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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Divorce Decree Recognition in Bigamy Cases: Strict Proof Required
A foreign divorce decree does not automatically dissolve a marriage in the Philippines. Learn what proof is required to avoid bigamy conviction.
Constructive Dismissal Employers Burden TO Prove Fair Treatment AND Contractual Obligations
Learn the requisites for preliminary injunction in the Philippines and why disputed rights and compensable damages defeat the remedy.
Contractor Relationships and the Test for Employer Liability in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the control test for employer liability in contractor relationships, and the duties of lawyers and notaries.
When a Crime Becomes More Than the Sum of Its Parts: Complex Crimes in Philippine Law
A drug case acquittal shows how the Supreme Court treats procedural lapses in buy-bust operations, and what that means for criminal liability in the Philippines.
When Trespassers Meet Prior Court Rulings Understanding Property Rights IN THE Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts handle property disputes involving trespassers and prior rulings, and what it means for landowners.
Correcting Civil Registry Entries: Name and Sex Amendments in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when name and sex corrections in birth certificates are clerical errors under Rule 108, not changes of name.
Disobeying Court Orders: Consequences for Lawyers in the Philippines
A lawyer who uses dilatory tactics to delay execution of a final judgment faces suspension. Learn from Atty. Mallari's case.
Unlawful Detainer in the Philippines: Why Lawful Entry at the Start Matters
The Supreme Court in Bugayong-Santiago v. Bugayong explains why an unlawful detainer case fails when the occupant's entry was illegal from the beginning.
Unlawful Restraint: The Essential Elements of Serious Illegal Detention in the Philippines
Understand the elements of serious illegal detention under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code, explained through a recent Supreme Court ruling.
When a Cashier’s Actions Justify Dismissal for Loss of Trust in the Philippines
A cashier’s failure to deposit checks on due dates can be valid grounds for dismissal for loss of trust and confidence in Philippine labor law.
Insanity Defense Clear Proof Required For Exemption From Criminal Liability In The Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that the insanity defense requires clear and convincing proof of cognitive impairment at the time of the crime.
Forum Shopping in the Philippines: What the Zamora Case Teaches Litigants
Learn how the Supreme Court defines and penalizes forum shopping, and what the Zamora ruling means for litigants filing multiple cases.
Spousal Consent and Mortgage Validity: Protecting Conjugal Property Rights in the Philippines
A spouse cannot mortgage conjugal property without the other's written consent. The Supreme Court explains the consequences in Boston Equity v. Del Rosario.
Reconstitution of Lost Titles: Proving Clear and Convincing Evidence in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies the strict evidentiary standard for reconstituting lost or destroyed land titles under Republic Act No. 26.
Workplace Conduct: Upholding Decorum Among Court Employees in the Philippines
The Supreme Court reminds court personnel that professionalism and decorum are non-negotiable, fining two employees for a workplace altercation.
Maintaining Decorum: Workplace Altercations and the Duty of Court Employees in the Philippines
The Supreme Court fined two court employees for a workplace altercation, reaffirming that decorum and professionalism are non-negotiable in the judiciary.
When an Employer Fails to Provide Work: Constructive Dismissal in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when an employer's failure to give work assignments amounts to illegal constructive dismissal, and what workers must prove.
Breach of Express Warranty When Road Widening Impacts Property Sales in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that express warranties in deeds of sale differ from implied warranty against eviction, entitling buyer to refund.
Breach of Trust: Legal Consequences of Stepparent Rape in the Philippines
A stepfather's rape of his minor stepdaughter is qualified rape, warranting reclusion perpetua without parole. This case explains the law.
Misconduct vs Termination: Balancing Employee Rights and Employer Authority in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when employee misconduct justifies termination, and when it does not, in Fabricator Philippines v. Estolas.
Simulated Contracts: When Property Transfers Are Void in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when a simulated contract is void, not merely rescissible, using a P50-million property assignment case.
Election Overspending: When Party Membership Limits Campaign Spending in the Philippines
Supreme Court clarifies that party membership alone restricts candidates to the P3.00 per voter spending cap under RA 7166.
Perfecting Imperfect Titles: Open Possession and Land Registration in the Philippines
How the Supreme Court ruled that long, open possession of land can be confirmed as title, even without a DENR certification.