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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Dismissed Appeal: Why Following Court Rules Matters in Philippine Litigation
A Supreme Court ruling shows why procedural rules matter: a Rule 43 petition wrongly filed against a DOJ resolution was dismissed.
Executive Privilege vs Legislative Oversight: Defining the Limits of Presidential Power
The Supreme Court struck down E.O. 464's blanket ban on executive officials appearing before Congress, clarifying the proper scope of executive privilege in legislative inquiries.
Prescription and Foreclosure: Understanding Timelines in Philippine Mortgage Law
Learn when prescription bars mortgage foreclosure actions in the Philippines, and why courts—not litigants—decide the issue.
Non-Retroactivity of BIR Rulings: The Benguet Case and Taxpayer Protection
Learn how the Supreme Court protects taxpayers from retroactive BIR rulings, based on the landmark Benguet Corporation case.
Bound by Your Lawyer’s Mistakes? Client Responsibility Under Philippine Law
Philippine courts generally hold clients responsible for their lawyers' negligence. Only gross negligence that deprives a client of due process warrants relief.
When Can Loss of Trust Justify Employee Dismissal in Philippine Labor Law
Loss of trust justifies dismissal only for positions of confidence and must rest on substantial evidence, not mere suspicion.
Who Is in Delay in Reciprocal Obligations? Philippine Contract of Sale Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when delay begins in reciprocal obligations under a contract of sale, and why mutual default cancels out.
Burden of Proof in Philippine Contract Law: Why Evidence Matters in Usage-Based Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on Skippers United Pacific v. NLRC clarifies employer burden of proof in seafarer dismissal cases and evidentiary standards.
Due Process at Sea: Seafarers' Rights Against Illegal Dismissal in Philippine Law
Understand the Supreme Court's ruling on due process and loss of trust in dismissing confidential employees under Philippine law.
Land Conversion AND Tenant Rights Navigating Philippine Agrarian LAW
Illegal Dismissal for Medical Emergency Leave: Ting v. Ismael Case Guide
Learn when leaving work for a medical emergency is not just cause for dismissal, and the due process rules employers must follow.
Due Process in Philippine Courts: Postponements and Witness Testimony
How Philippine courts weigh witness credibility, illumination, and minor inconsistencies in criminal trials.
Res Judicata in Philippine Land Disputes: Why a Reconstitution Case Doesn't Block Ownership Claims
A title reconstitution case doesn't settle ownership. Learn how res judicata applies in Philippine land disputes and protects your property rights.
Liability for Flood Damage: Private vs Public Drainage Systems
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a lessor is liable for flood damage—distinguishing private drainage maintenance from public sewer responsibility.
Breach of Trust: Understanding Estafa and Criminal Liability in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court defines estafa by misappropriation under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code and what it means for your liability.
Judicial Accountability: The 90-Day Rule and Why Judges Cannot Blame Court Staff
A Supreme Court ruling reminds judges that the 90-day decision period is mandatory, and blaming staff will not excuse delay.
When Fear Is Not Enough: Unlawful Aggression in Philippine Self-Defense Cases
Philippine law requires actual unlawful aggression for self-defense claims. Learn what counts and what does not under the Revised Penal Code.
When Judges Must Dismiss Cases: The 90-Day Rule and Judicial Accountability in the Philippines
Philippine judges have a constitutional 90-day period to decide cases. This article explains the rule, its exceptions, and what happens when judges delay.
Philippine Guaranty Law: Sureties Liable Even Without Dishonor Protest
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies that guarantors and sureties remain liable on discounted export bills even without a formal protest of dishonor.
Fixed-Term vs Regular Employment: Know Your Rights in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when fixed-term employment contracts are valid and when they violate the security of tenure of regular employees.
Judges Cannot Blame Staff for Delayed Decisions: Supreme Court Ruling on Court Records
The Supreme Court held that a judge cannot pass the blame to court staff for delays in deciding cases, affirming that docket management is ultimately the judge's duty.
Piercing THE Corporate Veil When CAN A Company BE Held Liable FOR Anothers Debt
Real Party-in-Interest and CIAC Jurisdiction in Construction Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies indispensable parties and CIAC jurisdiction in construction arbitration, using the Heritage Park case as a guide.
Easement of Right of Way: Balancing Access and Property Rights in Subdivision Developments
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies temporary easement rules for subdivision access, distinguishing preliminary injunctions from permanent rights of way.