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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Frivolous Lawsuits, Court Integrity, and Ethical Lawyer Conduct in the Philippines
The Supreme Court fines a lawyer for filing a frivolous administrative complaint, reaffirming ethical duties and the protection of judicial integrity.
Employer Liability for Security Guard Actions: Philippine Law Explained
When can a client be liable for a security guard's wrongful acts? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on employer liability in the Philippines.
Valid Service of Summons in Philippine Civil Cases: Velayo-Fong v. Velayo
The Supreme Court in Velayo-Fong v. Velayo explains when extraterritorial service of summons applies and why a process server's return is presumed regular.
COA Audit Not Mandatory for Utility Rate Changes: Meralco Case Analysis
Supreme Court clarifies that COA audit is not a prerequisite to ERC rate approvals, settling a key administrative law question.
Deadlines Matter: A Sheriff's Duty for Timely Writ of Execution Returns in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on a sheriff's mandatory 30-day duty to return writs of execution, with penalties for delay.
Defining Obscenity in Philippine Law: Liability for Immoral Publications
The Supreme Court clarifies how Philippine law defines obscenity and who may be held liable for selling or exhibiting pornographic materials.
Accountability in the Courts: Understanding Neglect of Duty and Judicial Audits in the Philippines
A 2006 Supreme Court ruling clarifies the duties of judges and clerks of court in judicial audits, and the consequences of neglect of duty.
Demolition and Due Process: Understanding Nuisance Per Se in Philippine Law
When can government demolish property without court order? The Supreme Court explains nuisance per se, police power, and the limits of due process.
Missed Deadline Dismissed Appeal Why Perfecting Appeals On Time IS NON Negotiable IN Philippine Labor Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on appeal bonds in labor cases: non-posting within the reglementary period is fatal and jurisdictional.
Due Process in Employee Dismissal: Salazar v. Philippine Duplicators Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies procedural due process in Salazar v. Philippine Duplicators, Inc., a landmark case on employee termination in the Philippines.
Accountability in the Judiciary: Understanding Neglect of Duty for Court Personnel in the Philippines
A look at how the Supreme Court defines and penalizes simple neglect of duty by court personnel, using a 2006 case as an example.
Regular Employment Status and Labor-Only Contracting: The San Miguel Corporation Case
Learn how the Supreme Court protected a worker's regular employment status against labor-only contracting schemes in San Miguel Corporation v. NLRC.
Protecting Your Property: Why Notice Is Crucial in Philippine Tax Sales
Learn how the Supreme Court nullified a tax sale for lack of proper notice to the true owner, and what this means for property buyers and owners in the Philippines.
Rescission Rights in Pacto de Retro Sales: When Can a Seller Reclaim Property
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a seller can rescind a pacto de retro sale and reclaim property from a defaulting buyer.
Quashing an Information: Limits on Amendment and Filing New Charges in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a quashed information can be amended or refiled, explained in plain language.
Legislative Contempt Ends When Inquiry Ends: Roque v. House Quad Committee
Supreme Court clarifies that legislative contempt and detention orders lapse once the congressional inquiry terminates or Congress expires.
Psychological Incapacity Mere Marital Infidelity IS NOT Enough FOR Annulment
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that psychological incapacity under Article 36 requires more than mere marital infidelity or irreconcilable differences.
Government Incentives When Must Employees Repay Disallowed Benefits
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when government employees must refund disallowed incentive benefits, distinguishing good faith recipients from approving officers.
Torrens Title and Fraud: Protecting Land Ownership from Deceitful Transactions
The Supreme Court voided a Torrens title obtained through fraud, ruling that the principle of indefeasibility does not shield titles tainted by deceit.
DOLE Philippines v. Esteva: Labor-Only Contracting and Regular Employment Rights
Supreme Court ruling on labor-only contracting, regular employment, and employer liability in DOLE Philippines v. Esteva (G.R. No. 161115).
When Are Employee Confessions in Internal Investigations Admissible in Court?
Learn when employee confessions in internal investigations are admissible in Philippine courts, based on Supreme Court rulings on voluntariness and due process.
Sheriff's Duty: Upholding Impartiality and Procedural Regularity in Execution Sales
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling reminds judges and sheriffs that delay and partiality in resolving motions and executing judgments erode public trust in the courts.
Falsifying Time Records in Public Service: A Path to Dishonesty Charges
Learn how falsifying time records leads to dishonesty charges in Philippine public service, based on a Supreme Court ruling.
DARAB Jurisdiction: Why Agrarian Disputes Over Joint Ventures Belong to the DAR
The Supreme Court clarifies that disputes over joint ventures on agrarian land fall under DARAB jurisdiction, not regular courts.