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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Attorney Suspended for Neglect of Duty and Disregard of IBP Orders
A lawyer who neglects a client's appeal and ignores IBP directives faces a one-year suspension, reminding attorneys of their duties.
Dishonesty in Public Service: Misuse of Government Resources and Retirement's Effect on Administrative Cases
Supreme Court rules retirement does not end administrative liability for dishonesty and misuse of government resources in Ombudsman v. Dechavez.
Due Process in Administrative Dismissals: Balancing Fairness and Efficiency
The Supreme Court clarifies what procedural due process truly requires in administrative dismissals, using the Vivo v. PAGCOR case as a guide.
Breach of Trust: Dismissal for Dishonesty in Handling Court Funds
A Supreme Court ruling shows why court clerks who misappropriate judiciary funds face dismissal, even with restitution and mitigating circumstances.
Preliminary Injunctions and Ombudsman Decisions: The Gabuya Case on Due Process
The Supreme Court clarifies when preliminary injunctions may stop Ombudsman dismissal orders and the consequences of forum shopping.
Cessation of Aggression Imperative for Valid Self-Defense Claims in Parricide Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies that self-defense fails once unlawful aggression ceases, as in this parricide conviction.
Parental Authority vs Incestuous Rape: Moral Ascendancy and Victim Testimony in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on incestuous rape, moral ascendancy, and the weight of a victim's credible testimony in criminal cases.
Accountability Endures: Fiscal Responsibility in the Philippine Judiciary Even Post Mortem
A lawyer who sexually harasses a client faces suspension. The Court clarifies accountability and professional conduct standards.
Sexual Harassment by a Lawyer: When Misconduct Erodes Client Trust
A lawyer who sexually harasses a client faces suspension. The Supreme Court explains why such conduct betrays the profession's core values.
Guilt Beyond Doubt: Circumstantial Evidence in Philippine Murder Convictions
The Supreme Court affirms murder convictions based on circumstantial evidence, explaining when such evidence suffices to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Right to Match in Government Contracts: When Bidding Preferences Violate Public Policy
Supreme Court rules right of first refusal clauses in government procurement contracts are void, reaffirming public bidding as the cornerstone of public contracts.
Local Government Authority vs Property Rights: Valid Ordinance Enforcement
Supreme Court clarifies when local ordinances are presumed valid and enforceable, balancing municipal authority against property rights claims.
Protecting Possessory Rights When A Writ Of Possession Clashes With Third Party Claims
Understand how Philippine courts resolve property disputes when a writ of possession faces third-party claims, based on a landmark Supreme Court ruling.
Secretary's Certificate as Proof of Corporate Authority in Philippine Litigation
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a secretary's certificate suffices to prove corporate authority to file pleadings, and the duties of plaintiffs in pre-trial.
Judicial Efficiency and Accountability: The Consequences of Undue Delay and Neglect of Duty by Judges
A Supreme Court ruling on a judge fined P40,000 for gross inefficiency and gross ignorance of the law underscores judicial accountability.
Breach of Trust When Good Faith Fails in Public Office
A governor's conviction for violating RA 3019 shows that reliance on officials' assurances does not excuse sidestepping procurement rules.
Zoning Laws and Agrarian Reform: When Local Ordinances Conflict With National Land Policy
When local zoning reclassifies agricultural land, approval by the HLURB is required—otherwise, CARP coverage still applies.
Judicial Efficiency vs Due Process: Striking a Balance in Administrative Cases
The Supreme Court absolves a judge of administrative liability, clarifying the balance between judicial efficiency and due process rights.
When Post-Employment Death Isn't Necessarily Non-Compensable: Establishing Causation in Seafarer Benefit Claim
A seafarer's death after repatriation may be compensable, but only with substantial evidence of work-related causation, not mere presumption.
When a Torrens Title Is Questioned: VSD Realty v. Uniwide and the Remand for Fact-Finding
The Supreme Court remanded a decades-old land dispute to the Court of Appeals to determine which of two conflicting titles traces back to the genuine OCT No. 994.
Union Security Clauses: Balancing Union Rights and Employee Protection in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on union security clauses, expulsion, due process, and unfair labor practice claims.
Upholding Client Loyalty Disciplinary Action FOR Attorneys Representing Conflicting Interests IN THE Philippin
A lawyer cannot represent opposing clients even in unrelated cases. The Supreme Court explains the rule on conflicting interests and its consequences.
Due Process Prevails: Protecting the Rights of Unheard Parties in Property Disputes
A property buyer not impleaded in a prior case cannot be bound by its ruling. The Supreme Court affirms the right to due process in separate actions.
Due Process and Party-List Disqualification: Senior Citizens Case
The Supreme Court ruled that COMELEC cannot cancel a party-list group's registration without due notice and hearing.