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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Disqualification vs. COC Cancellation: Timelines That Decide Election Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies the critical distinction between election disqualification petitions and petitions to cancel certificates of candidacy.
The PET Is Constitutional: Supreme Court Upholds Its Power Over Presidential Election Contests
The Supreme Court affirms the Presidential Electoral Tribunal's constitutionality, explaining how the Constitution grants it sole jurisdiction over presidential election contests.
Sterling Selections v. LLDA: When a "Cottage Industry" Claim Fails
The Court clarifies when a business qualifies as a cottage industry exempt from LLDA clearance, and when it must comply with environmental rules.
Citizenship Disputes and Electoral Timelines: Gonzalez v. COMELEC on Disqualification Petitions
The Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between disqualification and cancellation of COC petitions, and the strict 25-day filing period under the election code.
IBP Elections: Enforcing Rotation and Upholding Ethical Conduct in Bar Governance
The Supreme Court settles the 2009 IBP leadership crisis, affirming mandatory rotation rules and penalizing grave misconduct by bar officers.
Presidential Electoral Tribunal: Constitutionality and Powers Explained
Understand the PET's constitutional basis, its powers as sole judge of presidential election contests, and what Macalintal v. PET means for Philippine election law.
Retrenchment in the Philippines: Balancing Business Needs and Employee Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on valid retrenchment, including fair selection criteria and the 30-day notice requirement to DOLE.
Transparency in Elections: The Right to Review Source Codes for Automated Election Systems
The Supreme Court ruled that COMELEC must make AES source codes available for independent review under R.A. 9369.
Mootness Doctrine: Why an Active Legal Dispute Matters in Presidential Eligibility Cases
The Supreme Court explains why a moot case on presidential reelection eligibility was dismissed, and what this means for election law.
Federation Employee Eligibility Navigating Union Governance AND Election Rules
Supreme Court ruling on federation employees running for union office, election jurisdiction, and the binding force of constitutions.
Employer Liability for Employee Negligence: The Rule on Vicarious Responsibility in the Philippines
Philippine law makes employers solidarily liable for employee negligence unless they prove diligent selection and supervision. Learn the rule from a Supreme Court case.
Timeliness Matters: Appealing Election Protests and the Strict Application of Procedural Rules
The Supreme Court ruled that late appeals in election protests are fatal, even when the trial court erred on venue.
Estate Administration Prioritizing Family Ties Over Illegitimacy in Heir Selection
Supreme Court rules on appointing administrators, weighing family ties and adoption over illegitimacy bars in estate cases.
Coalition Registration Deadlines Are Mandatory in Philippine Election Law
Supreme Court rules COMELEC deadlines for coalition registration are mandatory, not merely directory, in Liberal Party v. COMELEC.
Safeguarding Suffrage: The Right to Information in Philippine Elections
The Supreme Court compels Comelec to disclose election preparations, affirming the people's right to information on matters of public concern.
Finality Prevails Reaffirming HRET Discretion in Electoral Protests
Supreme Court affirms HRET's discretion in ballot revision and upholds finality of judgments in election protests.
Condonation by Reelection Does Not Cover Appointive Officials, Supreme Court Rules
The Supreme Court held that the condonation doctrine, which spares reelected officials from liability for prior misconduct, does not extend to appointive officials.
Election Integrity: The Balance Between Ballot Preservation and Voter Rights
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on COMELEC execution pending appeal, ballot appreciation, and the delicate balance between election integrity and voter rights.
Protecting THE Integrity OF Ballots THE Imperative OF Evidence IN Philippine Election Contests
Agrarian Reform: DAR's Authority in Beneficiary Selection Prevails Over DARAB Adjudication
Supreme Court clarifies that identifying and selecting CARP farmer-beneficiaries is an exclusive administrative function of the DAR Secretary, not the DARAB.
When Election Returns Override Ballots in Philippine Election Protests
Philippine Supreme Court explains when election returns may be used instead of ballots in determining election protest winners.
Election Gun Ban and Airsoft Guns: What the Supreme Court Ruled
The Supreme Court upheld COMELEC's inclusion of airsoft guns in the election gun ban but excluded replicas and imitations.
Judicial Appointments and the Election Ban: De Castro v. Judicial and Bar Council
The Supreme Court rules on whether the President may appoint the Chief Justice during the election ban on midnight appointments.
Due Process in Election Protests: The Importance of Timely Evidence Presentation
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that due process in election protests means a reasonable opportunity to be heard—not unlimited time to present evidence.