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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Untimely Appeal and NLRC Discretion: Jurisdictional Requirements in Labor Disputes
Philippine National Construction Corporation vs. NLRC: motion for reconsideration is mandatory before certiorari, and separation benefits are construed in favor of workers.
Gross Ignorance of the Law: When Judges Overstep Their Authority
A Supreme Court ruling on when a judge's sentencing errors become gross ignorance of the law warranting administrative sanctions.
Pre-Proclamation Controversies: Limits of COMELEC Jurisdiction After Proclamation
The Supreme Court explains when a pre-proclamation controversy before COMELEC remains viable after a candidate has been proclaimed and assumed office.
Fishpond Lease Agreements: Preferential Rights and Government Authority in the Philippines
Understand how Philippine courts interpret fishpond lease agreements, preferential rights, and government authority over public lands.
Security of Tenure: Understanding Reinstatement Rights After Illegal Dismissal in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine law protects employees from illegal dismissal and what reinstatement rights mean under the Labor Code.
Due Process in Philippine Administrative Investigations: The Casuela Case and the Five-Day Bar Rule
The Supreme Court affirms that administrative investigations must respect the five-day bar rule before hearing, ensuring due process for respondents.
Solidary Liability of Recruitment Agencies: Protecting Overseas Filipino Workers
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on joint and solidary liability of recruitment agencies and foreign employers for overseas workers' claims.
Substantial Compliance in Appeals: When Courts Overlook Procedural Errors
The Supreme Court ruling in Nerves v. Civil Service Commission on substantial compliance with appeal rules and why a mislabeled petition survived.
Incestuous Rape: The Supreme Court's Stance on Parental Abuse and a Daughter's Testimony
The Supreme Court affirms a father's rape conviction, holding that a daughter's testimony deserves great weight and that rape can occur even in a crowded room.
Attempted Murder vs Murder: Proving Intent and Causation in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies how intent to kill and causation distinguish attempted murder from murder, with practical guidance.
Acquisitive Prescription: How Long Does It Take to Claim Land Ownership in the Philippines
Learn how long you must possess land to claim ownership through acquisitive prescription in the Philippines, explained through a Supreme Court ruling.
Lumber VS Timber Navigating Illegal Possession Charges IN THE Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that illegal possession of lumber falls under Section 68 of PD 705, the Forestry Reform Code.
Statutory Rape in the Philippines: When Consent and Penetration Are Not Required
A 1997 Supreme Court ruling clarifies that in statutory rape, penetration need only be slight and the victim's consent is immaterial.
When Can an Employer Claim Loss of Trust as Grounds for Dismissal? A Philippine Guide
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when loss of trust and confidence is a valid ground for dismissing an employee, and when it is not.
When Quitclaims Are Invalid: Labor Settlements and Dire Necessity in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when compromise agreements and quitclaims in labor cases are unconscionable and invalid.
When Courts Lack Jurisdiction Over Bouncing Checks Cases: The Rosa Uy Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies territorial jurisdiction rules for B.P. 22 cases and when lack of jurisdiction can still be raised.
Compromise Agreements and Quitclaims: When Are They Valid in Philippine Labor Law?
The Supreme Court explains when compromise agreements and quitclaims bind workers—and when courts will set them aside as unconscionable.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Sudden Attack From Behind as Qualifying Circumstance
When does a sudden attack from behind constitute treachery? The Supreme Court explains in People v. Mesa.
Judicial Delay Consequences for Judges Failing to Meet Deadlines in the Philippines
Philippine judges face administrative sanctions for failing to decide cases within the reglementary period. This article explains the rules and consequences.
Rape Conviction Credibility of Testimony and Minor Inconsistencies
Minor inconsistencies in a rape victim's testimony do not destroy credibility. The Supreme Court explains why in People v. Travero.
Condominium Development Approvals, Titles, and Parking Rights Under PD 957
Philippine Supreme Court explains developer duties on plan changes, title delivery, and parking under PD 957.
Illegal Recruitment in Large Scale: Supreme Court Clarifies Liability
The Supreme Court explains when illegal recruitment becomes large scale and how conspiracy makes every participant liable for the crime.
The Weight of Words: Child Witness Testimony in Philippine Parricide Cases
How the Supreme Court upheld a parricide conviction based on an 8-year-old eyewitness's testimony, and what this means for child witnesses in Philippine courts.
Illegal Dismissal: Proving Just Cause and Due Process in Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Airlines v. NLRC explains the employer's burden of proof in illegal dismissal cases and the twin requirements of notice and hearing.