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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Treachery and Conspiracy in Stone Pelting: Understanding Murder Convictions in the Philippines
How the Supreme Court applied treachery and conspiracy to uphold murder convictions in a fatal stone-pelting attack in Sorsogon.
Judicial Ethics Judges Must Uphold Impartiality AND Avoid Appearance OF Impropriety
Perfected Land Sale vs. Subsequent Buyers: Good Faith and Notice in Property Disputes
A Supreme Court ruling shows how a perfected and partly consummated land sale defeats later buyers who had notice of a prior adverse claim.
Judicial Delay: A Judge's Duty to Decide Cases on Time and Uphold Public Trust
The Supreme Court holds judges accountable for undue delay in deciding cases, reaffirming the constitutional mandate for timely justice and public confidence in the judiciary.
Perfecting a Sale vs. Transfer of Ownership: Forged Documents and Land Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when ownership transfers in a sale, and why forged documents cannot defeat a registered owner's title.
Murder Conviction Upheld: Credibility of Witnesses and Civil Damages in People v. Pacuancuan
Supreme Court affirms murder conviction based on witness credibility, clarifies damages for death by treachery in People v. Pacuancuan.
Workplace Brawl Upholding Conduct Standards FOR Court Employees
Court employees who brawl in office face administrative liability, even if they later settle their differences privately.
Positive Identification Prevails Over Alibi in Murder Conviction
The Supreme Court explains why eyewitness identification by face outweighs alibi and how treachery must be proven in murder cases.
Guilt Beyond Silence: How Confessions to Friends Can Seal Your Fate in Philippine Courts
A Supreme Court ruling shows that admitting a crime to a friend can be used as evidence against you in Philippine courts.
When Can a Corporate President Bind the Corporation? Lessons from Inter-Asia v. Asia Industries
A corporate president can bind the corporation even without board authority under apparent authority. Learn the rules from this Supreme Court case.
When Robbery Evidence Fails: Acquittal for Lack of Corpus Delicti
The Supreme Court acquits an accused in robbery with homicide where the prosecution failed to prove the taking of property, explaining the necessity of establishing corpus delicti beyond reasonable do
Upholding Ethical Standards Attorney Suspension FOR Notarial Negligence IN Deed Falsification
Presumption of Innocence and Proof Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Rape Cases
The Supreme Court acquits a father of four rape counts, ruling that vague testimony and medical findings alone cannot overcome the presumption of innocence.
Upholding Justice Over Technicalities When Courts Must Look Beyond Procedural Errors
Court personnel who peddle influence betray the judiciary. This case shows why honesty and integrity are non-negotiable.
Eyewitness Testimony and Proof Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Murder Cases
How the Supreme Court weighed eyewitness accounts against a self-defense claim, and why a killing at the spur of the moment is homicide, not murder.
Intervention Denied: Maritime Liens, Forum Shopping in Ship Mortgage Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies when mortgagees may intervene in crew wage claims and warns against forum shopping in vessel foreclosure cases.
Competency of Witnesses: Testimony of Persons with Mental Retardation in Rape Cases
The Supreme Court affirms that a person with mental retardation can be a competent witness in rape cases if able to perceive and relate facts.
Challenging the Frame-Up Defense: Upholding Convictions in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court explains why the frame-up defense rarely succeeds in drug cases and what prosecutors must prove.
Corporate Officers' Apparent Authority and Breach of Warranties in Stock Sales
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on corporate president's apparent authority to bind company and breach of warranty claims in stock purchase agreements.
Gross Receipts Tax on Banks Includes Withheld Interest Income
Supreme Court rules the 20% final withholding tax on interest income forms part of a bank's gross receipts for gross receipts tax purposes.
Per Diem vs Other Compensation: Allowable Remuneration for Water District Board Members
The Supreme Court clarifies that water district board members may receive only per diems under PD 198, not allowances or bonuses.
When a Lease Renews Month-to-Month: The Right of First Refusal and Tacita Reconduccion
The Supreme Court explains what happens to a lease's option-to-buy clause when the lease renews on a month-to-month basis after expiration.
Mortgage Validity and Protecting Property Rights Against Unauthorized Encumbrances
When a lease expires and a new agreement supersedes it, the original terms—including a right of first refusal—may no longer bind the parties or the buyer.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Positive Identification and Use of Deadly Weapon Establish Guilt Beyond Reasonable Dou
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, ruling that the victim's positive identification and the use of a knife prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.