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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Circumstantial Evidence and Conviction: The Nover Bryan Salvador Case
When can circumstantial evidence alone convict an accused? The Supreme Court explains in this landmark Philippine homicide case.
Upholding Workers Rights THE Importance OF Valid Union Registration AND Protection Against Employer Interference
Lease OR Ownership When Acceptance OF Rent Doesnt Create A Landlord Tenant Relationship
Dual Citizens Must Personally Renounce Foreign Citizenship to Run for Office
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on R.A. 9225: dual citizens must execute a personal and sworn renunciation of foreign citizenship to run for elective office.
When Can Power Generators Be Exempted from Power Delivery Charges
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when independent power producers may be exempt from Power Delivery Service charges for ancillary services.
Dual Citizens and Elective Office: The Sworn Renunciation Requirement Under R.A. 9225
Dual citizens must personally renounce foreign citizenship to run for office. The Supreme Court explains the rule.
Recomputation of Retirement Benefits: Step Increments and Special Allowances for Retired Justices
The Supreme Court clarifies that step increments and special allowances form part of the basic monthly salary base for computing judicial retirement benefits.
Protecting the Innocent: Statutory Rape and the Incapacity of Minors to Consent
Explaining statutory rape under Philippine law, why minors cannot legally consent, and how courts protect child victims.
No Back Salaries for Government Employees Dismissed in Good Faith: Protecting Public Funds
Supreme Court rules government employees dismissed in good faith are not entitled to back salaries upon reinstatement, upholding Octot v. Ybañez.
Gross Ignorance of Law Improper Denial of Preliminary Investigation Rights
SC rules judge liable for undue delay and improper denial of reinvestigation, violating accused's right to preliminary investigation.
Accountability IN THE Judiciary Negligence AND Dereliction OF Duty BY Court Officers
Philippine Airlines Retrenchment: Proving Financial Distress and Fair Implementation
The Supreme Court ruled PAL's 1998 mass retrenchment illegal for failure to prove losses and use fair criteria. Here's what employers must show.
Conditional Sale Buyers' Rights and Sellers' Obligations After Partial Payment
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies buyer and seller rights in contracts to sell, including when a buyer can demand a deed of absolute sale.
Finality of Judgments: Landowners Entitled to Timely Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform
A look at the Supreme Court ruling on finality of judgments and the right of landowners to prompt just compensation under agrarian reform.
Shared Maritime Tragedy Determining Liability In Collision At Sea
The MV Doña Paz and MT Vector collision case clarifies liability rules for common carriers and vessel owners in Philippine maritime law.
Leasehold vs Share Tenancy: Failure to Pay Rent Is Not Estafa Under Agrarian Reform
Supreme Court clarifies that agricultural leasehold tenants who fail to pay rent cannot be prosecuted for estafa, unlike share tenants.
Breach of Trust Establishing Estafa in Financial Misappropriation Cases
Explore when breach of trust constitutes estafa under Philippine law, and why agricultural leasehold tenants cannot be prosecuted for it.
Moonlighting and Employee Dismissal: Defining the Boundaries of Trust and Confidence
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when moonlighting justifies dismissal and how loss of trust and confidence must be proven.
Contractual Retirement Plans Prevail Defining Salary in Employee Benefit Agreements
Supreme Court rules that company retirement plans define salary base for benefits, and R.A. 7641 only applies when no plan exists or benefits fall below legal minimums.
Independent Contractor vs Employee: The Four-Fold Test in Philippine Labor Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the four-fold test distinguishing independent contractors from employers in labor disputes involving job contracting arrangements.
Illegal Dismissal: Employer's Burden to Prove Just Cause and the Finality of Judgments
A look at Pasiona v. CA, where the Supreme Court ruled on illegal dismissal, just cause, and the binding effect of counsel's negligence.
Heirship and Filiation: Proving Inheritance Rights in Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on proving filiation through baptismal certificates and the rights of heirs in property disputes.
Finality of Judgment: When a Lawyer's Negligence Does Not Deny Due Process
A dismissed employee's late appeal fails as the Supreme Court upholds finality of judgment despite counsel's negligence.
Holder in Due Course Protection Against Fraud in Negotiable Instruments
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how a holder in due course of a negotiable instrument is protected from fraud defenses, and when corporate veil piercing applies.