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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
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.
Due Process in Election Protests: The Importance of Timely Evidence Presentation
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that due process in election protests means a reasonable opportunity to be heard—not unlimited time to present evidence.
Fixed Price Contracts: No Recovery for Unapproved Additional Costs
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on fixed lump-sum contracts: contractors cannot recover additional costs without written approval under Article 1724.
Public Officials Held Accountable: Strict Compliance With Procurement Laws
Mayor convicted for violating procurement rules and anti-graft law; personal canvass exceptions demand strict compliance.
Self-Defense Under Scrutiny: When Does Defense Become Unlawful Aggression
The Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense fails, examining unlawful aggression, reasonable means, and the point where defense becomes aggression.
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.
CARP Coverage and Landowner Rights in Reclassified Areas: DAR v. Berenguer
Land inside a poblacion is presumed non-agricultural and outside CARP coverage, the Supreme Court ruled in DAR v. Berenguer.
When Local Officials Break Procurement Rules: Lessons From Sison v. People
A mayor's conviction for skipping public bidding shows how courts review local procurement and graft cases under Philippine law.
Supreme Court Upholds VAT Refund Law for Foreign Tourists: A Win for Philippine Tourism
The Supreme Court upheld RA 12079's VAT refund for foreign tourists, ruling it does not violate equal protection or uniform taxation.
Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies: Why Courts Defer to Agency Expertise
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains why parties must exhaust administrative remedies and file motions for reconsideration before seeking court relief.
Foreclosure Sales Upholding Validity Despite Single Bidder
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that extrajudicial foreclosure sales remain valid even with only one bidder, settling the two-bidder rule question.
Confession and Circumstantial Evidence Sustaining Conviction in Rape with Homicide Cases
The Supreme Court explains when a spontaneous confession is admissible and how circumstantial evidence alone can prove rape with homicide.
Reckoning Backwages and Separation Pay: Finality of Illegal Dismissal Judgments
When illegal dismissal judgments become final, backwages and separation pay must be computed up to that date, not just the labor arbiter's decision date.
Withdrawal of Application Can Overcome Misrepresentation Claims in Overseas Employment
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a worker's withdrawal of application defeats claims of misrepresentation and non-issuance of receipts against recruitment agencies.
Correcting Election Errors: Safeguarding the Electorate's True Will
The Supreme Court upholds COMELEC's power to correct manifest errors in election documents to protect the true will of voters.
Chain of Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the chain of custody rule in drug cases and why lapses can lead to acquittal.
Illegal Dismissal Damages: Computing Backwages Until Judgment Becomes Final
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how backwages and separation pay are computed in illegal dismissal cases, including when the computation period ends and interest applies.
When Can a Foreign Corporation Sue in the Philippines? The Cargill Case
The Cargill ruling clarifies when an unlicensed foreign corporation may sue in Philippine courts and what "doing business" means.
Sharia Courts and Property Disputes: Concurrent Jurisdiction in Muslim Mindanao
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling that Sharia District Courts share jurisdiction with regular courts over real property cases involving Muslims.
Rape Conviction Requires Proof Beyond Reasonable Doubt Analyzing Testimonial Evidence
Unregistered Trade Names Protected Under Philippine IP Law: Coffee Partners v. San Francisco Coffee
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that unregistered trade names are protected from infringement under RA 8293, requiring only prior use in commerce.
Seafarers Disability: Work-Related Aggravation and Employer Liability
Supreme Court ruling on seafarer's colon cancer compensability, work-related aggravation, and employer liability for total disability benefits.
When a Family Trust Fails: Proving Partnership and Ownership After Death
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how to prove a partnership existed and who owns family assets when a relative dies without formal documents.
Default Orders and Due Process: Protecting Contractors' Rights in Construction Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on default orders, due process, and corporate officer liability in construction payment disputes.