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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Judicial Efficiency Mandate: A Judge's Duty to Resolve Motions Promptly
Supreme Court holds judges must resolve motions within prescribed periods; lack of personnel is no excuse for delay.
Forged Signatures and Good Faith: Protecting Property Rights in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains how forged deeds are void and why buyers must verify titles and possession before purchasing property.
Option to Buy: Exercising Rights Without Immediate Payment
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that an option to buy can be exercised without immediate payment, but only under specific conditions.
When Contractors Overstate Work: COA's Audit Power and Quantum Meruit in Government Projects
The Supreme Court affirms COA's power to determine actual work accomplished and recover overpayments from government contractors under quantum meruit.
When Retirement Is Not Voluntary: Illegal Dismissal and Security of Tenure in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when an employee's "retirement" is actually illegal dismissal, protecting security of tenure.
Probationary Employment Due Process and Termination Standards in the Philippine Civil Service
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies probationary employee termination rules, due process requirements, and civil service tenure protections.
Labor Disputes vs Torts: When Claims Fall Outside NLRC Jurisdiction
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that labor arbiters and NLRC lack jurisdiction over tort claims that do not arise from employer-employee relations.
Sheriffs Duty Upholding Impartiality AND Avoiding Misconduct IN Executing Court Orders
Prescription and Work-Related Illness: Protecting Employees' Right to Compensation
Learn how the Supreme Court protected a widow's employees' compensation claim, ruling on prescription periods and work-related heart attacks.
Reassessing Criminal Liability From Murder TO Homicide Based ON Absence OF Evident Premeditation
The Supreme Court clarifies when a killing is homicide, not murder, absent proof of evident premeditation, and explains conspiracy liability.
Force, Theft, and Rape: How the Supreme Court Weighs Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
In a 2003 rape case, the Supreme Court acquitted two men after finding the complainant's testimony riddled with inconsistencies. Here is what the ruling teaches.
Judicial Accountability When Judges Notarize Outside Their Authority
A Supreme Court ruling reminds judges that the power to notarize ex officio is narrow, and that notarizing a document without the affiant present is a serious breach.
Forcible Entry: Why Even Property Owners Cannot Eject Occupants by Force
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: owners cannot forcibly eject occupants, even trespassers. Learn the legal remedies for recovering possession.
Meralco Rate Case: Balancing Public Interest and Utility Profits in Philippine Power Regulation
The Supreme Court affirms rate regulation balancing utility profits and consumer protection in a landmark Meralco case.
Purchasers Beware: Rule 74 Section 4 Annotations and Real Estate Risk
A Supreme Court ruling explains why buyers cannot claim good faith when a title bears a Rule 74, Section 4 annotation.
When Is a Shipping Company a Common Carrier? Lessons from Philamgen v. PKS Shipping
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a shipping firm is a common carrier and how extraordinary diligence affects liability for lost cargo.
Local Governments vs National Corporations: Who Pays Franchise Taxes
Supreme Court rules government-owned corporations like NPC must pay local franchise taxes under the Local Government Code.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Positive Identification Prevails Over Alibi
Philippine Supreme Court affirms robbery-with-rape conviction, ruling that victims' positive identification outweighs alibi and that unconscious rape still constitutes the crime.
Defining Common Carriers When A Limited Clientele Doesnt Equal Private Carriage
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a shipping firm with a limited clientele can still be a common carrier under the Civil Code.
Property Rights vs Due Process: When Forceful Eviction Is Illegal
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: owners cannot forcibly eject occupants, even trespassers, without court order. Know your rights.
Rent Obligations Remain Lease Contracts Survive Land Ownership Changes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether a change in land ownership cancels a lease contract and excuses unpaid rent.
Due Process in Administrative Dismissals: The Impermissibility of Hasty Decisions on Unauthenticated Evidence
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why administrative dismissals cannot rest on unauthenticated evidence and the importance of due process.
Upholding Judicial Integrity Strict Adherence TO Raffle Procedures AND Truthfulness IN Court Orders
When a Judge's Private Misconduct Ends a Judicial Career: Gross Immorality and Its Consequences
A Supreme Court ruling shows how a judge's extramarital affair led to dismissal from service and suspension from law practice.