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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Foreshore Land Claims: Proving Ownership Against Government Reversion Suits
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when the government can cancel free patents over alleged foreshore lands, and the burden of proof in reversion cases.
Retrenchment and Proof of Financial Losses: Safeguarding Employee Rights in Business Downturns
When can a company validly retrench workers? The Supreme Court clarifies the burden of proving business losses.
Collateral Attack on Titles: Why Quieting of Title Cannot Challenge Land Titles
Philippine Supreme Court explains why land titles cannot be challenged through quieting of title actions, which constitute a prohibited collateral attack.
Buy-Bust Operations and Chain of Custody: Key Rulings in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies warrantless arrests in buy-bust operations and the chain of custody rule for seized drugs under RA 9165.
Compromise Agreements: How Courts Interpret "Action" and Uphold Contractual Obligations
The Supreme Court ruled that selling receivables violated a compromise agreement's broadly to include the sale of the receivables.
Execution Pending Appeal: Clarifying the Timeline for Election Contests in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may issue execution pending appeal in election contests, resolving a common procedural misunderstanding.
Intrafamilial Trust Betrayed Convicting A Father FOR Qualified Rape Despite Familial Proximity
The Supreme Court affirms a father's conviction for qualified rape of his minor daughter, ruling that familial proximity and the presence of sleeping relatives do not negate the crime.
Work-Related Stress and Compensability of Peptic Ulcer Under Philippine Law
Explains GSIS v. Raoet, where the Supreme Court ruled peptic ulcer is compensable when work involves prolonged emotional or physical stress.
Preventive Suspension and the Three-Term Limit Rule: Aldovino v. COMELEC
The Supreme Court rules that preventive suspension does not interrupt an elective official's term for purposes of the three-term limit rule.
Barangay Boundary Disputes: Why Cadastral Maps Beat Tax Records
In boundary disputes between barangays, the Supreme Court gives greater weight to cadastral maps approved by the Director of Lands than to tax declarations.
Residency Requirement Upholding the Electorate's Will in Congressional Elections
Supreme Court ruling on congressional residency requirements, emphasizing that the electorate's choice prevails when evidence of non-residence is weak or inconclusive.
Tenant's Right of Redemption: Written Notice Is Key in Agrarian Reform
Supreme Court ruling on tenant redemption rights under RA 3844 and the importance of written notice in agrarian reform cases.
Marital Rape: Spousal Consent Is Not a Defense to Rape in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court affirms that marriage is no defense to rape, convicting a stepfather of two counts of rape against his minor stepdaughter.
Temporary Restraining Orders Limits AND Judicial Discretion IN THE Philippines
Union Registration and the 20% Membership Rule: Lessons from Mariwasa Siam Ceramics
The Supreme Court clarifies that the 20% membership requirement applies only at registration, not throughout a union's existence.
Dissolution of Preliminary Injunction When Dismissal Trumps Pending Appeal
A preliminary injunction ends automatically when the trial court dismisses the main case, even if an appeal is pending. Here's why.
Prejudicial Question and Three-Term Limit in Barangay Elections: Monreal v. COMELEC
The Supreme Court explains when a constitutional challenge can suspend disqualification cases and how the three-term limit applies.
Tenant's Right of Redemption: Written Notice Is Mandatory in Agrarian Reform Cases
Philippine Supreme Court rules written notice to tenant and DAR is mandatory before redemption period can run under agrarian reform law.
Cityhood Laws and Equal Protection: Defining Legislative Power in Local Governance
The Supreme Court upholds cityhood laws exempting municipalities from RA 9009's income requirement, affirming Congress's plenary power.
Tenant's Right of Redemption: Written Notice Requirement and the Perils of Wrong Appeal Remedy
Supreme Court clarifies tenant redemption rights require written notice, and errors in appeal mode are fatal to agrarian cases.
Conviction for Rape Based on Credible Victim Testimony Alone
The Supreme Court affirms that a rape conviction may rest solely on the victim's credible testimony, even without medical findings or corroborating witnesses.
Mortgage Foreclosure Rights Prevail When Preliminary Injunction Lacks Legal Basis
Supreme Court nullifies preliminary injunction blocking bank foreclosure, ruling debtors' failure to show clear right constitutes grave abuse of discretion.
Prescription and Marital Consent: Protecting Property Rights in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling on how prescription and laches can bar claims over conjugal property sold without the wife's consent.
Double Dipping Denied: Separation Pay vs Retirement Benefits in Government Restructuring
Supreme Court rules NPC employees who received separation pay under EPIRA cannot also claim retirement benefits under CA 186, as amended.