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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Intelligence and Confidential Funds: Limits on Local Government Spending
The Supreme Court clarifies when local governments may use intelligence and confidential funds, and the liability of officials who misuse them.
Understanding the Consequences of Misappropriating Judicial Funds in the Philippines
A Philippine lawyer disbarred for misappropriating client funds in California faces the same fate here. Learn how reciprocal discipline works.
Rehabilitation Courts and Tax Disputes: The Power to Resolve Claims Tied to the Rehabilitation Plan
The Supreme Court clarifies when a rehabilitation court may resolve claims involving local tax disputes, distinguishing incidental claims from those requiring separate actions.
Cable TV Franchise Tax: What the New Vision Ruling Means for Operators
The Supreme Court ruled that NTC-issued certificates of authority are administrative franchises subject to local franchise tax under the Local Government Code.
Land Reclassification and Zoning Ordinances Prevail Over CARP Coverage
When a local government reclassifies land as non-agricultural before June 15, 1988, and the HLURB ratifies it, the property may be exempt from agrarian reform coverage.
Regulatory Fees vs Taxes: When Local Government Impositions Are Valid
The Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between regulatory fees and taxes in local ordinances, and the burden of proving invalidity.
Tuition Fee Increases and Employee Benefits: The Supreme Court's Ruling on Allocation of Incremental Proceeds
The Supreme Court clarifies that retirement plan contributions may be charged against the 70% tuition fee incremental proceeds under RA 6728.
Understanding CNA Benefits: Who Qualifies and the Consequences of Misallocation
The Supreme Court clarifies CNA incentive eligibility and the liability for granting benefits to non-qualified employees.
Local Business Tax Situs and Jurisdiction: Lessons from the Villanueva v. STEAG Case
Learn how the Supreme Court clarified local business tax situs and why appeals in local tax cases must go to the CTA, not the CA.
Racist Behavior as Serious Misconduct: What Ocampo v. International Ship Crew Management Means for Philippine
The Supreme Court ruled that a ship captain's racist treatment of crew members justifies dismissal for serious misconduct under Philippine labor law.
Navigating Corporate Disputes: Lawyer Responsibilities and Ethical Boundaries
A Supreme Court ruling on lawyer conduct in corporate board disputes, highlighting duties to courts and ethical limits of advocacy.
When Lawyers Cross the Line: The Limits of Advocacy in Corporate Disputes
A lawyer's duty to the court limits zeal for clients. The Supreme Court suspends counsel for evading a TRO in a corporate control fight.
Understanding Term Interruptions and the Three-Term Limit Rule for Local Officials
The Supreme Court explains when an Ombudsman dismissal interrupts a local official's term, resetting the three-term limit rule.
Administrative Liability and Business Permits: Lessons from the Kentex Fire Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when local officials may be held liable for issuing business permits without fire safety certificates.
When Presiding Officers Are Not Liable for Local Government Disallowances
The Supreme Court clarifies when a vice-governor as presiding officer may be held personally liable for a disallowed local government fund.
Notarial Duties and Document Integrity: Lessons from a Lawyer's Negligence
A lawyer's failure to record a notarized document in the notarial register leads to suspension and revocation of commission.
Residency Rules for Local Candidates: When Incumbency Defeats a Domicile Transfer Claim
The Supreme Court cancels a governor's COC for false residency declaration, clarifying when an incumbent mayor cannot claim a new domicile.
Local Tax Refund Requisites and Procedures for Contesting Assessments
Learn the requisites for local tax refunds and the proper procedure for contesting local tax assessments in the Philippines.
Navigating Labor Disputes: The Importance of Procedural Compliance in Philippine Employment Law
A look at Luces v. Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils., Inc., where the Supreme Court clarified labor-only contracting rules and the need for procedural compliance.
Probate of an Alien's Will in the Philippines: Nationality Principle Explained
Philippine courts can probate a foreigner's will executed in the Philippines. The nationality principle does not strip local courts of jurisdiction.
Understanding Dislocation Allowances Legal Insights AND Implications FOR Government Employees
The Supreme Court ruled on incentive allowances for government employees, clarifying limits under Philippine law on additional compensation.
Judicial Misconduct and the Consequences of Soliciting Bribes: A Landmark Ruling on Integrity in the Philippin
The Supreme Court's ruling in OCA v. Amor clarifies that resignation does not erase administrative liability for judicial misconduct like bribery.
Timely Communication and Professional Duties in Legal Practice: Lessons from Ocampo v. Lorica
A lawyer's failure to promptly notify a client of an adverse ruling led to a one-year suspension. Learn the ethical duties at stake.
One Vote, Unequal Weight: Party-List Seat Allocation and Equal Protection in Philippine Elections
The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the party-list seat allocation formula under RA 7941, rejecting claims of vote double-counting and equal protection violations.