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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Most Favored Treatment Clause in Telecom: What PLDT v. Bacolod Means for Tax Exemptions
The Supreme Court rules that Section 23 of RA 7925 does not grant automatic tax exemptions to telecom companies. Learn what this means.
Employer Status and Return-to-Work Orders: PLDT v. MKP on Labor Disputes
The Supreme Court rules on the limits of the Labor Secretary's power to exclude redundant workers from return-to-work orders under Article 263(g).
Criminal VS Civil When A Civil Court Ruling Doesnt Stop A Criminal Trial
A civil court ruling that seems to favor the accused does not automatically stop a criminal prosecution. Learn the rules on prejudicial questions, res judicata, and motion to quash.
Graft Case Lessons When Good Faith Defenses Fail Public Officials
A mayor's conviction under Section 3(e) of RA 3019 shows when good faith defenses fail public officials in graft cases.
Abuse OF Discretion When Courts Override Prosecutor Decisions IN Theft Cases
Protecting Labor's Bread: Defining Employee Status and Rights to Benefits in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on security of tenure, back salaries, and the binding authority of CSC regional offices in personnel matters.
Dual Employment in the Public Sector: When Service Becomes a Violation of Duty
The Supreme Court clarifies when accepting public sector positions and practicing law can violate the Constitution, Civil Service rules, and the lawyer's oath.
Lawyer Suspended for Dual Government Posts and Unauthorized Private Practice
Supreme Court suspends lawyer for six months for holding a prohibited second government post and engaging in private practice without required written permission.
Withdrawal of Information vs Dismissal: What the Supreme Court Said
The Supreme Court clarifies when a motion to withdraw information is final, and how prosecutors must weigh both sides in preliminary investigation.
CBA Scholarship Benefits Resolving Ambiguities IN Favor OF Labor
Security agency loses bid to exempt receivables from garnishment; Court applies labor-friendly rule on execution exemptions.
Service of Summons on Corporations: Who Can Validly Receive It
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies who may validly receive summons for a corporation, including management committee members under SEC supervision.
Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies: Due Process in PNP Dismissal Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that dismissed PNP officers must exhaust all administrative remedies, including appeals to the DILG Secretary and CSC, before seeking court intervention.
Upholding Finality When Failure to Prosecute Leads to Dismissal on the Merits
Learn how skipping an administrative appeal and a motion for reconsideration can prove fatal to a case, as shown in this Philippine Supreme Court ruling.
Mortgage Foreclosure and the Court's Ministerial Duty: Zarate v. Maybank
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on dismissal for failure to prosecute in a mortgage foreclosure redemption case.
Conditional Sales of Land: Upholding Contractual Obligations in Real Estate Transactions
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on foreclosure, redemption rights, and the consequences of failing to prosecute a case for injunction.
Employer Responsibility in Outsourcing: When a Client Is Not the Employer
The Supreme Court explains when a company that hires security guards through an agency is not their employer, and the four tests that determine employer-employee relationships.
Neglect of Duty by Court Security Guards: Accountability in the Judiciary
The Supreme Court holds two security guards liable for simple neglect of duty after a reporter entered the Baguio compound unauthorized.
Appeal Bonds in Labor Disputes: Ensuring Workers' Claims Are Secured
Learn how appeal bonds protect workers' monetary claims in labor disputes, based on a Philippine Supreme Court ruling on seasonal employment.
Regular vs Seasonal Employment: Rights of Sugar Plantation Workers
Supreme Court clarifies when seasonal sugar workers become regular employees entitled to security of tenure and full labor rights.
Probationary Employment Termination Requires Just Cause AND Due Process
Probationary employees enjoy security of tenure. Employers must prove just cause and observe due process when terminating them.
Ombudsman's Discretion Prevails: Challenging Prosecutorial Decisions in the Philippines
The Supreme Court affirms the Ombudsman's broad discretion in prosecutorial decisions, clarifying limits on challenging dismissals of motions to quash.
Beyond Borders Protecting Overseas Workers From Illegal Dismissal
When can a sugar worker be considered a regular employee? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on security of tenure in Hacienda Bino v. Cuenca.
Regular vs Seasonal Employment: Security of Tenure for Sugar Plantation Workers
When are sugar plantation workers regular employees entitled to security of tenure, not seasonal workers? The Supreme Court explains in Hacienda Bino v. Cuenca.
Preliminary Investigation After Substantial Amendment: Due Process in Amended Criminal Charges
When can prosecutors amend criminal charges without a new preliminary investigation? The Supreme Court clarifies the due process rule.