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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Civil Liability Despite Acquittal: Quasi-Contracts and Unjust Enrichment in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains when an acquittal in a criminal case does not erase civil liability, citing quasi-contracts and solutio indebiti.
Falsification vs Misappropriation: When Paper Renewal Justifies Dismissal
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a salesman's "paper renewal" amounts to falsification warranting dismissal, and when it does not.
Untimely Appeal Delivery to Courier Not Considered Filing Date in Labor Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies that in labor appeals, delivery to a private courier does not count as filing; only actual receipt by NLRC matters.
Tax Evasion vs Deficiency: When Criminal Charges Can Proceed Without Prior Assessment
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when the BIR can file criminal tax evasion charges without a prior formal assessment, distinguishing deficiency assessments from criminal prosecution.
Delivery in Sales Contracts: Ownership vs Possession and Prescription Periods
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that mere possession transfer isn't?
Actual Malice and Media Responsibility in Reporting on Public Figures
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that public figures must prove actual malice to claim damages for false news reports.
Navigating Mining Disputes When DO Courts NOT Mining Agencies Decide
The Supreme Court clarifies when regular courts, not the Panel of Arbitrators, have jurisdiction over mining-related contract disputes under the Philippine Mining Act.
Novation Must Be Clear: Restructuring Agreements Do Not Automatically Extinguish Prior Obligations
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when debt restructuring novates an obligation and when it merely modifies the original agreement.
Resolving Jurisdictional Conflicts Concurrent Jurisdiction VS Forum Shopping IN Intra Corporate Disputes
Learn how Philippine courts handle overlapping jurisdiction and forum shopping in intra-corporate disputes, based on a 2009 Supreme Court ruling.
Stevedores and the Duty of Care: When Cargo Damage Is Not Negligence
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that stevedores owe ordinary diligence, not the higher standard of common carriers, in loading and stowing cargo.
Double Sale: Good Faith Registration Prevails Over Prior Knowledge in Land Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies double sale rule: bad faith registration confers no right, even if registered first.
Filing a Baseless Suit Does Not Automatically Mean Paying Damages: Delos Santos v. Papa
The Supreme Court clarifies that losing a lawsuit does not automatically entitle the winning party to moral and exemplary damages.
Safeguarding Rights Illegal Drug Conviction Overturned Due to Evidence Chain Break
Philippine Supreme Court acquits drug suspect when police break chain of custody, reinforcing that evidence integrity is vital to conviction.
When Lawyers Draft Illegal Lease Contracts: The Hontanosas Case on Foreign Land Leases
A lawyer who drafts and notarizes lease contracts exceeding legal limits for aliens faces suspension, as the Supreme Court ruled in Kupers v. Hontanosas.
Chain of Custody Imperative Safeguarding Drug Evidence in Philippine Law
Why the Supreme Court acquitted a drug suspect when police failed to follow Section 21 chain of custody rules under RA 9165.
When Courts Can Take Judicial Notice of Industry Practice in Labor Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies judicial notice limits, independent contractor tests, and abandonment rules in South Davao Development Co. v. Gamo.
Double Sale and Good Faith Registration: Pagaduan v. Ocuma on Property Rights
Explore how the Supreme Court ruled on double sale, good faith registration, and prescription in Pagaduan v. Ocuma.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Upholding Convictions in Child Sexual Abuse Cases
The Supreme Court affirms the conviction of a father for nine counts of statutory rape against his young daughters, clarifying evidentiary rules.
Intersection Collisions and Driver Negligence: Who Has the Right of Way in the Philippines?
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies right of way rules, driver negligence, and fault in intersection collisions under RA 4136.
Sellers Obligation Delivering Titles Despite Encumbrances IN Philippine Property LAW
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on subdivision sellers' duty to deliver clean titles despite encumbrances, and buyer remedies.
Assignee's Rights Determine Court Jurisdiction in Construction Contract Disputes
Supreme Court rules that an assignee's claim over retention money is not a construction dispute, so regular courts, not CIAC, have jurisdiction.
Accountability for Deadly Assault: Distinguishing Frustrated Homicide from Murder Through Intent and Circumsta
The Supreme Court clarifies when a near-fatal bolo attack is frustrated homicide versus murder, and how intent and treachery are proven.
When Courts Can Relax Filing Deadlines: Hierarchy of Courts and Final Judgments
The Supreme Court clarifies when direct recourse to it is allowed, and why final judgments cannot be set aside by belated claims of indigenous status.
Just Cause vs Due Process: What Bacolod-Talisay Realty Teaches About Employee Dismissal
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on dismissal with just cause but defective procedure, explaining nominal damages for employees.