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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Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies When Premature Court Intervention Fails
The Supreme Court affirms the dismissal of a police officer's back-pay suit, citing exhaustion of administrative remedies and the hierarchy of courts.
Illegal Dismissal: Employers Must Substantiate Claims and Observe Due Process
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on Atlas Farms v. NLRC clarifies employer burden of proof in illegal dismissal cases and due process requirements.
Silence Is Not Always Acquiescence: Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Delayed Reporting
Philippine Supreme Court explains why a child victim's silence and delayed reporting do not weaken a rape conviction, and clarifies penalties for sexual assault.
The Fine Line Between Homicide and Murder: Examining Intent and Superior Strength in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a shooting is homicide versus illegal discharge of firearm, and why conspiracy must be proven.
Annulment of Elections vs Election Protests: What Macabago v. COMELEC Teaches Us
The Supreme Court clarifies when election fraud claims belong in an election protest, not an annulment case.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Victim Credibility and Delay in Reporting Explained
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, explains why a child victim's testimony is credible despite delay in reporting and why alibi failed.
Insufficient Notice, Insufficient Funds: Safeguarding Rights in Bouncing Check Cases
A Supreme Court ruling explains why proper written notice of dishonor is essential before a person can be convicted under the Bouncing Checks Law.
Protecting the Vulnerable: The Importance of Age Verification in Rape Cases
How the Supreme Court upheld a rape conviction, emphasizing that a minor victim's delayed reporting does not weaken her credible testimony.
Court Stenographer Dismissed for Falsifying DTRs and Pocketing Colleague's Salary
Supreme Court dismisses court stenographer for forging DTRs and special powers of attorney to steal a colleague's salary for nearly two years.
Checks as Guarantee in Loan Agreements: No Estafa Without Deceit
Supreme Court clarifies that postdated checks as loan guarantees do not constitute estafa absent proof of fraud or deceit.
Reviving Election Mandates: How the Supreme Court Ensured the People's Choice Prevails
Learn how the Supreme Court protected the people's choice by reversing a disqualification and ordering the proclamation of the winning mayoral candidate.
When a Gunshot Is Not Murder: Conspiracy, Intent, and the Equipoise Rule
The Supreme Court clarifies when simultaneous gunfire is not conspiracy and how the equipoise rule can lead to acquittal.
Rape Conviction Stands but Death Penalty Falls: Proving the Victim's Age
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction but reduces the death penalty to reclusion perpetua, clarifying the burden of proving the victim's age.
When Courts Decide Rate Cases: Income Tax and Property Valuation in Public Utility Regulation
The Supreme Court ruled on how income tax and property valuation methods affect electricity rate determinations by the Energy Regulatory Board.
Buy-Bust Operations and Warrantless Arrests: The Balance Between Law Enforcement and Individual Rights
The Supreme Court explains when a buy-bust operation justifies a warrantless arrest and seizure of drugs, balancing police work and constitutional rights.
Treachery and Positive Identification: Conviction Upheld in Murder Case
The Supreme Court affirms a murder conviction based on positive identification by two eyewitnesses and treachery, despite the accused's alibi and denial.
Punctuality and Public Trust: Upholding Ethical Standards in Government Service
The Supreme Court ruled that personal hardships do not excuse habitual tardiness in public office, reaffirming punctuality as a core duty of government employees.
Meralco Rate Hike Ruling: Consumers Win as Supreme Court Shields Public From Utility's Income Tax
Supreme Court rules Meralco cannot pass income tax to consumers as operating expense, ordering refund of excess rate collections.
Positive Identification Over Alibi: Credibility in Murder Conviction
How the Supreme Court upheld a murder conviction based on eyewitness positive identification, rejecting alibi and affirming treachery in People v. Estrada.
Co-Owner's Right of Redemption Does Not Apply to Sales to Another Co-Owner
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when co-owners may redeem property sold to third persons, and when the right does not arise.
Parental Authority vs. Abuse: How Philippine Law Protects Children in Rape Cases
In People v. Abellano, the Supreme Court affirmed a father's death sentence for raping his 14-year-old daughter, ruling that parental authority substitutes for force.
Proving Treachery and Evident Premeditation: People v. Loterono on Homicide vs. Murder
The Supreme Court explains why treachery and evident premeditation must be proven beyond reasonable doubt to convict for murder, not homicide.
Shifting Sands of Evidence: Drug Sale Convictions and the Weight of Testimony
A look at how the Supreme Court weighs conflicting police testimonies in drug busts, and why aggravating circumstances must be alleged in the information.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Parental Authority vs Incestuous Rape in Philippine Law
A father raped his two daughters. The Supreme Court affirmed conviction but reduced the death penalty to reclusion perpetua for failure to allege the victim's age.