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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Delayed Remittance of Judiciary Funds: Accountability of Court Personnel Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies that delayed remittance of court collections is neglect of duty, even if shortages are later fully restituted.
Court Employees Must Remit Judiciary Funds on Time: Full Restitution Does Not Erase Liability
Learn why a court employee who fully repaid missing funds still faced a P10,000 fine for delayed remittance of judiciary collections.
Self-Defense vs Homicide: Understanding Criminal Intent in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense fails and homicide stands, explaining unlawful aggression, dying declarations, and criminal liability.
Mortgagee in Good Faith Doctrine Protects Banks Despite Simulated Property Sales
Philippine Supreme Court rules banks can retain mortgage rights even when mortgagors' titles trace back to simulated sales, if bank acted in good faith.
Judicial Accountability: The Consequences of Undue Delay in Resolving Cases
A judge's failure to resolve a motion within 90 days is gross inefficiency. The Supreme Court explains the consequences.
Jurisdiction Defined: Mixed Questions of Law and Fact in Appeals
The Supreme Court clarifies when an appeal raises mixed questions of law and fact, and why jurisdiction depends on the nature of the issues raised.
Default Orders and Procedural Compliance: The Limits of Technical Objections
Understand when a technical defect in service of pleadings can—and cannot—justify setting aside a default order in Philippine civil procedure.
Unraveling Sequestration When Government Claims Meet Private Property Rights IN THE Philippines
The Supreme Court upheld key provisions of the Migrant Workers Act, including illegal recruitment penalties and the joint liability rule for corporate officers.
Protecting Voter Intent: Counting Votes for Bona Fide Candidates Over Nuisance Candidates
The Supreme Court ruled votes for nuisance candidates with names similar to bona fide candidates must be counted for the legitimate candidate, protecting voter intent.
Protecting OFWs: Examining the Constitutionality of the Migrant Workers Act
The Supreme Court upheld key provisions of the Migrant Workers Act, affirming the State's power to protect overseas Filipino workers.
Order of Battle and the Writ of Amparo: Proving a Real Threat to Life, Liberty, and Security
The Supreme Court clarifies when inclusion in a military Order of Battle amounts to a real threat warranting amparo protection.
When Election Irregularities Meet Mootness: Annulment of Proclamation and the Imperative of an Actual Controve
Explore Quiño v. COMELEC, where the Supreme Court dismissed an election case as moot after a re-canvass, explaining why actual controversies matter.
Suffrage and Procedure: Upholding the Electorate’s Will Despite Technicalities in Election Protests
The Supreme Court ruled that votes for a nuisance candidate with a similar surname must be counted for the bona fide candidate, protecting voter intent.
Gross Negligence of Counsel Can Reopen Litigation to Protect Due Process
When counsel's gross negligence denies a client his day in court, the litigation may be reopened to protect due process.
Psychological Incapacity Evidentiary Standards for Marriage Nullity in the Philippines
Learn the evidentiary standards for proving psychological incapacity in Philippine marriage nullity cases, explained through the Mendoza ruling.
Probate of Wills in the Philippines: When Attestation Clause Errors Are Fatal
Philippine Supreme Court explains when attestation clause defects invalidate a will, and when substantial compliance may save it.
Establishing Filiation: Clear and Convincing Evidence Required for Support Orders in the Philippines
Philippine courts require clear and convincing evidence to establish filiation for child support. Learn the legal standards and practical implications.
Agrarian Reform Abandonment Nullifies Redemption Rights Despite Equitable Mortgage
SC rules farmer-beneficiary's 11-year surrender of land to non-beneficiary is abandonment, forfeiting redemption rights under agrarian laws.
Excise Tax Refunds for Exported Goods: Who Can Claim Under the Tax Code
The Supreme Court clarifies that only the statutory taxpayer—not the buyer—may claim excise tax refunds on exported goods.
Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Rights Abandonment and Land Transfer Restrictions
Supreme Court ruling on when an agrarian reform beneficiary loses rights through land transfer and abandonment under P.D. 27 and R.A. 6657.
Psychological Incapacity vs Marital Discord: What the Supreme Court Requires Under Article 36
The Supreme Court clarifies that marital discord, infidelity, or abandonment is not enough to nullify a marriage under Article 36 of the Family Code.
Formal Will Requirements: Strict vs Substantial Compliance in Probate
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when defective attestation clauses invalidate wills, distinguishing strict from substantial compliance under Civil Code Articles 805 and 809.
Certiorari as a Substitute for Appeal: Navigating Procedural Deadlines in Expropriation Cases
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when courts may take judicial notice of land values and why the DAR formula must govern just compensation in agrarian expropriation.
Treachery and Self-Defense: Understanding Criminal Liability in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling explains when self-defense fails and treachery qualifies a killing as murder under Philippine law.