month suspension order.
Mayor's Permit Modification vs. Freedom of Assembly: The IBP v. Atienza Ruling
When can a mayor change a rally venue? The Supreme Court explains the limits of permit-modifying discretion under the Public Assembly Act.
Streamlining Justice: When Ombudsman Orders Are Final and Unappealable
Learn when Ombudsman decisions become final and unappealable in administrative cases, and why the Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals.
Buy-Bust Operations: Proving Illegal Drug Sale and Possession Beyond Reasonable Doubt
A Supreme Court ruling affirms that buy-bust operations can establish both illegal drug sale and possession, and explains what evidence courts require for conviction.
Second Placer Doctrine: Disqualification Must Be Final Before Election Day
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a candidate disqualified only after elections cannot be replaced by the second placer; succession rules apply instead.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Broken Evidence Links Mean Acquittal
The Supreme Court acquits in People v. Suan due to broken chain of custody and unproven drug identity—key lessons for drug case litigation.
Reconstitution of Titles: Strict Compliance and Jurisdictional Requirements in Land Registration
The Supreme Court clarifies that petitions for reconstitution of lost Torrens titles require strict compliance with jurisdictional requirements under RA 26.
Judicial Accountability: Charges Dismissed Absent Bad Faith or Undue Delay
The Supreme Court dismissed administrative charges against a CA justice, ruling that bad faith is required for gross ignorance and no undue delay was incurred.
Dismissal of Administrative Charges Against CA Justice for Lack of Bad Faith and Harassment
Supreme Court dismisses administrative complaint against CA Justice Pizarro, ruling charges lacked bad faith and were meant to harass.
Probable Cause and Search Warrants: Safeguarding Property Rights in Seizures
The Supreme Court clarifies probable cause standards for search warrants, balancing law enforcement with constitutional property rights.
Command Responsibility and the Writ of Amparo: Clarifying the Scope of Protection
The Supreme Court clarifies that command responsibility has little bearing in amparo proceedings, which determine accountability, not criminal liability.
Confessions to Media and Circumstantial Evidence in Robbery With Homicide Cases
Supreme Court ruling on when media confessions and circumstantial evidence suffice to convict in robbery with homicide cases.
COMELEC En Banc Acts Without Jurisdiction in Election Appeal: Eriguel v. COMELEC
Supreme Court nullifies COMELEC en banc ruling in mayoralty protest for lack of jurisdiction and failure to ensure ballot integrity.
Filling Sanggunian Vacancies: The Strict Rules on Party Nomination and Membership
Supreme Court clarifies that filling Sanggunian vacancies requires bona fide party membership and nomination from the highest party official.
Electoral Integrity: COMELEC Division Authority and Ballot Preservation in Election Protests
A 2010 Supreme Court ruling on COMELEC division jurisdiction, ballot integrity, and the proper conduct of election protests.