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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CBA Renegotiation Preserving Workers Rights TO Union Representation
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how CBA renegotiation affects the 60-day freedom period for certification elections and union representation rights.
Probationary Employees Can Vote in Certification Elections: Key SC Ruling
Supreme Court clarifies probationary employees' voting rights in certification elections, ordering a run-off after votes were wrongly excluded.
Mining Rights and Corporate Authorization: The Crucial Role of Proper Board Authority in Legal Actions
A Supreme Court ruling on why corporations must secure proper board authorization for legal certifications, and the strict rules on mining disputes.
Duty to Update Valid Service Despite Address Change IN Labor Disputes
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on the duty to update service addresses in labor disputes, and why a postmaster's certification cannot override a registry return card.
Reconstitution of Title: Why Primary Evidence Matters in Land Registration
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why reconstitution of a lost title requires primary evidence, not mere certifications.
Certification Elections: No Forum Shopping Certificate, Union Legitimacy Rules
Supreme Court clarifies that certification election petitions need no non-forum shopping certificate and explains union legitimacy rules in labor disputes.
When a Motion for Reconsideration Is Not Required: Certification Election Ruling
Supreme Court clarifies when the motion for reconsideration rule yields to DOLE rules, and how res judicata applies to certification election petitions.
Perfecting Land Titles: Resolving Conflicting Government Certifications in Land Registration
The Supreme Court rules that clerical errors in government certifications should not defeat a land registration application when other evidence supports the claim.
Certification Against Forum Shopping: The High Cost of Non-Disclosure
Failure to disclose a related case in a certification against forum shopping can lead to indirect contempt. Learn from this Philippine Supreme Court ruling.
Seafarer Disability Claims: When the Company Doctor's Fit-to-Work Assessment Prevails
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on seafarer disability claims: the company-designated physician's fit-to-work certification controls absent a third-doctor review.
Substantial Compliance in Land Registration: Belated Filing of Non-Forum Shopping Certification
The Supreme Court clarifies when belated filing of a certification against forum shopping may be excused in land registration cases.
Substantial Compliance and Corporate Authority in Forum Shopping Certifications: A Philippine Guide
Explains when a belated secretary's certificate can cure a defective corporate verification in Philippine court petitions, citing the YMCA v. Remington ruling.
Litigating as an Indigent: Docket Fees, Forum Shopping, and Contempt in Philippine Courts
The Supreme Court clarifies indigent litigant rules, forum shopping certification, and contempt in Tokio Marine v. Valdez.
Judicial Accountability: Judges and Court Personnel Held Liable for Undue Delay and Misconduct
Supreme Court holds retired judge liable for undue delay in deciding 23 cases and clerk of court for issuing false certification.
Proof of Alienability Required: Land Registration Denied Without Government Certification
Supreme Court denies land registration where applicant failed to prove the property was alienable and disposable public land.
Forum Shopping Certification and Verification Defects: Strict Compliance in Philippine Courts
A defective certification against forum shopping and verification can get a petition dismissed. Learn the strict rules from Gabriel v. Court of Appeals.
Duterte v. Kingswood: Burden of Proof in Disease-Based Dismissals
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that employers, not employees, must secure a health authority certification to validly terminate on disease grounds.
VAT Refund Claims: Why Purchase Invoices and Receipts Must Be Submitted
The Supreme Court held that summaries and CPA certifications cannot replace pre-marked purchase invoices and receipts in claims for refund of excess input VAT.
Certiorari Dismissed: Defective Verification and Certification Against Forum Shopping
A Rule 65 petition signed by only one of two petitioners, without authority for the other,
Defective Verification and Forum Shopping Certification: Why Court Petitions Can Be Dismissed
Learn why defective verification and certification of non-forum shopping can lead to dismissal of court petitions, based on a Supreme Court ruling.
Certification Against Forum Shopping: The Corporate Authorization Requirement
Corporate plaintiffs must authorize their signatories to execute certifications against forum shopping, or risk dismissal of their cases.
Forum Shopping in the Philippines: How to Avoid Dismissal of Your Case
Learn what forum shopping means in Philippine law, its elements, and how to avoid case dismissal through proper certification and disclosure.
Forum Shopping in Philippine Courts: Why Filing Multiple Cases Can Backfire
Learn how the Supreme Court defines forum shopping, why filing multiple cases over the same dispute can get a case dismissed, and what the certification against forum shopping requires.
Commingling and Certification Elections: Navigating Union Affiliations in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when commingling of rank-and-file and supervisory union officers bars separate certification elections.