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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Nepotism, Falsification, and Public Trust: Lessons from a Municipal Court's Administrative Cases
The Supreme Court's consolidated ruling on a judge and court personnel clarifies ethical boundaries in government service.
Supreme Court on Quasi-Delict Negligence in Vehicular Accidents: Subrogation and Vicarious Liability
The Supreme Court affirms insurer's subrogation claim, ruling on negligence, proximate cause, and vicarious liability in a vehicular accident case.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Consensual Sex Defense Needs Corroboration, Victim's Injuries Speak Volumes
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, ruling that the defense of consensual sex requires corroboration and that a victim's injuries corroborate the charge.
Psychological Abuse via Facebook Conviction Upheld with Higher Cybercrime Penalty
Supreme Court affirms conviction for psychological abuse via Facebook posts, imposing higher penalty under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
Lost on Technicalities: Why Missing Deadlines Can Doom Your Philippine Tax Appeal
A Supreme Court ruling shows how procedural lapses and missed deadlines can derail appeals, even on the merits. Learn the rules.
Understanding Statutory Rape and Qualified Rape in the Philippines: Insights from Arpon v. People
The Supreme Court's Arpon ruling clarifies statutory rape, qualified rape, and the need to prove each charge separately.
Probating Foreign Wills in the Philippines: A Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to probate a foreign will in the Philippines, including the legal requirements, court process, and practical steps for heirs and executors.
When a General Manager Is Not a Corporate Officer: Jurisdiction Over Illegal Dismissal Claims
The Supreme Court clarifies when a corporate officer is really an employee, and who has jurisdiction over dismissal disputes.
When Strikes Go Wrong: Illegal Dismissals and Union Security Clauses in the Philippines
Learn when terminating employees for union disloyalty is illegal, based on a Philippine Supreme Court ruling on certification elections and union security.
Union Security Clauses and the Freedom Period: When Dismissal for Disloyalty Fails
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that signing a certification election petition during the freedom period is not union disloyalty justifying dismissal.
Government Employee Rights: Security of Tenure and Due Process in Revenue Target-Based Attrition
The Supreme Court upheld the Attrition Act's constitutionality, clarifying that revenue target-based removal of BIR and BOC employees does not violate security of tenure or due process.
When Court Errors Are Judicial, Not Administrative: Lessons from Tallado v. Racoma
The Supreme Court dismisses an administrative complaint against two RTC judges, clarifying that judicial errors must be challenged through appeals, not disciplinary cases.
Moral Integrity in Public Service: Court Employee Sanctioned for Immoral Conduct
Court interpreter fined P50,000 for illicit affair with married man. Resignation does not erase administrative liability in the judiciary.
Judicial Ethics: Sheriff Dismissed for Accepting Payoffs in Landmark Philippine Ruling
Supreme Court dismisses deputy sheriff for accepting kickbacks from a newspaper publisher in exchange for judicial notice assignments, reaffirming strict ethics for court personnel.
Psychological Incapacity in Philippine Annulment Cases: Why Expert Testimony Matters
Learn how Philippine courts treat psychological incapacity in annulment cases and why expert testimony can make or break your case.
Nogales v. People: When Obscene Files in Computers Are Forfeited Even Without Conviction
Supreme Court rules hard disks containing obscene materials are forfeited and destroyed under P.D. 969 even if criminal case is dismissed.
Illegal Dismissal vs Abandonment: Supreme Court Clarifies Employer's Burden of Proof
The Supreme Court clarifies the burden of proof in illegal dismissal cases and what constitutes abandonment of work.
Ethical Boundaries for Court Employees: Simple Misconduct in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling on simple misconduct shows why court employees face exacting moral standards even in private life.
Just Compensation in Expropriation: Upholding Fair Market Value for Property Owners
Philippine Supreme Court affirms that just compensation in expropriation is based on fair market value, not tax or zonal valuations alone.
Probationary Employee Rights: When Misclassification Makes You Regular From Day One
Learn how the Supreme Court protects probationary employees from unfair dismissal and when lack of clear standards makes you a regular employee.
When an Acquittal Stands: Double Jeopardy and the Private Complainant’s Limited Role in Criminal Appeals
Explaining why an acquittal is final, who may appeal a criminal case, and the limits of a private complainant’s participation under Philippine law.
Workplace Firearm Negligence: Understanding Simple Neglect of Duty in Philippine Law
When a security guard's service pistol accidentally fires at work, Philippine law may hold him liable for simple neglect of duty—here's why.
Accountability in Public Office: Understanding Malversation of Public Funds in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains the elements of malversation of public funds and why restitution does not erase criminal liability for accountable officers.
Timely Transcript Submission: Court Stenographer Suspended for Delayed TSNs
Supreme Court suspends court stenographer for chronic TSN delays, underscoring that efficiency and compliance with Administrative Circular No. 24-90 are mandatory in the judiciary.