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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Land Registration With Missing Cadastral Records: The Supreme Court's Ruling in Tapay
Can land be registered when government records from a prior cadastral case are missing? The Supreme Court says yes, under certain conditions.
Philippine Airlines v. Yañez: When Workplace Conduct Warrants Disciplinary Action
The Supreme Court clarifies when employers may discipline employees for creating a hostile work environment, even absent explicit sexual demands.
Fraudulent Land Patents Void Derivative Titles Even for Good-Faith Buyers
Supreme Court ruling: titles derived from fraudulently obtained land patents are void, even if current owners bought in good faith.
Right to Speedy Disposition of Cases: When Government Delay Kills a Graft Case
The Supreme Court affirms dismissal of a graft case after the Ombudsman's six-year preliminary investigation violated the accused's right to speedy disposition.
Qualified Rape and the Uncle Relationship: When an Information Need Not State "Third Civil Degree"
The Supreme Court clarifies when an Information sufficiently alleges the qualifying circumstance of relationship in qualified rape cases involving an uncle.
Seafarers Disability Claims: Strict Compliance With Three-Day Reporting Rule
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on seafarers' disability claims and the mandatory three-day post-employment medical examination requirement under the POEA-SEC.
Inordinate Delay by Ombudsman Leads to Acquittal in Fertilizer Fund Scam Case
The Supreme Court affirms dismissal of graft charges against Surigao officials due to the Ombudsman's unreasonable delay in preliminary investigation.
Protecting Minors: RA 7610 and the Boundaries of Sexual Abuse
The Supreme Court clarifies when sexual assault of a minor is lascivious conduct under RA 7610, not simple sexual assault.
Broken Chains: Acquittal Due to Flawed Drug Evidence Handling
Why a buy-bust conviction was overturned when police failed to secure the required witnesses for the drug inventory.
Chain of Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police failed to secure the required witnesses during inventory, explaining the strict chain of custody rule.
Reconstitution of Title Requires Strict Compliance and Proof of Existence
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on reconstitution of lost titles: strict compliance with RA 26 and proof of title existence required.
Navigating Tax Exemptions for Government-Owned Properties in the Philippines: Insights From a Landmark Case
Learn how the Supreme Court clarified tax exemptions for government-owned properties in the Philippines through a landmark ruling.
Tax Refund Claims: Why Judicial Claims Stand Independently of Administrative Proceedings
The Supreme Court clarifies that a judicial tax refund claim before the CTA is not precluded by defects in the administrative claim filed with the BIR.
Unlawful Marijuana Possession Protecting Rights Against Unreasonable Searches
A Supreme Court ruling shows how strict compliance with drug evidence rules protects the accused against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Graft and Conspiracy: When Private Individuals Become Publicly Liable
Explore the Supreme Court ruling on splitting government contracts and conspiracy liability in procurement under RA 9184.
Splitting Contracts: Good Faith Alone Does NOT Excuse Violation of Procurement Laws
Supreme Court rules good faith is no defense for splitting contracts and bypassing public bidding under RA 9184.
Chain of Custody Imperative: Safeguarding Drug Evidence Integrity in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect due to broken chain of custody, explaining why strict compliance with Section 21, RA 9165 matters.
When a Warrantless Arrest Fails: The Adoma Case and the Chain of Custody Rule
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect after an invalid hot pursuit arrest and broken chain of custody. Learn the rules.
Duplicitous Informations and Child Abuse: Understanding Convictions for Multiple Offenses in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies how duplicitous informations can lead to convictions for multiple offenses, and when child abuse charges apply instead of rape.
Redefining Child Abuse Rape Conviction Upheld Statutory Interpretation Clarified
Retirement as Evasion: When Public Officials Still Face Administrative Charges
Can a retired public official still face administrative charges? The Supreme Court clarifies when voluntary retirement is considered an evasion of liability.
Prescription in Tax Assessments: Waivers Must Be Strictly Compliant for Validity
Waivers of the tax prescription period are strictly construed. Missing the BIR's date of acceptance voids them, and assessments without due dates fail.
Balancing Efficiency and Due Process: The 60-Day Certiorari Rule in Court Operations
Examining Puregold v. Court of Appeals, which underscores the strict 60-day period for certiorari and the binding effect of counsel's receipt of orders.
Upholding Fiscal Responsibility: The Limits of PCSO's Authority in Granting Employee Benefits
The Supreme Court affirms COA's disallowance of PCSO employee benefits, clarifying limits on board authority and liability rules.