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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Employer's Quasi-Delict Liability: Direct and Primary Under Article 2180
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that an employer's liability for employee negligence under Article 2180 is primary and direct, allowing suit without the employee.
Support Obligations in Nullified Marriages: Protecting Child Welfare After Annulment
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that child support survives a nullified marriage and can be modified as needs and resources change, but only with proper evidence.
Conclusiveness of Judgment: Preventing Relitigation of Established Facts in Property Disputes
A Supreme Court administrative case clarifies when a trial court may still act after an appeal is perfected, and why litigated motions always require a hearing.
The Insanity Defense: Establishing the Boundaries of Criminal Responsibility in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies self-defense and treachery rules in a murder appeal, reducing conviction to homicide with precise legal standards.
Election Law: Ensuring Canvass Board Legitimacy and Preventing Electoral Fraud
The Supreme Court affirms COMELEC's power to nullify proclamations by illegally constituted boards of canvassers and to order recounts to protect electoral integrity.
Eyewitness Testimony and Positive Identification: The Linchpin in Murder Convictions
How credible eyewitness testimony and positive identification secured a murder conviction despite the accused's claim of accident.
Unlawful Aggression and Self-Defense: When a Threat Justifies Homicide
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a mere threatening act, like drawing a bolo, does not constitute unlawful aggression justifying self-defense in homicide cases.
Rape of a Mentally Retarded Person: Consent and Legal Standards in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that sexual intercourse with a mentally retarded person is rape, as they cannot give legal consent.
Treachery and Self-Defense in Homicide: Lessons from People v. Jerry Se
The Supreme Court clarifies when treachery and self-defense apply in fatal attacks, reducing a murder conviction to homicide.
Due Process in Arraignment: The Right to Counsel and Valid Pleas in Philippine Courts
When a judge rushes an arraignment without counsel, the guilty plea is void. This case explains the mandatory rules.
Self-Defense and Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Lessons from People v. Se
The Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense fails and treachery does not qualify a killing, reducing a murder conviction to homicide.
Piercing the Corporate Veil to Protect Conjugal Property Rights in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling explains when a corporation's separate personality may be set aside to reach property that really belongs to a married couple's conjugal estate.
Ejectment Actions Ownership Claims DO NOT Automatically Oust Court Jurisdiction
Integrity Under Scrutiny: False Disbarment Complaint Protects Attorney's Reputation
The Supreme Court's ruling in Mejares v. Romana clarifies when lawyers face discipline for mishandling client funds and communications.
Dying Declarations AS Evidence Establishing Guilt IN Murder Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when dying declarations can establish guilt in murder cases, and the strict standards for insanity defenses in Philippine criminal law.
Detailing Municipal Employees to Courts: Limits of Executive Judge Authority
Supreme Court clarifies when executive judges may detail personnel to courts, and why municipal employees cannot serve as sheriffs.
Credibility of Witnesses: Evaluating Testimony in Robbery with Homicide Cases
How Philippine courts assess witness credibility in robbery with rape cases, and why a victim's testimony can suffice for conviction.
Positive Identification Overrules Alibi in Kidnapping for Ransom Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how positive identification by the victim outweighs alibi defenses in kidnapping for ransom cases.
Witness Credibility in Robbery With Homicide: Prior Conduct Does Not Bar Believability
Philippine Supreme Court affirms that a witness's bad character or prior conduct does not automatically destroy credibility in robbery with homicide cases.
Possession, Donation, and Ejectment: What the Sevilla Florencio Ruling Teaches
A Supreme Court ejectment ruling shows why an unregistered deed of donation cannot defeat the registered owner's heirs and how possession cases are decided.
Unregistered Donation vs Registered Title: Resolving Property Ownership Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether an unregistered deed of donation can defeat the rights of heirs of a registered property owner.
When Two Regular Holidays Fall on the Same Day: Workers Still Get Double Holiday Pay
Philippine Supreme Court rules workers paid 200% holiday pay when two regular holidays fall on the same day, citing Labor Code Article 94.
Upholding Tenants Redemption Rights Darab Jurisdiction Over Agricultural Land Sales
A Supreme Court ruling on the finality of judgments clarifies when appeals in forcible entry cases must be filed and why late petitions cannot revive a case.
Rape Conviction Upheld: The Critical Role of Victim Testimony and Credibility in Philippine Law
Philippine courts rely heavily on victim testimony in rape cases. Learn how the Supreme Court weighs credibility and what it means for criminal prosecutions.