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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Balancing Agrarian Reform: The SAC's Duty in Just Compensation Determination
A look at Land Bank v. Rivera, clarifying the court's role in valuing lands under PD 27 and the LBP's exemption from costs.
GSIS Pension Rights: Recovering Retirement Benefits After a Wrongful Denial
Learn how the Supreme Court protects government retirees' pension rights, even when GSIS initially approved benefits under the wrong law.
Clerk of Court Dismissed for Mishandling Court Funds: A Lesson in Accountability
The Supreme Court ruled on the severe consequences for clerks of court who mishandle judiciary funds, emphasizing their duty as custodians of public money.
Regular vs Project Employees: Security of Tenure in Philippine Labor Law
Supreme Court clarifies when project employees become regular employees entitled to security of tenure under Philippine labor law.
Upholding Decorum Court Employee Fined FOR Disrespect AND Violating Rules ON Transcript Fees
Unauthorized Absences and the Limits of Disciplinary Action: Protecting Employee Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on PLDT v. Teves clarifies when unauthorized absences justify dismissal and when they do not.
When Sheriffs Cross the Line: Execution Without a Demolition Order
A sheriff demolished a house using only a writ of execution, without a demolition order. The Supreme Court explains the limits.
Land Title Registration in the Philippines: Proving Alienability and Possession
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies what evidence is needed to register land title under PD 1529, emphasizing proof of alienability and possession since 1945.
Late Certiorari Filing Binds Clients to Counsel's Negligence: Labao v. Flores
Supreme Court rules that a client is bound by counsel's failure to file certiorari on time, stressing strict compliance with reglementary periods.
Paraffin Tests and Witness Credibility in Philippine Homicide Convictions
Learn how Philippine courts weigh negative paraffin test results against eyewitness testimony in homicide cases, and why credibility prevails.
Partial Summary Judgments: Why They Are Not Immediately Executable
A partial summary judgment is interlocutory, not final. It cannot be executed while the main case is pending, explains Philippine Business Bank v. Chua.
Untimely Appeal: How Attorney Negligence Can Doom Your Case
Learn how attorney negligence in filing an appeal can doom your case, based on a Philippine Supreme Court ruling on employer liability.
When the Secretary of Labor May Award Higher Wages Than a Union MOA
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether the Labor Secretary can grant wage increases higher than a union's memorandum of agreement.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails: Inconsistent Evidence Leads to Acquittal in Drug Sale Case
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect after prosecution witnesses gave contradictory testimonies, casting doubt on the identity of the seized drugs.
When Can Employees Be Fired for Participating in a Strike in the Philippines
Philippine law protects rank-and-file strikers from dismissal for mere participation in an illegal strike, but union officers face stricter liability.
Warrantless Arrests in the Philippines: When Are They Legal?
The Supreme Court explains when warrantless arrests are legal in the Philippines, using a drug case to illustrate the rules.
Immorality in the Workplace: When Personal Conduct Leads to Professional Consequences
A Supreme Court ruling shows how a government employee's extramarital affair constituted disgraceful and immoral conduct, even after resignation.
Finality of Judgments: Understanding Immutability and Exceptions in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies the doctrine of finality of judgments and its exceptions in a labor case involving illegal dismissal and retirement.
Seafarers Disability When Standard Contracts Limit Compensation For Illnesses
SC rules basketball injury on board is work-related under the Bunkhouse Rule, entitling seafarer to disability benefits.
Treachery and Attempted Murder: Establishing Intent and Liability in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how treachery qualifies murder and how intent is established in attempted murder cases.
Confessions and Corpus Delicti: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Murder Cases
How Philippine courts weigh confessions and corpus delicti to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt in murder prosecutions.
When Self-Defense Fails: Unlawful Aggression and Treachery in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling explains why a claim of self-defense failed and how treachery qualified a killing as murder.
Upholding Foreclosure Validity: Notice Requirements and Mortgagor Obligations
Supreme Court clarifies posting and publication rules in extrajudicial foreclosure, and when mortgagors are estopped from challenging a sale.
Consolidation of Cases Ensuring Judicial Economy and Preventing Conflicting Decisions
Learn how the Supreme Court applies the doctrine of primary administrative jurisdiction in corporate rehabilitation cases through Nestle Philippines v. Uniwide Sales.