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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Traffic Violations and Negligence: When Res Ipsa Loquitur Applies in Vehicle Accidents
A Supreme Court ruling explains how traffic violations like illegal overtaking establish negligence, and when res ipsa loquitur applies.
Attorney's Fees and Quantum Meruit: Fair Compensation for Legal Services in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts determine reasonable attorney's fees and quantum meruit principles, with insights from a Supreme Court ruling on contractual obligations.
Mining Rights and State Control: The Limits of Exploration Permits in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on exploration permits, vested rights, and state control over mineral reservations under the Mining Act.
When Loan Restructuring Terms Must Be in Writing: The Marcopper Case
A Supreme Court ruling on why unwritten conditions in loan restructuring cannot be enforced, and the binding nature of written agreements.
Liberty vs Military Authority: Balancing Rights in the Philippine Armed Forces
Supreme Court ruling on a general's preventive suspension and arrest, clarifying due process and injunctive relief in military discipline cases.
Judicial Overreach: Defining the Limits of Disciplinary Authority in the Philippine Judiciary
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that executive judges cannot unilaterally impose penalties on court personnel, reaffirming the Court's exclusive disciplinary power.
Mortgage Rights Prevail Over Prior Unregistered Sale: Good Faith Purchasers Protected
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how a registered mortgage prevails over an earlier unregistered sale, protecting good faith purchasers.
Article 448 and Final Judgments: Clarifying an Incomplete Fallo in Property Disputes
A Supreme Court ruling on when courts may complete an ambiguous dispositive portion even after finality, applying Article 448.
Illegal Recruitment and Estafa: When Overseas Job Promises Turn Into Crimes
Learn how Philippine courts punish syndicated illegal recruitment and estafa, based on a Supreme Court ruling on fake overseas job schemes.
Dacion en Pago Perfecting Ownership Despite Prior Encumbrances
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on dacion en pago, mortgage liens, and the right to compel surrender of a certificate of title.
Banking Law: Directors Borrowing and the Necessity of Board Approval
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when bank directors and officers may borrow from their own bank and why board approval is mandatory.
Mortgage Rights Prevail: Protecting Secured Creditors in Labor Disputes
Supreme Court ruling on secured creditors' mortgage rights versus labor judgment execution, and the limits of piercing the corporate veil.
When Property Titles Arent Always What They Seem Understanding Encumbrances AND Conditional Sales
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a reconveyance claim prescribes, distinguishing fraud from intimidation, and the importance of due process in property disputes.
Jurisdiction Thresholds: Which Court Hears Real Property Disputes Based on Assessed Value
Philippine court jurisdiction over real property disputes hinges on assessed value. Learn the P20,000 threshold rule from a Supreme Court ruling.
Right of Way Cannot Be Acquired by Continuous Use Alone; Title or Written Agreement Required
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: easement of right of way is discontinuous, cannot be acquired by prescription or mere continuous use.
Second Chance Appeals: COMELEC's Duty to Allow Correction of Election Fee Payments
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when corporate officers may be held personally liable for a corporation's unpaid obligations under the Corporation Code.
Breach of Contract Assignees Rights and Developer Liability for Erroneous Construction
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on developer liability for erroneous construction and the rights of lot buyers as assignees.
Cashier's Failure to Report Time Card Tampering Justifies Dismissal for Breach of Trust
Supreme Court ruling on cashier dismissal for failing to report time card tampering, explaining breach of trust and due process in Philippine labor law.
Naturalization Denied: Understanding Grave Abuse of Discretion in Citizenship Petitions
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when certiorari is proper in naturalization cases and why appeal, not certiorari, is the correct remedy.
Basketball Governance Validating Membership FOR Voting Rights IN Sports Associations
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on membership validation as prerequisite to voting rights in sports associations, citing the BAP-SBP case.
When Illness Leads to Dismissal: Proving Abandonment in Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on illegal dismissal, abandonment of work, and employer's burden of proof in termination cases.
Mitigating Circumstances and Indeterminate Sentences: Balancing Justice and Individual Factors in Robbery Case
A Supreme Court ruling on how analogous mitigating circumstances and the Indeterminate Sentence Law shape penalties in robbery convictions.
Positive Identification Prevails: Police Blotter Discrepancies Do Not Nullify Witness Testimony
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies that minor inconsistencies in police blotter entries do not automatically destroy a victim's credible, positive identification of the accused.
Squatters Rights vs Absentee Landlords: Resolving Land Disputes in Urban Reform
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on absentee landowners vs renters in urban land reform, explaining who qualifies for lot awards under the Zonal Improvement Program.