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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Protecting Innocence: Statutory Rape Law and Child Victim Testimony
Explaining statutory rape under Philippine law, why child testimony is credible, and the rules on proving carnal knowledge.
Lawyer Suspended for Conflict of Interest: When a Former Client Becomes an Adversary
The Supreme Court suspended a lawyer for six months for representing siblings against a former client, violating Rule 15.03 of the Code of Professional Responsibility.
CIBAC Party-List Dispute: Resolving Authority Over Nominees and Electoral Contest Jurisdiction
Supreme Court settles who may validly nominate party-list representatives and clarifies when the HRET, not COMELEC, has jurisdiction over election contests.
Substituted Service of Summons: When Courts Fail to Acquire Jurisdiction Over Defendants
The Supreme Court clarifies the strict requirements for substituted service of summons and when failure to comply means no jurisdiction over defendants.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Marking Seized Evidence Matters
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect when police break the chain of custody, stressing strict evidence handling rules.
Finality of Judgment Prevails: When a Notice of Lis Pendens Can Be Cancelled
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that only the court with jurisdiction over the main action may cancel a lis pendens, and final judgments cannot be collaterally attacked.
Moral Ascendancy IN Qualified Rape Upholding Conviction Despite Recanted Testimony
Moral Ascendancy and Qualified Rape: Why a Victim's Sole Testimony Can Convict
Father convicted of qualified rape on daughter's testimony alone, despite recantation. Learn the rules on moral ascendancy and credibility.
Rape Conviction Valid Based on Testimony of Mute, Mentally Retarded Victim
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on a mute and mentally retarded victim's testimony through sign language, clarifying credibility standards.
Rape Conviction Upheld Minors ACT OF Discernment Overrides Youthful Mitigation
Supreme Court affirms gang rape convictions of minors, ruling discernment negates the mitigating effect of minority under juvenile justice law.
Eyewitness Inconsistency and Reasonable Doubt: Scrutinizing Witness Testimony in Murder Cases
In People v. Vargas, the Supreme Court acquitted two murder accused after the lone eyewitness gave conflicting accounts of who killed the victim.
When a DILG Order Meets a COMELEC Ruling: Contempt in Election Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when government officials can be cited for contempt for implementing an Ombudsman decision that conflicts with a COMELEC ruling.
Rape Conviction Affirmed Addressing Inconsistencies AND Damage Awards IN Cases OF Sexual Assault
Eyewitness Testimony and Credibility in Robbery Cases: Ensuring Fair Convictions
The Supreme Court affirms that credible eyewitness testimony prevails over denial and alibi in robbery cases, explaining how courts assess witness credibility.
Sheriffs Must Enforce Writs of Execution Strictly or Face Administrative Liability
A sheriff who accepts less than the full amount stated in a writ of execution and labels it full satisfaction commits simple misconduct.
Supreme Court on COLA Back Pay for Water District Employees: Good Faith Excuses Refund
The Supreme Court ruled that water district employees need not refund disallowed COLA back pay, citing good faith and the integration of allowances under the Salary Standardization Law.
BSP Authority to Engage Private Counsel and Jurisdiction in Legal Proceedings
Supreme Court clarifies BSP's power to hire private counsel and RTC jurisdiction over real property cases involving assessed value.
BSP Can Use Private Counsel: Supreme Court Clarifies Jurisdiction and Representation Rules
Supreme Court rules on BSP's authority to engage private counsel and RTC jurisdiction over real property disputes.
Land Conveyance and Public Land Act Alienation Restrictions: A Guide to Reconveyance
Learn how the Public Land Act's five-year ban on selling free patent land affects property sales and reconveyance actions in the Philippines.
Security of Tenure: Landowner Must Prove Grounds for Tenant Eviction Under Agrarian Reform Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that landowners bear the burden of proving lawful grounds for tenant eviction, and unlawful lease rentals cannot justify dispossession.
Attorney Disqualification: The Limits of Contingency Fees and Conflicts of Interest
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on lawyers acquiring client property during litigation, void contracts, and contingency fee limits.
Voiding Land Sales Under Free Patent: The Five-Year Restriction on Alienation
When can a sale of free patent land be void? The Supreme Court explains the five-year ban and its consequences.
Untimely Filing Dooms VAT Refund Claim Navigating Jurisdictional Deadlines IN TAX Appeals
Electoral Tribunals and Nuisance Candidates: Jurisdiction After Proclamation
The Supreme Court clarifies that the HRET cannot declare a candidate a nuisance candidate once the COMELEC's ruling has become final.