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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Death of Accused Before Final Judgment: Civil Liability Extinguished Under Bayotas Doctrine
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that death of accused before final judgment extinguishes criminal and civil liability ex delicto, but separate civil action may survive.
Civil Liability After Death of Accused: Quasi-Delicts in Philippine Law
When an accused dies before final judgment, criminal liability ends. But civil liability may survive through quasi-delicts. Learn the rules.
Corporate Liability vs Personal Guarantee: Surety Agreements in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a continuing surety agreement covers corporate debts and when it does not bind the surety.
When Silence Becomes Conspiracy: Understanding Criminal Liability in Estafa Cases
Explore when silence or inaction can be treated as conspiracy in estafa, using the landmark Rosa Lim case as a guide.
Bouncing Checks Law: Corporate Officers Personally Liable for Signed Checks
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on BP 22: corporate officers who sign bouncing checks face personal criminal liability, even if signed in blank.
Accomplice Liability: How Participation Level Determines Criminal Responsibility
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a participant in a crime is an accomplice, not a principal, and how courts determine the proper penalty.
Accomplice Liability in Robbery: The Limits of Conspiracy in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when a getaway driver and lookout are accomplices, not conspirators, in robbery cases.
The Weight of a Sheriff's Duty: Liability for Failing to Execute Court Orders
When a sheriff fails to take custody of attached property, the consequences are serious. This case explains the liability.
Employee Dismissal in the Philippines: Due Process and Just Cause Explained
A Supreme Court ruling shows that a valid dismissal needs both a just cause and due process — and that failing on either one changes the employer's liability.
Conspiracy and Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Understanding Group Liability
Learn how Philippine courts apply conspiracy and treachery when multiple persons attack a victim, and what this means for criminal liability.
Obeying Orders: Understanding Criminal Liability for Public Officials in the Philippines
A 1997 Supreme Court ruling clarifies the Ombudsman's power to investigate and prosecute public officials, explaining how criminal liability attaches.
Criminal Conspiracy and Mastermind Liability: The Role of Circumstantial Evidence
How the Supreme Court upheld a mastermind's conviction through circumstantial evidence, even without direct proof of conspiracy.
Conspiracy and Murder: Understanding Shared Criminal Intent in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains how dying declarations, eyewitness testimony, and treachery establish murder liability beyond reasonable doubt.
Passion Provocation and Criminal Liability: Understanding Homicide in the Philippines
When does anger mitigate a killing? The Supreme Court explains passion or obfuscation, treachery, and homicide in People v. Valles.
Treachery in Philippine Law: How Intent and Criminal Liability Are Determined
Learn how Philippine courts define treachery and why the Supreme Court affirmed murder convictions in People v. Tañedo.
Sheriff Negligence and Liability for Unreturned Seized Property
Philippine Supreme Court rules on sheriff's duty to return seized property and consequences of negligence in execution of writs.
Self-Defense or Murder: Criminal Liability in Group Attacks Explained
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense fails in group attacks and how conspiracy and abuse of superior strength qualify killing as murder.
Conspiracy in Philippine Criminal Law: How Joint Criminal Liability Is Established
Explaining how Philippine courts infer conspiracy from concerted acts, using the 1996 case of People v. Villanueva and Durana.
Parricide in the Philippines: Proving Marriage and the Effect of an Affidavit of Desistance
The Supreme Court explains how to prove marriage in parricide cases and why an affidavit of desistance does not erase criminal liability.
Malversation in the Philippines: When Can a Public Official Be Held Liable
Explaining when public officials face malversation charges under Article 217, and why COA audit clearance does not automatically end criminal liability.
Juvenile Justice Understanding Mitigation AND Criminal Liability IN THE Philippines
How Philippine courts treat juvenile offenders, minority as mitigating circumstance, and criminal liability under the law.
TAX Exemption FOR Government Corporations Understanding Restoration AND Real Property TAX
The Supreme Court rules on the validity of restored tax exemptions for government corporations and real property tax liability.
Successor Liability in Philippine Labor Law: When New Owners Inherit Labor Obligations
Learn when a successor company inherits a predecessor's labor obligations under Philippine law, based on the Caliguia ruling.
Employer Liability in Independent Contractor Relationships: The PAL Security Guards Case
Philippine Airlines v. NLRC clarifies when a client company becomes liable for an independent contractor's employees—and when it does not.