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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Bank Negligence and Fiduciary Duty in Handling Foreign Currency Deposits
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on bank liability for negligence in handling foreign currency time deposit pretermination and fiduciary duty.
Banks' Duty to Depositors: No Unilateral Freezing Without Court Order
Supreme Court rules banks cannot unilaterally freeze depositor accounts based on mere suspicion, reaffirming fiduciary duty to treat accounts with meticulous care.
Crossed Checks and Collecting Banks: Who Bears the Loss for Wrong Endorsement?
Learn when a collecting bank is liable for depositing a crossed check into the wrong account, and the duty to verify endorsements.
Security Deposit Forfeiture and Lease Improvements: The Florentino v. Supervalue Ruling
The Supreme Court limits security deposit forfeiture in lease contracts and clarifies when lessees may claim reimbursement for improvements.
Equitable Reduction of Penalties in Lease Agreements: Balancing Contractual Freedom and Fairness
Supreme Court rules that courts may reduce unconscionable penalties in lease contracts, ordering return of 50% of forfeited security deposits.
Deposition Deadlines in Intra-Corporate Cases: Philippine Computer Solutions v. Hernandez
The Supreme Court clarifies the 15-day discovery period under the Interim Rules on Intra-Corporate Controversies and the rule on interlocutory orders.
Deposition Deadlines in Corporate Disputes: What Philippine Computer Solutions v. Manzo Teaches
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies deposition deadlines in intra-corporate disputes and why interlocutory orders must be raised on appeal.
Dismissal Disputes: Protecting Depositors From Illegal Dismissal Claims in Corporate Crises
The Supreme Court shields depositors who temporarily manage a distressed bank from personal liability for illegal dismissal claims, clarifying employer-employee relationships.
Cash Deposits in Election Protests: Individual or Joint Responsibility?
In Soriano v. COMELEC, the Supreme Court ruled that each protestant must pay the full cash deposit for ballot revision, not share it with co-protestants.
Unendorsed Checks and Bank Liability: Depositor Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on unendorsed checks, bank set-off rights, and depositor protection in banking disputes.
Dation in Payment and Perfected Contracts of Sale Under Philippine Law
When is a deposit earnest money? This case explains when a contract of sale is perfected and why a bank's qualified acceptance was only a counter-offer.
Court Fund Accountability: Clerk of Court Liabilities in the Philippines
Financial audit case clarifies the accountability of clerks of court and cash clerks for shortages, delayed deposits, and misuse of court funds.
When Courts Can Compel Disclosure of Foreign Currency Deposits in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when courts may compel banks to disclose foreign currency deposits despite the secrecy rule under RA 6426.
When Is a Contract of Sale Perfected? Lessons from Villanueva v. PNB
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when offers, counter-offers, and deposits create—or fail to create—a binding contract of sale.
Security Deposits in Lease Agreements: Clarifying Lessee and Sub-Lessee Obligations
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when security deposits must be returned and what lessors must prove to withhold them.
Bank Set-Off Rights: Limits and Liabilities in Loan Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when banks may validly offset deposits against loans, and the limits of contractual set-off rights.
Security Deposits of Insurance Firms Shielded From Individual Claims Preserving Solvency FOR ALL Policyholders
Supreme Court rules insurance security deposits cannot be garnished by single claimants, protecting all policyholders' interests.
Tax Exemptions for Philippine Airlines: Understanding the "In Lieu of All Other Taxes" Provision
The Supreme Court ruled that PAL's franchise tax option exempts it from all other taxes, including the 20% final withholding tax on bank deposits.
Cashier's Checks and Bank Insolvency: When a Holder's Claim Is Not a Preference
A depositor's unpaid cashier's checks from a failed bank are disputed claims in liquidation, not automatic preferences. The Supreme Court explains why.
Mayor's Personal Deposit of Municipal Checks: Official Misconduct and Probable Cause
Supreme Court ruling on when a mayor's deposit of municipal checks into a personal account constitutes probable cause for graft under RA 3019.
Preliminary Injunctions and Bank Deposits: Protecting Depositors' Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies that preliminary injunctions preserve the status quo and cannot be used to transfer bank deposits before trial.
Judicial Efficiency vs. Justice: The Price of Delayed Resolutions
A Supreme Court ruling shows why court clerks must deposit judiciary funds on time, and how delay can amount to gross misconduct and dishonesty.
Consignation and the Debtor's Right to Withdraw: Lessons from Banco Filipino v. Diaz
When can a debtor withdraw a consignated deposit? The Supreme Court explains the rules under Article 1260 of the Civil Code.
Immediate Deposit Rule for Court Clerks: Accountability Despite Full Restitution
Court clerks must deposit judiciary funds immediately. Restitution does not erase administrative liability, as this Philippine Supreme Court ruling shows.