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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Rape Conviction Reversal: When Consensual Sex Becomes Forced
Supreme Court acquits pastor in rape case, explaining how a complainant's post-incident conduct can cast doubt on claims of force.
Superior Strength in Murder: How Conspiracy Establishes Criminal Liability
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how conspiracy and superior strength qualify a killing as murder, with practical legal takeaways.
Transferee Recruitment Agency Liability: Protecting Overseas Workers
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a transferee recruitment agency can be held liable for illegal dismissal of an overseas worker.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: When a Public Facebook Post Becomes a Crime
The Supreme Court clarifies when public social media posts constitute psychological abuse under RA 9262 and how ICT use raises penalties.
Project Employee vs Regular Employee: Understanding Employment Status in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between project employees and regular employees in construction work, and when repeated contracts may indicate regular employment.
Quasi-Delict vs Criminal Negligence: Civil Liability in Philippine Accidents
The Supreme Court clarifies when a driver's negligence creates civil liability under quasi-delict, even without a criminal conviction.
Reinstatement Pending Appeal: When Employers Must Pay Back Wages
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when employers must pay back wages during appeal—only if the labor arbiter ordered reinstatement.
Resignation Cannot Shield Court Personnel From Administrative Liability
Philippine Supreme Court rules resignation does not erase administrative liability, dismissing court employee for grave misconduct, tardiness, and absenteeism.
When Is a Spouse's Debt Chargeable to the Conjugal Partnership
Supreme Court clarifies when a husband's surety agreement binds the conjugal partnership, distinguishing corporate debts from family obligations.
Large Scale Illegal Recruitment: When One Person Can Be Held Liable
One person can be guilty of large scale illegal recruitment if three or more victims are defrauded, explains the Supreme Court.
Defense of a Relative in the Philippines: Proving Unlawful Aggression
Philippine law allows defense of a relative, but only if unlawful aggression is clearly proven. A Supreme Court case shows why.
Admissibility of Confessions: Protecting Rights During Custodial Investigation in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court rules on when a confession obtained without counsel during custodial investigation is inadmissible in evidence.
Philippine Coconut Authority Cannot Abandon Its Regulatory Power
Supreme Court rules PCA cannot deregulate coconut processing industry by resolution, as only Congress can dismantle statutory regulation.
Rape and the Limits of Relationship in Philippine Law: When Kinship Aggravates the Crime
The Supreme Court clarifies when a relationship between offender and victim can aggravate rape, and when it cannot.
Club Membership Disputes: When Suspension and Due Process Collide
A Supreme Court ruling on club suspensions, delinquent lists, and the limits of due process in private associations.
COMELEC's Power to Prosecute Election Offenses: Independent Authority Affirmed
Supreme Court affirms COMELEC's exclusive authority to prosecute election offenses, ruling that deputized prosecutors cannot override its decisions.
Judicial Delay: When Inaction Becomes Neglect of Duty
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a judge's prolonged inaction on pending motions constitutes neglect of duty, even after case transfer.
Patent Infringement in the Philippines: Who Can Sue and Why a Patent Matters
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that only patent holders or their successors can sue for infringement, not mere first inventors.
Dying Declarations: When Can a Victim's Statement Be Used in Court?
Learn when a dying victim's statement is admissible in Philippine courts, based on the Supreme Court ruling in People v. Viovicente.
Illegal Recruitment, Economic Sabotage, and Estafa: Philippine Legal Guide
Understand illegal recruitment, economic sabotage, and estafa under Philippine law, plus key Supreme Court rulings and practical legal takeaways.
Warrantless Arrests and Transporting Illegal Drugs: Key Philippine Rulings
A look at the Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Correa on warrantless arrests, transporting illegal drugs, and the "use of a motor vehicle" aggravating circumstance.
Warrantless Arrests in the Philippines: When Police Can Search Without a Warrant
Learn when Philippine police may arrest and search without a warrant, based on a Supreme Court ruling on drug transport.
Attorney Misconduct Handling Client Funds AND Upholding Ethical Standards IN THE Philippines
Annulment of Judgment Protects Property Rights From Fraudulent Land Titles
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on annulling fraudulent land titles and protecting true owners' property rights from bogus cadastral proceedings.