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 a Lawyer's Private Misconduct Warrants Disbarment: The Arnobit Case
The Supreme Court disbarred a lawyer for abandoning his wife and children to cohabit with another woman, reaffirming that good moral character is a continuing requirement for the practice of law.
Full Market Value Required When Easement Impairs Land Use
Supreme Court rules NPC must pay full market value, not 10% easement fee, when transmission lines impair land use.
Seafarer Dismissal Upheld: Totality of Infractions and Due Process in Maritime Cases
Philippine Supreme Court upholds seafarer's dismissal based on totality of infractions, but awards nominal damages for lack of due process.
Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Minor Discrepancies Protecting Victims IN Custodial Situations
When Shipowner Negligence Sinks the Limited Liability Defense in Philippine Maritime Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when shipowners lose the limited liability rule due to actual negligence in cargo loss cases.
Procedural Compliance and Corporate Rehabilitation: Ensuring Fair Adjudication of Appeals
The Supreme Court reminds appellate courts that procedural rules serve justice, not frustrate it, in corporate rehabilitation appeals.
Retrenchment vs Retirement: When Separation Pay Bars Retirement Benefits
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when retrenched employees can claim retirement benefits on top of separation pay under the Labor Code and CBA.
Pharmacists' Negligence: The High Standard of Care in Dispensing Medicine
When a pharmacist gives the wrong medicine, that mistake is negligence. The Supreme Court explains the high standard of care for drugstores in Mercury Drug v. De Leon.
Parol Evidence Rule in Philippine Contracts: When Verbal Agreements Cannot Alter Written Terms
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when the parol evidence rule applies and why subsequent verbal agreements to modify written contracts require credible proof.
Concurrent Jurisdiction and Estoppel: Ombudsman vs. DepEd in Teacher Discipline
The Supreme Court clarifies the Ombudsman's concurrent jurisdiction over public school teachers and the estoppel bar against belated jurisdictional challenges.
Falsification of Documents and Dishonesty: Dismissal from Public Service
Supreme Court affirms dismissal of court employee for falsifying a CSC eligibility certificate and lying in his Personal Data Sheet.
Filing an Annulment Suit Does Not Extend the Redemption Period in Foreclosure
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies that filing an annulment suit does not stop the redemption period in extrajudicial foreclosure.
Donation Mortis Causa vs Inter Vivos: Understanding Estate Transfers in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a donation is mortis causa, not inter vivos, and why formalities of a will matter.
Intent to Gain in Robbery: When Helping a Neighbor Is Not a Crime
The Supreme Court acquitted a man of robbery for helping a neighbor move property, ruling that intent to gain must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Preventive Suspension of Public Officials: When a Case Becomes Moot
Explore when a challenge to preventive suspension becomes moot, using the Supreme Court's ruling in Radaza v. Court of Appeals.
Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies: Why Courts Defer to Agency Expertise
Philippine Supreme Court explains why courts dismiss cases filed before administrative appeals are exhausted, using Oporto v. NPC.
When a Wrong Remedy Costs an Appeal: The Deus v. People Doctrine on Liberal Construction
The Supreme Court reminds courts to relax procedural rules when an unrepresented accused files the wrong remedy, protecting the right to liberty.
Sheriffs Duty Proper Execution OF Writs AND Consequences OF Neglect
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on a sheriff's administrative liability for simple neglect of duty in executing writs.
Judicial Independence vs Ethical Boundaries: The Meralco-GSIS Case
The Supreme Court's ruling on CA justices in the Meralco-GSIS case clarifies the ethical limits of judicial independence and propriety.
Lease vs Land Reform: Tenant Rights to Crops and Improvements Under CARP
When the government acquires land under CARP, who owns the standing crops and improvements—the landowner or the tenant? The Supreme Court clarifies.
Exhaustion of Remedies and Forum Shopping: Lessons from Oporto v. NPC Board
Supreme Court ruling on exhaustion of administrative remedies, forum shopping, and due process in administrative cases against government employees.
Management Prerogative vs Constructive Dismissal: Balancing Employer Rights and Employee Protection
When does a job transfer amount to constructive dismissal? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of management prerogative in Bisig Manggagawa sa Tryco v. NLRC.
Peace vs. the Constitution: Delineating Executive Power in Ancestral Domain Agreements
The Supreme Court ruled the MOA-AD unconstitutional, limiting the executive's power to bind the state in peace agreements.
Water District Directors' Per Diems Are Their Only Compensation
The Supreme Court ruled that water district directors may receive only per diems under PD 198, but those who acted in good faith need not refund disallowed benefits.