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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When Attorney's Fees Are Not Automatic: The Rule of Article 2208
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may award attorney's fees under Article 2208 of the Civil Code, requiring clear factual and legal justification.
Teacher Discipline and Due Process: Grave Misconduct in Philippine Schools
A teacher's physical punishment of a student constitutes grave misconduct, but mitigating factors can temper the penalty of dismissal.
Publication Requirement Prevails: Unpublished Handwritten Addendum Has No Legal Effect
Supreme Court rules unpublished handwritten addendum to a presidential proclamation has no force of law, reaffirming the indispensable publication requirement.
Bona Fide Purchase Prevails Protecting Innocent Buyers in Land Disputes
Learn how the Supreme Court protected an innocent purchaser for value from a DARAB decision that sought to cancel its Torrens titles.
The Testimony of a Minor as Sufficient Proof in Statutory Rape Cases
The Supreme Court affirms that a minor's credible testimony alone can prove statutory rape, even without medical evidence of injury.
Publication Requirement: Handwritten Amendments to Presidential Proclamations
Philippine Supreme Court rules that handwritten addenda to presidential proclamations have no legal effect unless published in the Official Gazette.
Statutory Rape and Credibility: What People v. Piosang Teaches Philippine Litigants
A child rape conviction shows how Philippine courts weigh a young victim's testimony, reject alibi, and fix penalties and damages under the Revised Penal Code.
Chain OF Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence IN Philippine LAW 7
Academic Freedom and Ethical Standards: Selling Books to Students as Conduct Prejudicial to Service
A professor's sale of books to her own students was upheld as conduct prejudicial to service, clarifying limits of academic freedom.
Attorney’s Fees in the Philippines: When Courts Can Award Them
Philippine courts cannot award attorney's fees without clear justification. Learn the rules under Article 2208 of the Civil Code.
Erosion of Public Trust: Dismissal for Graft and Corruption in the Judiciary
A process server's dismissal for soliciting money from litigants underscores the strict accountability of court personnel in the Philippines.
Unsatisfactory Performance: When Two Consecutive Bad Ratings Justify Dropping from the Rolls
The Supreme Court explains when two consecutive unsatisfactory performance ratings justify dropping a court employee from the rolls.
Contract to Sell: Seller's Right to Rescind and Recover Property Ownership
When a buyer covertly transfers title before full payment in a contract to sell, the seller may rescind and recover ownership.
Positive Identification Prevails Over Alibi in Criminal Prosecution
Supreme Court affirms conviction based on credible eyewitness identification, rejecting alibi and denial defenses in murder case.
Security of Tenure Prevails: Tenant Rights in Agrarian Ejectment Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on tenant security of tenure, ejectment grounds, and procedural rules in agrarian disputes.
Waiver of Demand and Interest Rate Limits in Philippine Loan Agreements
The Supreme Court clarifies when demand is unnecessary before default and why courts reduce excessive stipulated interest rates.
Separation Pay and Due Process in Valid Dismissals: Lessons from Unilever v. Rivera
The Supreme Court clarifies when separation pay is due to validly dismissed employees and the procedural due process required in termination cases.
Separation Pay After Valid Dismissal: When Social Justice Does Not Apply
The Supreme Court clarifies when a validly dismissed employee may still receive separation pay, and when social justice arguments fail.
Public Space vs Private Gain: When Loan Agreements Undermine Public Land Rights
Supreme Court rules loans secured by public plaza are void; public dominion property cannot be collateralized for commercial ventures.
Entrapment vs. Instigation: Safeguards Against Illegal Drug Sale Convictions
Explaining the difference between entrapment and instigation in buy-bust operations, and when courts may acquit in drug cases.
Motion for Reconsideration Cannot Raise New Issues, High Court Rules
Supreme Court reiterates that new arguments raised for the first time in a motion for reconsideration are deemed waived, affirming finality of judgments.
Possession vs Ownership: Resolving Ejectment Disputes Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that in unlawful detainer cases, courts may provisionally rule on ownership to determine who has the right to possess property.
Judicial Overreach Limits on Agrarian Reform Adjudicators and Due Process
A lawyer-adjudicator's suspension for issuing writs of possession before an appealed order became final, violating due process and DARAB rules.
Possession vs Ownership in Ejectment Cases: The Rule on Supervening Events
Learn how the Supreme Court treats claims of ownership acquired after an unlawful detainer judgment, and why possession remains the sole issue in ejectment cases.