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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Gambling Debts and Casino Chips: When a Junket Player Cannot Collect
A Korean high roller loses bid to redeem US$2.1 million in casino chips from PAGCOR. Learn the legal rules on gambling debts.
Probable Cause Reassessment: When a Judge May Overturn a Prior Ruling on Arrest Warrants
A new presiding judge may reverse an earlier finding of no probable cause and order arrests, the Supreme Court ruled, clarifying the limits of judicial discretion.
Final Judgments and the Law of the Case: Why Courts Cannot Reopen Settled Land Registration Claims
A look at how the doctrine of finality and the law of the case prevent relitigation, using a land registration case as a guide.
Simulated Sales and Fraudulent Asset Transfers: Protecting Creditors Under Philippine Law
When debtors hide assets through fake sales to relatives, creditors can have those transfers voided. The Supreme Court explains how.
Proving Open Continuous Possession in Land Registration: The Wee Case
Land registration requires well-nigh incontrovertible evidence of open, continuous possession since 1945. The Wee case explains why tax declarations and bare claims fail.
Labor-Only Contracting: Why Contract Language Alone Does Not Decide Employer Status
The Supreme Court clarifies when a contractor is merely a labor-only contractor and the true employer under Philippine law.
When Is a Statement an Admission? Lessons from a Prawn Feed Dispute
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a written statement counts as an admission and when corporate officers can be held personally liable.
Regularization Rights: Defining Labor-Only Contracting in Philippine Law
Supreme Court clarifies labor-only contracting vs. legitimate job contracting, affirming workers' right to regularization under Philippine law.
Disbarment for Misconduct: Upholding Candor and Justice in Legal Practice
A lawyer's disbarment for abuse of court processes, forum shopping, and falsehoods—a reminder that zeal must yield to truth and justice.
Preventive Suspension of Public Officials: Due Process and Unexplained Wealth in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when the Ombudsman may preventively suspend public officials and what due process requires in unexplained wealth cases.
Speedy Trial Rights Balancing Justice AND Practicality IN Philippine Courts
The Supreme Court clarifies that the right to speedy trial is relative and flexible, not a rigid counting of days.
Court Clerk Dismissed for Certifying Spurious Decision: Gross Neglect of Duty
Philippine Supreme Court holds court clerk liable for gross neglect after certifying a fake decision without verifying records, resulting in dismissal.
Sufficiency of Information Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Imprecise Dates
Supreme Court affirms statutory rape conviction, ruling that an Information need not state the exact date of the offense.
Revocation OF Authority Comelecs Power Over Delegated Election Offense Prosecution
Seafarers Disability: When Permanent Unfitness Means Full CBA Compensation
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a seafarer's disability is permanent and total, entitling full CBA compensation despite partial impediment grade.
Breach of Public Trust: Dismissal for Gross Neglect in Certifying Spurious Court Document
Clerk of court dismissed for gross neglect after certifying a spurious 1974 decision without verifying records, underscoring public trust in the judiciary.
Mandatory Medical Reporting FOR Seafarers Forfeiture OF Benefits FOR NON Compliance
Drug Testing in the Workplace: Ensuring Procedural Rigor and Employee Rights
The Supreme Court ruled that employers must ensure drug tests are properly administered, or face liability for illegal dismissal.
Protecting Childhood Statutory Rape AND THE Presumption OF Incapacity IN THE Philippines
Perfecting Appeals: The Jurisdictional Requirement in Estate Proceedings
Why filing both a notice of appeal and record on appeal is jurisdictional in estate cases, and what happens when a party fails to perfect an appeal.
Navigating Drug Possession Laws: Evidence and Credibility in Shabu Cases
A Supreme Court ruling on drug possession explains why minor witness inconsistencies and the defense of frame-up often fail against credible police testimony.
Rule 108 Limits: When Civil Registry Corrections Need Full Legal Action
Supreme Court clarifies when civil registry corrections exceed Rule 108 and require a full legal action to protect property rights.
Protecting Minority Shareholders When CAN A Derivative Suit BE Dismissed
Learn when Philippine courts may dismiss a derivative suit, the strict rules on service of summons, and how jurisdiction protects minority shareholders.
Protecting Public Funds Supreme Court Invalidates Compromise Agreement Involving Government Assets
Supreme Court voids PNCC-Radstock compromise that would have transferred P6.185 billion in public assets to a private foreign firm.