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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Free Speech vs Child Protection: MTRCB's Power to Suspend TV Programs
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling that allowed MTRCB to suspend a TV program for violating its G-rating with vulgar language, balancing free speech and child protection.
Dishonesty in the Workplace: No Financial Assistance for Terminated Employees
The Supreme Court rules that employees dismissed for theft or dishonesty are not entitled to separation pay or financial assistance.
Mootness in Maritime Law: When Supervening Events Nullify Court Decisions
Philippine Supreme Court explains when supervening events render cases moot, using a maritime CPC dispute as the key example.
Deemed Approved Leave: What Happens When Government Agencies Ignore Leave Applications
When government agencies fail to act on leave applications within five working days, the leave is deemed approved. Learn the rules and protections.
Project VS Regular Employment Clarifying Tenure IN THE Construction Industry
Due Process in Union Expulsion: Protecting Workers From Unfair Dismissal
The Supreme Court clarifies that employers must observe procedural due process before dismissing workers under a union security clause.
When Court Personnel Face Misconduct: The Bengson Case on Private Dealings
Court employees must uphold integrity even in private deals. The Bengson case shows when misconduct applies.
Psychological Incapacity Under Article 36: What Suazo v. Suazo Teaches About Proving Nullity of Marriage in th
The Supreme Court in Suazo v. Suazo clarifies what evidence is needed to prove psychological incapacity for marriage nullity under Article 36 of the Family Code.
When Company Employees Become Illegal Recruiters: The Legal Line
Philippine law on illegal recruitment: when employees of a company can be held liable as illegal recruiters, and the legal boundaries.
Res Judicata and Final Judgments: What Torres v. Medina Means for Litigants
The Supreme Court explains when a final judgment bars a new lawsuit, using a foreclosure dispute to illustrate res judicata's elements and limits.
Court Personnel Misconduct: When Private Dealings Taint the Judiciary
A legal researcher's private transaction led to administrative liability. The Supreme Court explains why court employees must be beyond reproach in personal dealings.
Valid Service of Summons on Residents Temporarily Abroad: The Palma Case
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that substituted service of summons is valid for residents temporarily out of the country, and explains when voluntary appearance waives jurisdictional objections.
NPC Not Exempt from Legal Fees: Supreme Court Clarifies Rule on Court Fees
The Supreme Court clarifies that the National Power Corporation must pay filing fees and other legal fees, affirming the Court's exclusive power over procedural rules.
Deception and Deployment: Understanding Illegal Recruitment and Estafa in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how illegal recruitment in large scale differs from estafa, and why both can apply to the same fraudulent scheme.
Valid Summons Substituted Service Permissible FOR Filipinos Temporarily Abroad
Substituted service of summons is valid for Philippine residents temporarily abroad, per the Supreme Court in Palma v. Galvez.
One Title, One Truth: Resolving Conflicting Claims in the Maysilo Estate Saga
The Supreme Court resolves a decades-old land dispute, affirming that only one OCT No. 994 exists and dismissing a petition for mandamus.
Jurisdiction by Estoppel: When Active Court Participation Bars a Jurisdictional Challenge
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a party's active participation in a case can bar it from later questioning the court's jurisdiction.
Protecting Children: Upholding the Credibility of Child Victims in Parental Abuse Cases
A Supreme Court ruling explains why a child victim's testimony is given full weight in incestuous rape cases, and why an intact hymen does not disprove rape.
Security of Tenure: Understanding Eligibility Requirements in Philippine Public Service
The Supreme Court clarifies that security of tenure in the Career Executive Service requires full CES eligibility, not just academic credentials.
Written Stipulation Is Paramount: Examining Interest Rate Agreements in Loan Contracts
The Supreme Court clarifies when interest rates bind borrowers and when the 12% legal rate applies instead.
Illegal Dismissal and Serious Misconduct as Just Cause for Termination
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains when misconduct justifies dismissal, why the penalty must fit the offense, and how employers must prove a valid termination.
Incestuous Rape: Moral Ascendancy as Intimidation in Familial Abuse
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a father's moral ascendancy substitutes for force or intimidation in incestuous rape, affirming a conviction.
Warrantless Arrest and Victim Identification in Robbery with Rape Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when a warrantless arrest is deemed waived and how victim identification is weighed in robbery with rape convictions.
Finality of Election Protest Decisions: Protecting the Electorate's Will Over Technicalities
When election protest appeals are dismissed, the trial court's decision becomes final. COMELEC cannot issue injunctions against final judgments.