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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Dying Declarations and Witness Testimony Establishing Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Homicide Cases
How Philippine courts weigh dying declarations and witness credibility to convict in homicide cases, explained in plain language.
Judiciary Employee Conduct: Moral Standards Apply Even After Spousal Forgiveness
Supreme Court rules spousal forgiveness cannot erase administrative liability for a court employee's immoral conduct.
Service of Court Decisions on Government Entities: The Lead Counsel Rule Explained
When must court decisions be served on a government agency's lead counsel? The Supreme Court clarifies service rules and appeal periods.
Accountability IN Construction Piercing THE Corporate Veil FOR Negligence
Deceptive Promises When Illegal Recruitment AND Estafa Collide
When do illegal recruitment and estafa overlap? The Supreme Court explains in People v. Alzona, a case about fake overseas jobs.
Attorney Discipline When Actions Abroad Affect Legal Standing in the Philippines
Philippine courts can discipline judiciary employees for misconduct even if a complainant withdraws the case, as shown in Gamboa v. Gamboa.
Trust Receipts Entrusters Right TO Deficiency Claim After Repossession AND Sale
Surety Reimbursement Rights: When Partial Payment Does Not Trigger Indemnity
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when co-sureties can demand reimbursement and foreclose pledged shares under indemnity agreements.
Judicial Dishonesty: When a Judge Misleads the Court and Violates the Duty of Candor
The Supreme Court fined a judge for dishonesty and lack of candor after he misrepresented his case load to secure a transfer. Learn the rules.
Challenging Anti-Graft Law: Balancing Due Process and Public Accountability
The Supreme Court upholds Section 5 of RA 3019 against vagueness challenges, clarifying rules on repetitive motions, prescription, and immunity.
Ejectment Actions Raising Ownership Issues Does NOT Oust MTC Jurisdiction
A lessee who raises ownership claims inside an ejectment suit cannot strip the MTC of jurisdiction. Find out the binding rule here.
Breach of Public Trust: Unauthorized Release of Detainees Constitutes Grave Misconduct
Clerk of court dismissed for grave misconduct after ordering release of detainees and demanding money, usurping judicial functions.
Negligence IN Handling Court Documents THE Duty OF Care FOR Court Stenographers
Public Office Conduct: Mayor's Residence vs Public Good in Radio Antenna Installation
Supreme Court clarifies when courts may review Ombudsman findings on probable cause and public officers' use of government property.
Preventive Suspension Applies Regardless of Current Office in Philippine Graft Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that preventive suspension under RA 3019 applies to any office a public officer currently holds, not just the position held when charged.
Judicial Misconduct Prematurely Quashing Complaints AND Disregarding Legal Procedure
Fixed-Term Seafarers' Contracts: Illegal Dismissal and Compensation Standards
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that seafarers are contractual employees governed by POEA contracts, not regular employees under the Labor Code.
Intervention Denied in Quieting of Title: Timely Appeals and Final Judgments
A denied intervenor cannot join another party's appeal; a late appeal is jurisdictional, and quieting of title cannot attack a final judgment.
Falsification of Public Documents and Integrity in Public Service
Explore how the Supreme Court addressed falsification of public documents and the integrity required in public service.
Res Judicata and Forum Shopping in Partition Cases: When a Separate Nullity Suit Is Barred
A Supreme Court ruling explains why a separate action to nullify a deed of sale is barred by forum shopping when the same issue can be resolved in a pending partition case.
Compromise Agreements and Illegal Strikes: The Limits of Condonation in Labor Law
When does a compromise agreement waive an employer's right to challenge an illegal strike? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of condonation.
Foreign Corporations and the Right to Sue: Estoppel in Philippine Law
When can an unlicensed foreign corporation sue in Philippine courts? The Supreme Court clarifies the estoppel rule in this 2004 ruling.
Minority as Privileged Mitigating Circumstance in Murder Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that minority is a privileged mitigating circumstance under Article 68, reducing the penalty for murder by one degree.
Deregulation and Due Process: The NTC's Authority Over SMS Regulation
In Globe Telecom v. NTC, the Supreme Court struck down a fine on Globe for offering SMS without prior approval, exposing the regulator's confusing rules.