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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Reinstatement After Suspension: The Process for Lawyers to Resume Practice in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies the procedure for lifting a lawyer's suspension, requiring a sworn statement of compliance before resuming practice.
Constructive Dismissal Redefining Unreasonable Employee Transfers Under Philippine LAW
When does a job transfer become constructive dismissal? The Supreme Court clarifies the rule on unreasonable transfers in Philippine Veterans Bank v. NLRC.
Upholding DUE Process THE Automatic Lifting OF Sequestration Orders FOR Unimpleaded Entities
Reinstating Appeals Substantial Justice Over Technicalities IN Perjury Cases
Finality Prevails: Citizenship Challenges Barred After Judgment in Property Disputes
A losing party cannot raise a buyer's citizenship after judgment becomes final. The Supreme Court explains why res judicata bars such challenges.
Agrarian Reform: DAR's Authority in Beneficiary Selection Prevails Over DARAB Adjudication
Supreme Court clarifies that identifying and selecting CARP farmer-beneficiaries is an exclusive administrative function of the DAR Secretary, not the DARAB.
Protecting Minors Positive Identification AND Exemplary Damages IN Rape Cases
Conspiracy in Labor Disputes: Defining Employee Involvement in Fraudulent Transactions
Supreme Court clarifies when an employee's seemingly minor act in a fraudulent scheme constitutes conspiracy justifying dismissal.
Who Picks Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries? The DAR, Not DARAB, Decides
Supreme Court clarifies that the DAR Secretary—not DARAB—has exclusive jurisdiction to identify and select qualified CARP farmer-beneficiaries.
CARP Land Use Classification and Exemption Requirements Explained
Learn when land is exempt from CARP coverage based on use classification before June 15, 1988, and why "reserved for residential" is not enough.
Energy Sector Disputes Clarifying Jurisdiction Between the ERC and DOE
Supreme Court clarifies which agency hears energy disputes: the ERC's jurisdiction is limited, while the DOE handles distribution issues.
Competitive Bidding VS Reasonable Classification Constitutionality OF Procurement Restrictions
Election Gun Ban and Airsoft Guns: What the Supreme Court Ruled
The Supreme Court upheld COMELEC's inclusion of airsoft guns in the election gun ban but excluded replicas and imitations.
Probable Cause and Ombudsman Discretion: Incomplete Audit Does Not Bar Malversation Charges
The Supreme Court rules that an incomplete COA audit does not prevent the Ombudsman from finding probable cause for malversation of public funds.
Good Faith Prevails: Protecting Innocent Purchasers in Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on innocent purchasers for value, good faith, and extinguishment of claims in property disputes.
Special Agrarian Court Jurisdiction: Province-Wide, Not Just Local
Just compensation cases may be heard by the designated Special Agrarian Court anywhere in the province, even outside its regular territory.
Grave Misconduct in the Workplace: Defining the Boundaries of Acceptable Behavior
The Supreme Court clarifies when sexual harassment in the workplace constitutes grave misconduct warranting dismissal from government service.
Fraudulent Misrepresentation Differentiating Estafa From Complex Crime OF Estafa Through Falsification
When Election Returns Override Ballots in Philippine Election Protests
Philippine Supreme Court explains when election returns may be used instead of ballots in determining election protest winners.
When Safekeeping Turns Into Gross Misconduct: A Judge's Duty of Propriety
A Philippine judge kept a litigant's antique pieces for four years. The Supreme Court called it gross misconduct, not mere impropriety, and suspended him.
When an Alien Executive Is a Regular Employee, Not a Corporate Officer: The WPP v. Galera Lesson
The Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between a corporate officer and a regular employee, and the consequences of working without an alien employment permit.
Determining Agrarian Disputes Jurisdiction Between DARAB and DAR Secretary
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when the DARAB, not the DAR Secretary, has jurisdiction over agrarian disputes involving OLT coverage.
Judicial Accountability: Upholding the Duty to Decide Cases Promptly
The Supreme Court fined a retiring judge P50,000 for leaving 43 cases undecided, affirming that judges must rule within the 90-day period.