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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Good Faith Mortgage vs Forged Title: Protecting the True Property Owner's Rights
Can a bank keep a mortgage on property bought through a forged deed? The Supreme Court clarifies the true owner's remedies.
Local Autonomy Prevails Defining Boundary Disputes Between Municipalities AND Highly Urbanized Cities
Supreme Court ruling clarifies that COSLAP lacks jurisdiction over LGU boundary disputes, which belong to sanggunians under the Local Government Code.
Agrarian Justice Delayed: Determining Just Compensation in Land Reform Cases
When should just compensation be valued—at land taking or payment? The Supreme Court clarifies in Meneses v. DAR.
Substantial Compliance With Rule 42 Requirements: The Navalta Case on Procedural Rules
The Supreme Court rules that substantial compliance with Rule 42 petition requirements can cure technical defects, favoring merits over procedure.
Intent to Kill vs Intent to Rob: Distinguishing Murder From Robbery With Homicide in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a killing is murder, not robbery with homicide, based on the accused's intent.
Judicial Accountability: Consequences of Negligence and Delay in Court Proceedings
Supreme Court penalizes a judge and court personnel for case delays, lost records, and false certificates of service, underscoring judicial accountability.
Business Closure in the Philippines: Navigating Layoffs and Employee Rights During Financial Distress
Learn the rules on business closure in the Philippines, including separation pay, notice requirements, and employee rights when a company shuts down due to losses.
Consolidation of Cases: Efficiency and Prevention of Conflicting Judgments
Philippine Supreme Court explains when courts may consolidate related cases to avoid conflicting judgments, save time, and promote swift justice.
Can Established Companies Be Forced to Rehire Former Employees? What Philippine Law Says
Philippine law does not force companies to rehire former employees. This article explains reinstatement rules, illegal dismissal remedies, and practical guidance.
When Judges Must Step Aside: The Duty of Inhibition and Judicial Conduct in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling on when judges must inhibit from cases, avoid impropriety, and the limits of judicial conduct.
Judicial Impartiality: When a Judge's Personal Interest Conflicts With Court Proceedings
A Supreme Court ruling on how courts should handle consolidated cases, and why judges must avoid even the appearance of impropriety in proceedings.
Legislative Inquiry vs Executive Privilege: The PCGG Testimony Case
The Supreme Court ruled PCGG officials must testify before Senate inquiries, striking down Section 4(b) of E.O. No. 1 as unconstitutional.
Tax Credit Certificates: Government's Right to Collect Taxes Remains Despite Alleged Fraud
Supreme Court ruling on tax credit certificates, government's right to collect taxes, and contractor payment disputes in Philippine construction contracts.
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.
Protecting Subdivision Buyers: Contracts to Sell Must Be Registered
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies that subdivision developers must register contracts to sell with the Register of Deeds under P.D. 957.
Land Reclassification and Agrarian Reform: When Agricultural Land Stops Being Covered by CARL
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how land reclassified as commercial before CARL's effectivity falls outside agrarian reform coverage.
Protecting the Vulnerable: A Child's Testimony as Proof in Rape Cases
The Supreme Court affirms that a credible child victim's testimony alone can convict in rape cases, even without a broken hymen.
Agricultural Land Reclassification: Continued Use Does Not Override Prior Conversion
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how prior land reclassification to commercial use affects agrarian reform coverage and tenant rights.
When Is Employee Termination Illegal? Key Rules from a Supreme Court Ruling
Learn when termination becomes illegal under Philippine labor law, based on a Supreme Court ruling on unjustified dismissal and procedural lapses.
Public Bidding Does Not Exempt Takay Projects From the Election Spending Ban
The Supreme Court upheld the Comelec's finding that takay or paquiao public works cannot escape the election ban on fund releases through a public bidding.
Upholding Employee Rights: Just Cause and Union Security in Dismissal Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on closed-shop dismissals: substantive due process still applies even when a CBA mandates termination.
Forcible Entry: Actual Possession Trumps Claimed Ownership in Property Disputes
In forcible entry cases, prior physical possession—not ownership—decides who stays. The Supreme Court explains why a deed alone is not enough.
PAL Tax Refund Case: Interpreting "In Lieu of All Other Taxes" in Franchises
Supreme Court ruling on PAL's franchise tax exemption and refund of final withholding tax on passive income.
Breach of Trust Ownership of Club Shares and Fiduciary Duties in Philippine Law
When a club share is transferred temporarily, a trust is created. The Supreme Court explains ownership, fiduciary duties, and the rules on implied trusts in Philippine law.