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 Illness Leads to Dismissal: Proving Abandonment in Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on illegal dismissal, abandonment of work, and employer's burden of proof in termination cases.
Basketball Governance Validating Membership FOR Voting Rights IN Sports Associations
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on membership validation as prerequisite to voting rights in sports associations, citing the BAP-SBP case.
Squatters Rights vs Absentee Landlords: Resolving Land Disputes in Urban Reform
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on absentee landowners vs renters in urban land reform, explaining who qualifies for lot awards under the Zonal Improvement Program.
Unregistered Land Sales: Why Registration Matters in Ownership Disputes
A Supreme Court ruling explains why an unregistered deed of sale cannot bind third parties in property disputes over unregistered land.
Eviction and Urban Land Reform: When Prior Rights Yield to New Ordinances
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when month-to-month leases end, and why new city ordinances and PD 1517 protections cannot stop a valid ejectment.
Foreclosure Rights vs BP 22: Understanding Creditors' Remedies and Their Limits
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that annulment of judgment is only for civil cases, not criminal convictions like swindling.
Annulment of Judgment in Criminal Cases: Llamas v. Court of Appeals
When can a criminal conviction be annulled? The Supreme Court clarifies Rule 47 applies only to civil cases, not criminal ones.
Jurisdiction in Swindling Cases: How Penalties Determine the Proper Court
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains how penalties and fines determine which court hears swindling cases under the Revised Penal Code.
Bigamy Conviction Upheld Despite Later Declaration of Nullity of First Marriage
A subsequent declaration that a first marriage was void does not erase criminal liability for bigamy contracted before that declaration.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Marking Evidence Matters
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police failed to mark seized shabu in his presence, explaining the chain of custody rule.
Pre-Existing Conditions and Seafarer Disability Claims Under the POEA Contract
Explaining when seafarers can claim disability benefits under the POEA Standard Contract, using the Supreme Court's ruling in Bandila Maritime v. Dubduban.
Judicial Ethics Upholding Impartiality IN THE Face OF Impropriety
Dismissal Based on Technicality When Courts Must Prioritize Justice Over Procedure
The Supreme Court relaxes procedural rules in labor cases to resolve the merits of an illegal dismissal dispute involving retirement age.
Lost Claim: Failure to Prove Open Possession Prevents Land Title Registration
Supreme Court denies land registration where applicant failed to prove open, continuous, exclusive possession since June 12, 1945.
Unlawful Detainer vs. Accion Publiciana: How Courts Determine Jurisdiction in Property Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when a case is unlawful detainer (MTC) or accion publiciana (RTC), based on the complaint's allegations.
Eyewitness Testimony and the Sanity Presumption in Murder Convictions
Supreme Court affirms murder conviction based on eyewitness identification, rejects insanity defense, and clarifies damages rules.
Balancing Efficiency and Discretion: Revisiting PHILJA Staffing Patterns
The Supreme Court clarifies when coterminous status is proper for confidential staff in the Philippine Judicial Academy's executive offices.
Credibility of Witnesses in Drug Cases: Inconsistencies and the Presumption of Regularity
The Supreme Court explains when minor inconsistencies in police testimony do not destroy credibility in buy-bust drug cases.
Judge Dismissed and Suspended from Law Practice for Marital Infidelity and Abandonment
Supreme Court dismisses a judge for gross immorality over an extramarital affair and child, suspending him from law practice for three years.
Supreme Court Ruling on Health Care Agreements and Documentary Stamp Tax: What It Means
The Supreme Court ruled that HMO health care agreements are not insurance contracts subject to documentary stamp tax under the National Internal Revenue Code.
Mission Orders and Firearm Permits: Clarifying the Scope of Authority for NBI Agents
Understand the Supreme Court's ruling on when security guards and agents may bear firearms during election periods without COMELEC permits.
Good Faith Prevails When Public Officials ACT Without Malice IN Granting Benefits
Supreme Court ruling on good faith as a defense in graft cases under RA 3019, Section 3(e), for public officials relying on agency issuances.
Tax Sales and Due Process: Why Registered Owners Must Be Notified in Philippine Property Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on tax sales, due process, and the registered owner's responsibility in property taxation.
Possession by Tolerance and Unlawful Detainer: Jurisdiction in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when possession by tolerance triggers unlawful detainer jurisdiction in the MTC, not the RTC.