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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Parent Convicted of Qualified Rape of Minor Daughter: Supreme Court Affirms
Supreme Court affirms conviction of father for qualified rape of his minor daughter, reducing death penalty to reclusion perpetua under RA 9346.
Bank Certification Letters Are Not Guarantees: Lessons from Bank of Commerce v. Goodman Fielder
When is a bank's certification letter a binding guaranty? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on apparent authority and contractual interpretation.
Conviction for a Different Crime: When Courts Can Convict You of an Uncharged Offense
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a conviction for an offense not charged in the Information is valid under the Rules of Court.
Regular Employment vs Apprenticeship: Protecting Workers' Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when apprenticeship agreements cannot defeat regular employment status and workers' rights.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Parent Companies Face Liability for Labor Violations
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when parent companies can be held liable for subsidiaries' labor violations, explained for employees and businesses.
Incestuous Rape in the Philippines: Parental Authority, Consent, and the Law
Understand how Philippine courts treat incestuous rape by a father, the role of moral ascendancy, and the penalties imposed.
Breach of Trust Defining Qualified Rape and Parental Betrayal in Philippine Law
A father's rape of his 11-year-old daughter is qualified rape. The Supreme Court explains the rules on incestuous rape, penalty, and damages.
Preliminary Injunction and Possession Rights: Maunlad Homes v. Union Bank
When can a property owner be barred from collecting rentals? The Supreme Court explains the limits of ownership rights versus possession in Maunlad Homes v. Union Bank.
Ombudsman's Concurrent Authority Over Public School Teachers Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies that the Ombudsman shares concurrent disciplinary authority with DepEd over public school teachers, but estoppel may bar late jurisdictional challenges.
Breach OF Trust Examining THE Legal Implications OF Parental Rape IN THE Philippines
A father convicted of simple rape despite charges of qualified rape; the Court explains why minority and relationship must both be proven.
Tax Refunds vs. Tax Liabilities: Understanding Set-Offs in Philippine Tax Law
The Supreme Court explains when a tax refund claim can be denied due to an underpayment—and why set-off rules apply differently in tax cases.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: Establishing Alter Ego Liability in Philippine Law
When can a court disregard separate corporate personality and hold a subsidiary liable for its parent's debts? The Supreme Court explains.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Courts Hold Subsidiaries Liable
Philippine Supreme Court explains when courts may disregard corporate fiction and hold a subsidiary liable for a parent company's obligations.
Parental Privilege vs. Right to Testify: Scope in Philippine Law
When can a parent refuse to testify? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of parental and filial privilege in Philippine law.
Piercing THE Corporate Veil When CAN A Parent Company BE Liable FOR A Subsidiarys Debt
Unliquidated Claims When Repair Costs Cannot Offset Rental Payments IN Lease Agreements
When can a lessee offset repair costs against unpaid rent? The Supreme Court explains the rule on legal compensation in lease disputes.
Fraudulent Misrepresentation Differentiating Estafa From Complex Crime OF Estafa Through Falsification
Protecting Children: Upholding the Credibility of Child Victims in Parental Abuse Cases
A Supreme Court ruling explains why a child victim's testimony is given full weight in incestuous rape cases, and why an intact hymen does not disprove rape.
Sharia Courts and Property Disputes: Concurrent Jurisdiction in Muslim Mindanao
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling that Sharia District Courts share jurisdiction with regular courts over real property cases involving Muslims.
Parental Authority vs Incest: Upholding Conviction in Qualified Rape Cases
Supreme Court affirms qualified rape conviction of father, ruling that a father's moral ascendancy substitutes for force and resistance in incestuous rape.
Step Parent Rape Upholding THE Testimony OF A Child Victim
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on the credible testimony of the victim, rejecting the sweetheart defense.
Positive Identification Prevails Over Alibi in Philippine Murder Conviction
How the Supreme Court affirmed a murder conviction, ruling that credible eyewitness identification outweighs the inherently weak defense of alibi.
Filial Support When Grandparents Share the Duty to Support Grandchildren
When parents cannot support their children, grandparents may be obliged to help. The Supreme Court explains how this duty works.
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.