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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
SEC Authority to Regulate Fees Upheld to Protect Investors
The Supreme Court affirms SEC's power to regulate fees, protecting investors from excessive charges in securities transactions.
Theft vs Robbery: Intent to Gain and Positive Identification in Philippine Criminal Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies theft elements, intent to gain, and why positive identification beats denial and alibi in criminal cases.
Burden of Proof in Philippine Criminal Law: Affirmative Testimony vs Denial
How Philippine courts weigh affirmative testimony against bare denial in criminal and civil cases, with practical guidance.
When Judges and Court Employees Fall Short: Ethical Standards in Personal Disputes
A Supreme Court ruling on judges and clerks who mishandled bail bonds and settlement funds, and the ethical standards for court personnel.
Conjugal Property Support Illegitimate Children Family Code Rules
Supreme Court clarifies when conjugal property may be levied to satisfy support obligations for illegitimate children under the Family Code.
Expropriation of Small Lots Upheld: The Limits of RA 7279's Exemption Rule
Supreme Court clarifies when small property owners may be exempt from expropriation, and the prospective effect of RA 7279.
Railroad Negligence Establishing Liability FOR Unsafe Crossings
Redundancy Dismissal: Fair Criteria and Due Notice Under Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on redundancy dismissal: employers must prove fair criteria and give proper notice to DOLE and employees.
Reinstatement and Full Backwages for Illegal Dismissal: What Employers Must Prove in Redundancy Cases
The Supreme Court explains when redundancy dismissals are illegal and why reinstatement with full backwages is the remedy.
The Binding Nature of Counsel's Negligence: Implications for Litigants
Explore how counsel's negligence binds clients in Philippine litigation, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Gulmatico v. People.
Dishonesty in Public Service: Falsifying Credentials Leads to Dismissal
Falsifying a Personal Data Sheet to claim a college degree is gross dishonesty warranting dismissal from public service, even on first offense.
Business Closure Due to Fire: Employer Prerogative vs. Employee Rights
When fire destroys a business, can employees claim illegal dismissal? The Supreme Court explains the rules on closure and separation pay.
Forum Shopping Certification and Verification Defects: Strict Compliance in Philippine Courts
A defective certification against forum shopping and verification can get a petition dismissed. Learn the strict rules from Gabriel v. Court of Appeals.
Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt Affirming Conviction Despite Co-Conspirators' Acquittal
Conviction of one conspirator can stand despite acquittal of co-accused, as the Supreme Court affirms in People v. Dulay.
Jurisdiction Over Foreign Corporations and Proper Summons in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when foreign corporations are "doing business" and how summons must be served on them.
Eminent Domain and Just Compensation: Why Courts—Not Agencies—Fix Fair Value
Supreme Court clarifies that RTCs, not DAR adjudicators, have original jurisdiction over just compensation in agrarian expropriation cases.
Automatic Lease Rescission: When an Accidental Fire Ends a Lease
Explaining Felsan Realty v. Commonwealth of Australia: when a fire is accidental, a lessee may automatically rescind a lease and claim refunds.
Buy-Bust Operations in Drug Cases: When Arrests and Evidence Are Valid
Learn when warrantless arrests and searches in buy-bust operations are legal, and how evidence stays admissible in Philippine drug cases.
When Landlocked Property Demands Passage: Establishing a Legal Right of Way in the Philippines
Philippine law allows landlocked owners to demand a right of way, but only after meeting four strict requirements. Learn the rules from a Supreme Court ruling.
Negligence vs Gross Negligence in Medical Malpractice: The Ilao-Oreta Standard
The Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between ordinary negligence and gross negligence in medical malpractice, and when damages may be awarded.
The Perils of Oversight: Delineating Negligence and Liability in Medical Practice
A missed surgery due to a time-zone error tests the line between ordinary and gross negligence in medical practice, shaping damage awards.
Bail and State Witness Rules in Murder and Parricide Cases: The Valerio Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when bail may be denied and when an accused may be discharged as state witness in murder and parricide cases.
Compressed Workweek Legality in the Philippines: Economic Downturn vs. Workers' Rights
The Supreme Court ruled that a company cannot cut workdays to three per week just because it suffered losses—financial hardship must be proven with convincing evidence.
Contractual Obligations and Third Party Rights in Property Lease Disputes
Supreme Court ruling on when lease penalties bind only contracting parties, not property owners who are third parties to the contract.