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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Rape Shield Under Scrutiny: Credibility in Sexual Assault Cases
A Supreme Court ruling on simple rape clarifies credibility standards, qualifying circumstances, and damages in sexual assault cases.
Lawyer Suspended for Negligence and Misrepresentation Before the NLRC
The Supreme Court suspended a lawyer for one year and fined him P10,000 for filing an appeal late and falsely certifying an incorrect date of receipt.
Judicial Impartiality: When a Judge's Questions Are Not Proof of Bias
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a judge's active questioning during trial does not automatically prove bias or partiality warranting inhibition.
Mortgage in Good Faith: How Banks Are Protected From Fraudulent Land Titles in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how banks that accept mortgages in good faith are protected from forged or fraudulent land titles.
Employer's Quasi-Delict Liability: Direct and Primary Under Article 2180
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that an employer's liability for employee negligence under Article 2180 is primary and direct, allowing suit without the employee.
Finality of Judgment: Untimely Appeal Bars Reconsideration in Debt Collection Case
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on finality of judgment, untimely appeals, and pro forma motions for reconsideration in debt collection disputes.
Positive Identification Over Alibi: Upholding Witness Testimony in a Rape Conviction
In People v. Santos, the Supreme Court upheld a rape conviction based on the victim's credible testimony, rejecting alibi and denial and correcting the penalty to reclusion perpetua.
Specific Tax on Stemmed Leaf Tobacco: When Exemptions Do Not Apply
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on specific tax liability of stemmed leaf tobacco dealers and the limits of tax exemptions under the NIRC.
Conclusiveness of Judgment: Preventing Relitigation of Established Facts in Property Disputes
A Supreme Court administrative case clarifies when a trial court may still act after an appeal is perfected, and why litigated motions always require a hearing.
Support Obligations in Nullified Marriages: Protecting Child Welfare After Annulment
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that child support survives a nullified marriage and can be modified as needs and resources change, but only with proper evidence.
Rape of a Mentally Retarded Person: Consent and Legal Standards in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that sexual intercourse with a mentally retarded person is rape, as they cannot give legal consent.
Self-Defense and Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Lessons from People v. Se
The Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense fails and treachery does not qualify a killing, reducing a murder conviction to homicide.
Dying Declarations AS Evidence Establishing Guilt IN Murder Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when dying declarations can establish guilt in murder cases, and the strict standards for insanity defenses in Philippine criminal law.
Election Law: Ensuring Canvass Board Legitimacy and Preventing Electoral Fraud
The Supreme Court affirms COMELEC's power to nullify proclamations by illegally constituted boards of canvassers and to order recounts to protect electoral integrity.
Piercing the Corporate Veil to Protect Conjugal Property Rights in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling explains when a corporation's separate personality may be set aside to reach property that really belongs to a married couple's conjugal estate.
The Insanity Defense: Establishing the Boundaries of Criminal Responsibility in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies self-defense and treachery rules in a murder appeal, reducing conviction to homicide with precise legal standards.
Integrity Under Scrutiny: False Disbarment Complaint Protects Attorney's Reputation
The Supreme Court's ruling in Mejares v. Romana clarifies when lawyers face discipline for mishandling client funds and communications.
Treachery and Self-Defense in Homicide: Lessons from People v. Jerry Se
The Supreme Court clarifies when treachery and self-defense apply in fatal attacks, reducing a murder conviction to homicide.
Unlawful Aggression and Self-Defense: When a Threat Justifies Homicide
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a mere threatening act, like drawing a bolo, does not constitute unlawful aggression justifying self-defense in homicide cases.
Positive Identification Overrules Alibi in Kidnapping for Ransom Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how positive identification by the victim outweighs alibi defenses in kidnapping for ransom cases.
Detailing Municipal Employees to Courts: Limits of Executive Judge Authority
Supreme Court clarifies when executive judges may detail personnel to courts, and why municipal employees cannot serve as sheriffs.
Witness Credibility in Robbery With Homicide: Prior Conduct Does Not Bar Believability
Philippine Supreme Court affirms that a witness's bad character or prior conduct does not automatically destroy credibility in robbery with homicide cases.
Possession, Donation, and Ejectment: What the Sevilla Florencio Ruling Teaches
A Supreme Court ejectment ruling shows why an unregistered deed of donation cannot defeat the registered owner's heirs and how possession cases are decided.
Rape Conviction Upheld: The Critical Role of Victim Testimony and Credibility in Philippine Law
Philippine courts rely heavily on victim testimony in rape cases. Learn how the Supreme Court weighs credibility and what it means for criminal prosecutions.