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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Rape Conviction Upheld: Victim Testimony and Positive Identification in Philippine Law
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, ruling that a victim's positive identification and credible testimony can overcome alibi and denial defenses.
Procedural Lapses and Contempt: Navigating Court Rules in Contract Disputes
A Supreme Court ruling on procedural rules in contract disputes: motion for reconsideration, hierarchy of courts, and indirect contempt.
Corporate Rehabilitation vs Labor Claims: Balancing Creditor Rights and Employee Protection
When a company undergoes rehabilitation, labor claims are suspended. The Supreme Court explains why in Castillo v. Uniwide.
Public Trust Dismissal for Grave Misconduct in Extortion Case
Supreme Court reinstates dismissal of BIR examiner for grave misconduct in extortion, clarifying substantial evidence standard in administrative cases.
Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: SAC Jurisdiction and Land Valuation Rules
Explains why the Special Agrarian Court has exclusive jurisdiction over just compensation cases and how land valuation is finally determined under RA 6657.
Presumption of Regularity vs. Misconduct Claims: Integrity in Court Execution
Learn how the presumption of regularity in official duty interacts with misconduct allegations in administrative cases, from a 2010 Supreme Court ruling.
Party-List Delisting Rules Clarified: Two Separate Grounds Under RA 7941
Supreme Court clarifies party-list delisting under RA 7941: two separate grounds, cannot be combined; abandons Minero ruling.
Protecting the Right to Vote: Domicile and Voter Registration in the Philippines
The Supreme Court protects voter registration rights, ruling that domicile, not technicalities, determines a citizen's right to vote.
Self-Defense vs Murder: Unlawful Aggression in Philippine Criminal Law
The Supreme Court explains when self-defense fails in murder cases, focusing on unlawful aggression as its primordial element.
When Death and Procedural Choices End Criminal Complaints: The ABS-CBN v. Ombudsman Case
Explaining how the Supreme Court applied the Bayotas rule on death of respondents and why procedural choices in filing claims can affect criminal complaints.
Sheriffs' Duty of Diligence: Liability for Erroneous Demolition
When a sheriff demolishes the wrong property, the Court holds him administratively liable. Learn the duty of care required.
Management Prerogative vs. Illegal Dismissal: Redundancy and Employee Rights
When does a redundancy program become illegal dismissal? The Supreme Court clarifies the balance between business needs and employee security of tenure.
Breach of Public Trust: Accountability for Mismanaged Court Funds in the Philippines
The Supreme Court affirms COA's power to disallow irregular allowances and expenses of government officials, upholding public purpose requirements.
Stepfather Convicted of Statutory Rape and Acts of Lasciviousness
The Supreme Court affirms the conviction of a stepfather for statutory rape and acts of lasciviousness against his minor stepdaughter, clarifying penalties and damages.
Sheriffs' Duty of Care in Implementing Writs: Lessons from Tomboc v. Velasco
When a sheriff demolishes the wrong property, who pays? The Supreme Court clarifies sheriffs' duty of diligence in writ implementation.
Balancing Justice and Procedure: When Technicalities Yield to Equity in Appeals
The Supreme Court clarifies when procedural rules prevail over equitable arguments in criminal appeals involving the Ombudsman.
Entrapment or Illegal Inducement: The Fine Line in Buy-Bust Operations
The Supreme Court clarifies when a buy-bust operation is valid entrapment versus instigation, and why the chain of custody still matters.
Death and Dismissal: Examining Survival of Civil Liability in Criminal Cases After Accused's Demise
When an accused dies before final judgment, criminal liability is extinguished. But civil liability may survive—under certain conditions.
When Can Courts Relax Procedural Rules? The Go v. Chaves Appeal Ruling
The Supreme Court reinstates an appeal dismissed on technical grounds, explaining when courts may relax procedural rules in the interest of substantial justice.
When Courts Defer to Ombudsman Discretion in Anti-Graft Investigations
Sandiganbayan need not order a new preliminary investigation when a re-filed anti-graft information merely changes the mode of committing the same offense.
When Oversight Falters: Judicial Error and the Limits of Discretion in Public Office
The Supreme Court clarifies that the condonation doctrine applies only to reelected elective officials, not to reappointed appointive officers found guilty of simple neglect of duty.
Contract to Sell: Buyer's Failure to Pay Nullifies Seller's Obligation to Convey Title
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that in a contract to sell, buyer's failure to pay the full price prevents the seller's obligation to convey title from arising.
Re-Filing Graft Case Needs No New Preliminary Investigation When Only the Mode of Commission Changes
A re-filed graft information that changes only the mode of committing the offense, not its nature, does not require a new preliminary investigation.
Acquittal in Drug Case: Why Broken Chain of Custody Fatal to Prosecution
Supreme Court acquits drug suspect where police failed to inventory, photograph, and preserve seized shabu, breaking the chain of custody.