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 Credit Extensions Make Insurance Policies Valid: Chartis v. Cyber City
The Supreme Court clarifies when non-payment of premiums does not invalidate an insurance policy, and when insurers may collect.
Understanding Fraudulent Property Transfers, Implied Trusts, and Good Faith Buyers in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains when a fraudulent property transfer creates an implied trust and when buyers in good faith are protected under Philippine law.
Understanding Bad Faith in Government Travel: A Guide to Avoiding Anti-Graft Violations
The Supreme Court clarifies what "evident bad faith" means under the Anti-Graft Law in a case involving unauthorized foreign travel.
Estafa Misappropriation Requires a Duty to Deliver: Vicente v. People
The Supreme Court acquits a contractor of estafa, ruling that a mere debt, without a duty to deliver funds, is not misappropriation.
Promissory Estoppel in Philippine Employment: When Employer Promises Bind
A Supreme Court ruling shows how employer assurances on retirement benefits can bind companies under promissory estoppel. Learn the key lessons.
The Immutability of Final Judgments: A Supreme Court Lesson from the DBP-COA Dispute
The Supreme Court ruled that the COA cannot reopen settled accounts beyond the reglementary period, reinforcing the doctrine of immutability of final judgments.
Navigating Employee Incentives Legal Boundaries AND Accountability IN THE Philippine Public Sector
The Supreme Court upholds COA's disallowance of SSS employee incentives, clarifying legal limits and accountability rules for public sector benefits.
Rice Allowance in GOCCs: When Employee Benefits Are Disallowed by COA
The Supreme Court clarifies limits on rice allowance and other benefits in GOCCs, and who must refund disallowed amounts.
Understanding Judicial Clemency: A Guide to Reinstatement for Disbarred Lawyers in the Philippines
The Supreme Court's 2021 ruling in Ricafort sets new guidelines for judicial clemency petitions by disbarred lawyers seeking reinstatement.
Understanding Government Contract Disallowances: Detailed Engineering and Quantum Meruit
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on COA disallowances for overestimated embankment materials in government road projects and the limits of quantum meruit.
Understanding Term Interruptions and the Three-Term Limit Rule for Local Officials
The Supreme Court explains when an Ombudsman dismissal interrupts a local official's term, resetting the three-term limit rule.
Voidable vs Void Contracts: What Spousal Consent Means for Property Sales in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies that sales of conjugal property without spousal consent are voidable, not void, under the Civil Code.
Grave Misconduct in the Judiciary: What Court Personnel and the Public Should Know
A Supreme Court ruling on a court clerk's grave misconduct shows how public trust in the judiciary is protected.
Levi Strauss v. Sevilla: Confusing Similarity and Trademark Cancellation in the Philippines
The Supreme Court cancels the LIVE'S trademark for confusing similarity with LEVI'S, clarifying trademark tests and res judicata rules.
Lessons on Judicial Ethics From a Dismissed Administrative Case Against Judges
Supreme Court dismisses administrative complaint against two RTC judges, warning against harassment suits that intimidate the bench.
LIVE'S vs LEVI'S: Supreme Court Rules on Trademark Confusion and Cancellation
The Supreme Court cancelled the LIVE'S trademark registration, ruling it confusingly similar to LEVI'S under the Dominancy Test.
Lawyer's Courtroom Conduct and Disciplinary Liability Under the CPRA
Supreme Court clarifies lawyer discipline under the CPRA, including fines for disbarred lawyers and standards for respectful court conduct.
Lawyer's Disrespect Toward Court and Staff Yields PHP 155,000 Fine Despite Prior Disbarment
Supreme Court fines disbarred lawyer for disrespecting court personnel and disobeying IBP orders, clarifying accountability persists after disbarment.
Courts May Provisionally Rule on Plaintiff's Death in Ejectment Cases
Supreme Court clarifies that ejectment courts may provisionally pass on a plaintiff's alleged death to resolve possession, without barring Rule 108 proceedings.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: When Facebook Posts Become a Crime
The Supreme Court clarifies how social media posts can constitute psychological abuse under RA 9262, and why using Facebook raises the penalty.
Understanding Child Sexual Abuse Legal Insights From A Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Case
A landmark Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies how rape of a mentally disabled victim is classified and punished.
Understanding Work-Related Illnesses and Disability Benefits for Seafarers in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when seafarers with work-related illnesses like Meniere's Disease can claim full disability benefits under the POEA-SEC and CBA.
Understanding Qualified Statutory Rape in the Philippines: Key Insights from a Landmark Case
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when rape of a mentally disabled adult is qualified statutory rape, and the role of DNA evidence.
Understanding Accretion in Philippine Criminal Law: The Joaquin Ruling on Child Abuse
The Supreme Court clarifies when lascivious acts against a minor fall under RA 7610's sexual abuse provision rather than its general child abuse clause.