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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Debt Default by a Court Employee: Upholding Ethical Conduct in the Judiciary
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling shows that a court employee's unpaid debt is not just a private matter but conduct unbecoming a public servant.
Illegal Dismissal of Seafarers: Overtime Pay and Contractual Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on seafarer illegal dismissal, salary for unexpired contract, and guaranteed overtime pay.
When a Complaint Fails to State a Cause of Action: The Preliminary Hearing Remedy
Learn when a motion to dismiss for failure to state a cause of action should be heard before trial, based on a 2008 Supreme Court ruling.
Protecting Land Titles: Limits of Agrarian Reform Jurisdiction and Ancestral Land Claims
Supreme Court ruling on DARAB jurisdiction, Torrens title protection, and ancestral land claims under RA 8371.
Striking a Balance When Employee Misconduct Doesnt Warrant Dismissal
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a court employee's overstepping of duties constitutes simple misconduct, not grounds for dismissal.
Lis Pendens Cancellation: Final Judgments and Property Rights Under Biglang-Awa
Learn when a notice of lis pendens can be cancelled after a final judgment, based on the Supreme Court ruling in Biglang-Awa v. Philippine Trust Company.
Compromise Agreements Prevail Over Final Judgments in Philippine Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how compromise agreements can supersede final judgments, explained for lay readers.
Trademark License Revocation: When Unauthorized Use Justifies Termination
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a trademark owner may validly revoke a license for unauthorized use beyond the agreed scope.
Overseas Workers Rights Illegal Dismissal and Fair Compensation in Maritime Employment
Understand the Supreme Court ruling on illegal dismissal of overseas Filipino workers and how compensation is computed under RA 8042.
Administrative Absolution Does NOT BAR Criminal Prosecution Ensuring Accountability IN Public Office
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: dismissal of an administrative case does not bar criminal prosecution for the same acts against public officials.
Timely Notice of Appeal Protects Right to Appeal Modified Judgment
Supreme Court ruling on when a notice of appeal perfects an appeal and protects a party's right to challenge a modified judgment.
Land Title Registration: Proving Open Continuous Possession Since June 12, 1945
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on what evidence is needed to register land title based on possession since June 12, 1945.
Pilotage Fees and Government Share: PPA Can Collect Directly from Shipping Lines
Supreme Court ruling on PPA's authority to collect the 10% government share on pilotage fees directly from shipping companies.
Defining Abandonment And Insubordination Employee Rights VS Employer Authority
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on employee abandonment and insubordination, balancing worker rights against employer authority in termination disputes.
Abandonment in Agricultural Tenancy: When Hiring Help Costs Cultivation Rights
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a tenant's surrender of cultivation to another amounts to abandonment and loss of tenancy rights.
Upholding Contractual Obligations: The Binding Force of Agreed Interest Rates in Credit Transactions
Supreme Court ruling on agreed interest rates in credit sales, party autonomy, and limits on unconscionable charges.
Dividing Assets After Annulment: Mortgage Validity and Property Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on conjugal property division after annulment, mortgage validity, and the effect of compromise agreements on asset distribution.
Integrity in Public Service: Due Process in Administrative Misconduct Cases
A Supreme Court ruling on grave misconduct clarifies due process, family interests, and compromise authority in administrative cases.
Burden of Proof in Tax Refund Claims: Taxpayers Must Provide Sufficient Evidence
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on Atlas Consolidated Mining clarifies that taxpayers claiming VAT refunds must present complete documentary evidence.
Jurisdiction Over Labor Disputes: The Decisive Moment of Filing Claims
A Supreme Court ruling on why filing the wrong remedy — or the right one too late — can end a labor case before the merits are ever reached.
Tax Declarations as Indicia of Possession: Lessons from Leoncio v. De Vera
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on tax declarations as evidence of possession and ownership in land reconveyance cases.
Employer's Vicarious Liability for Employee Negligence in Quasi-Delict Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on employer liability for driver negligence under quasi-delict, explained in plain language.
Union Security vs Due Process: Balancing Rights in Employee Dismissal
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a union security clause justifies dismissal and what due process employers must observe.
Corporate Rehabilitation, Foreclosure, and Judicial Independence: Key Lessons from Rombe Eximtrade
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when courts may issue injunctions against foreclosure after a rehabilitation case is dismissed.