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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When a Lawyer's Negligence Can Void a Judgment: Extrinsic Fraud in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when lawyer negligence amounts to extrinsic fraud that can annul a judgment, and when it does not.
Safeguarding Due Process: Understanding Indirect Contempt in Philippine Courts
The Supreme Court reminds the IBP that formal investigation is mandatory in lawyer discipline cases, ensuring due process before any penalty.
Safeguarding Your Appeal: Due Process and Lawyer Negligence in Philippine Courts
When a lawyer's mistakes cost a client her case, can the judgment be annulled? The Supreme Court explains the limits of extrinsic fraud and counsel negligence.
Police Abuse of Power: Understanding Robbery by Intimidation in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when police officers commit robbery by intimidation and how abuse of public position affects the penalty.
No License, No Case: Understanding Illegal Recruitment Convictions in the Philippines
The Supreme Court acquits a recruiter for lack of POEA certification, clarifying the prosecution's burden in illegal recruitment cases.
Positive Identification in Robbery With Homicide: Why Eyewitness Testimony Matters in Philippine Criminal Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on eyewitness identification, credibility of relatives, and why alibi fails against positive identification.
When Eyewitness Testimony and Conspiracy Lead to Conviction: Murder Liability in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on murder conviction based on eyewitness identification, conspiracy, and treachery, and why alibi fails.
Employee vs Independent Contractor: SSS Coverage for Farmworkers in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a "pakyaw (piece-rate) basis considered an employee entitled to compulsory Social Security System (SSS) coverage? The ruling is a reminder that the label used b
When Philippine Courts Uphold Rape Convictions Based on Witness Credibility
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Bantayan on trial court credibility findings and sufficiency of evidence in rape cases.
Invalid Promulgation of Judgment: When Philippine Courts Fail to Follow Procedure
Philippine Supreme Court explains what makes a valid promulgation in absentia and when the accused's right to appeal accrues.
Eyewitness Identification in Philippine Kidnapping Cases: Garalde v. People Explained
How Philippine courts assess eyewitness identification in kidnapping cases, explained through the Supreme Court's ruling in Garalde v. People.
Philippine Election Law: Ballot Appreciation and Voter Intent in Ong v. Comelec
How the Supreme Court protects voter intent in ballot appreciation, using Ong v. Comelec to explain stray votes, markings, and validity rules.
Fixed Terms for Constitutional Commissioners: The Gaminde Case on Staggered Terms
The Supreme Court clarifies that a constitutional commissioner's term follows the staggered system, not the appointment paper's date, as shown in Gaminde.
Conspiracy and Homicide vs Murder: Understanding Criminal Liability in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies conspiracy, treachery, and qualifying circumstances in homicide versus murder convictions.
Missed Deadlines Lost Inheritance Understanding Appeal Periods IN Philippine Estate Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how missed appeal deadlines in estate cases can cost heirs their inheritance rights.
Reasonable Time for Searches: Balancing Rights and Law Enforcement
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when nighttime searches are reasonable and how the witness-to-search rule works.
Attempted Robbery With Homicide: Key Lessons From a Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
Understand the special complex crime of attempted robbery with homicide under Philippine law, using insights from People v. Macabales.
Eyewitness Testimony Under Scrutiny Safeguarding Justice In Philippine Robbery With Homicide Cases
The Supreme Court acquits a robbery with homicide suspect, stressing that uncertain eyewitness identification cannot sustain a conviction beyond reasonable doubt.
Prescription Periods in Graft Cases: The Discovery Rule for Ill-Gotten Wealth
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when the prescription period for graft cases begins—from discovery, not commission, of the offense.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: Fraud and Mismanagement as Grounds for Corporate Liability
The Supreme Court explains when courts may disregard corporate fiction and why mere control or mismanagement is not enough.
When Self-Defense Fails: Unlawful Aggression and Reasonable Necessity in Philippine Law
When does self-defense hold up in Philippine courts? The Supreme Court explains unlawful aggression and reasonable necessity in People v. Dela Cruz.
Regalian Doctrine vs Indigenous Rights: The IPRA Landmark Case
The Supreme Court's 7-7 split in Cruz v. DENR left the IPRA intact, shaping how ancestral domains and the Regalian doctrine interact today.
When Domestic Discipline Turns Deadly: Murder and Cruelty in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling on murder qualified by cruelty examines domestic abuse, criminal liability, and the exemption of relatives as accessories.
Regalian Doctrine vs Indigenous Rights: The IPRA Constitutionality Ruling
The Supreme Court's equally divided vote in Cruz v. DENR left the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act intact, shaping Philippine land law.