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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Piercing the Corporate Veil: When a Principal Becomes the True Employer in Labor-Only Contracting
When is a principal the real employer? The Supreme Court clarifies labor-only contracting rules in Iligan Cement Corporation v. IEWU-SPFL.
Voice Identification in Rape Cases: Ensuring Justice Through Reliable Testimony
How Philippine courts accept voice identification in rape cases, and why a victim's long familiarity with the accused makes it credible.
Breach OF Trust IN Employment When Does A Mistake Justify Dismissal
RTC Has Exclusive Jurisdiction Over Libel Cases, Even for Public Officers
The Supreme Court clarifies that Regional Trial Courts exclusively handle libel cases, regardless of whether the accused is a public officer.
Upholding Judicial Authority When Disrespect AND Insubordination Lead TO Suspension
The Supreme Court suspends a court process server for one year for gross insubordination and simple misconduct toward his judge.
Sheriffs Accountability Receiving Unauthorized Payments AND Neglecting Duty
Supreme Court rules on sheriff's liability for receiving unauthorized payments and dereliction of duty in implementing writs of execution.
When a Dismissal for Breach of Trust Goes Too Far: Gulf Air v. Reyes
The Supreme Court ruled that not every company-rule violation justifies dismissal. In Gulf Air v. Reyes, an inadvertent breach led to suspension, not termination.
Party-List Disputes and Comelec Rehearing Rules: The Alagad Case
How the Supreme Court clarified Comelec rehearing rules when internal party-list disputes deadlock the Commission En Banc.
Abuse OF Parental Authority Upholding Justice FOR Victims OF Incestuous Rape
Quashal vs Provisional Dismissal: Understanding the Nuances of Criminal Procedure in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies the key differences between a motion to quash and provisional dismissal under Rule 117, and why the time-bar rule does not apply to quashal orders.
Retirement Benefits: Employer's Duty Beyond Initial Retirement
Retired employee continues working; Supreme Court clarifies prescription, retirement pay computation, and employer obligations under Philippine law.
Speedy Trial Rights: When Delay Is Not a Violation
The Supreme Court explains when delays in criminal prosecution do not violate the right to speedy trial, and the limits of double jeopardy.
Tolerance in Unlawful Detainer: When Permission Becomes a Possession Dispute
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when tolerated possession becomes unlawful detainer and how courts resolve ownership questions in ejectment cases.
Speedy Trial Rights When Agreement Nullifies Delay In Securities Act Cases
Supreme Court ruling on when an accused's agreement to defer trial negates claims of speedy trial violation in securities cases.
Lost Appeals When Negligence Bars Justice in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court affirms dismissal of an appeal for failure to file brief on time, stressing that the right to appeal is a mere statutory privilege.
Judicial Approval of Compromise Agreements: Binding Parties to Mutually Agreed Terms
When parties settle a dispute, court approval of their compromise agreement makes it binding and enforceable as a final judgment.
The Expert Witness Imperative: Proving Medical Negligence in the Philippines
Philippine courts require expert medical testimony to prove negligence in most malpractice cases. Learn the rules and practical steps.
Double Jeopardy and Acquittal: The Grave Threats Case of Tiu v. Court of Appeals
The Supreme Court affirms that an acquittal in a grave threats case bars further prosecution, explaining double jeopardy rules.
Judge Suspended for Gross Ignorance of Law in Misapplying Contempt Powers
A judge's misuse of contempt powers—citing a prosecutor for indirect contempt when only direct contempt applied—led to a six-month suspension.
Perfecting Real Estate Sales Registration NOT Always Required FOR Validity
The Supreme Court clarifies that registration of a deed of sale is not always required for a real estate sale to be valid between the parties.
When Silence Isn't Golden: Delayed Witness Testimony and the Pursuit of Justice in Murder Cases
A delayed eyewitness affidavit doesn't automatically destroy credibility, the Supreme Court rules in People v. Cawaling, affirming a murder conviction.
Corporate Rehabilitation vs. Creditor Claims: The Broad Scope of Stay Orders
The Supreme Court clarifies that suspension orders under corporate rehabilitation cover all creditor claims, regardless of when they arose.
Stay Orders in Corporate Rehabilitation: Why All Claims Against Distressed Firms Are Suspended
The Supreme Court explains why all claims against corporations under rehabilitation are suspended, regardless of when the claim arose.
Hierarchy of Courts and the Right Venue for Legal Recourse: Lessons on Resolving Moot Issues
A Supreme Court ruling on the hierarchy of courts, proper venue for legal recourse, and how courts resolve issues that have become moot.