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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Writ OF Possession Ministerial Duty VS Redemption Rights IN Foreclosure Sales
Resolutory Conditions and Airport Expansion: Land Ownership Reversion in Philippine Law
When government stops using expropriated land for its stated purpose, ownership may revert to the original owner under a resolutory condition.
Bail Rights in the Philippines: Understanding When and How They Can Be Restricted
Philippine law guarantees bail as a matter of right for most offenses. A Supreme Court ruling explains when courts may restrict it.
Credibility in Buy-Bust Operations: Minor Inconsistencies Do Not Destroy a Conviction
Minor inconsistencies in police testimony do not weaken a buy-bust conviction when the essential facts are consistent and credible.
Abandonment vs Illegal Dismissal: Protecting Workers' Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between abandonment and illegal dismissal, protecting workers who file complaints after being reprimanded.
Docket Fees and Delayed Justice: Perfecting Appeals Despite Poverty
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that poverty excuses late payment of docket fees in appeals, ensuring access to justice for indigent litigants.
Election LAW Challenging Board OF Canvassers Decisions ON Ballot Integrity
Burden of Proof in Sexual Harassment Cases: Substantial Evidence Required
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that sexual harassment complaints must be proven by substantial evidence, not bare allegations, in administrative cases.
Buy-Bust Conviction Affirmed: Court Upholds Life Sentence for Shabu Sale
Supreme Court affirms life imprisonment for two women caught selling shabu in a buy-bust operation, ruling prosecution proved guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Best Evidence Rule: Photocopies vs Electronic Documents in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when photocopies qualify as electronic evidence and why the best evidence rule still applies.
Abandonment vs Illegal Dismissal: Proving Intent to Abandon Employment
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the two requisites for valid dismissal due to abandonment, emphasizing employer's burden of proof.
Dismissal of Appeals: Balancing Procedural Rules and Substantial Justice
The Supreme Court reminds courts that procedural rules serve justice, not defeat it, in dismissing appeals on technical grounds.
Eminent Domain vs Easement: Fair Compensation for Power Line Construction
Supreme Court clarifies when power line projects require full just compensation rather than a mere easement fee.
Overcoming Documentary Evidence Proving True Ownership IN Philippine Property Disputes
Learn how Philippine courts weigh documentary evidence in property disputes, and how to overcome challenges to prove true ownership.
Bare Denials Cannot Overcome Positive Testimony in Buy-Bust Drug Convictions
Explore how the Supreme Court affirmed drug convictions despite denials, emphasizing the weight of positive police testimony in buy-bust operations.
Perfecting Appeals Timeliness AND Required Documents IN Philippine LAW
Learn the rules on timely appeals and required documents in Philippine law, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in National Power Corporation v. Codilla.
Unconscionable Interest Rates Protecting Borrowers From Excessive Loan Charges
Philippine courts can void excessive interest rates and reset loans to the legal rate. Learn how the Espiritu v. Landrito ruling protects borrowers.
Res Judicata Does Not Bar Recovery of Title After a Money Judgment
A final money judgment does not bar a later suit to recover a property title, the Supreme Court ruled, because the two cases have different causes of action.
Can Co-Owned Property Be Sold When One Owner Refuses? A Philippine Case Study
Explore when co-owned property can be sold against an owner's wishes, plus key lessons from a Philippine Supreme Court ruling on ownership disputes.
Finality of Judgments: Why a Belated Appeal Cannot Revive a Case
The Supreme Court explains why a late motion for reconsideration makes a Court of Appeals decision final and executory, binding all parties.
Finality of Judgments: Untimely Motion for Reconsideration in Administrative Cases
An untimely motion for reconsideration makes a Court of Appeals decision final and executory, binding all parties in administrative cases.
Lawyer Suspended for Misappropriating Client Funds and Issuing Bouncing Check
Supreme Court suspends lawyer for one year for failing to return client's P100,000 and issuing a bouncing check.
Cash Deposits in Election Protests: Individual or Joint Responsibility?
In Soriano v. COMELEC, the Supreme Court ruled that each protestant must pay the full cash deposit for ballot revision, not share it with co-protestants.
Filing Baseless Complaints: Upholding Ethical Standards and Preventing Abuse of Legal Processes
The Supreme Court clarifies that withdrawing an administrative complaint against judges cannot stop disciplinary proceedings, ensuring accountability.