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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Piercing the Corporate Veil in Philippine Foreclosures: DBP v. Remington
When can Philippine courts pierce the corporate veil? The Supreme Court clarifies the strict rule in DBP v. Remington.
Enforceability of Consultancy Agreements: Influence Peddling and Public Policy
When a consultancy agreement rests on influence peddling with government officials, Philippine courts will not enforce it as against public policy.
Eyewitness Testimony and the Standard of Proof in Robbery with Homicide Cases
How Philippine courts weigh eyewitness identification against denial in robbery with homicide, and what it means for the burden of proof.
Timeliness of Appeals When Weekends Extend Deadlines in Philippine Law
Learn how Philippine courts compute appeal deadlines when weekends intervene, and why timing can decide a case's fate.
Accountability for Group Violence: Assessing Liability and Intent in Philippine Law
How Philippine courts assign criminal liability when multiple persons conspire to commit murder, and when aggravating circumstances apply.
When Police Tips Fail: Hot Pursuit Arrests and Drug Evidence in Philippine Courts
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect, clarifying when warrantless hot pursuit arrests are invalid and seized drugs inadmissible.
Mental Capacity and Rape in Philippine Law: The Hamto Case
How Philippine courts treat mentally retarded rape victims' testimony, and why mental age matters in proving rape.
Treachery and Dwelling Limits on the Death Penalty in Philippine Criminal Law
Explore how Philippine courts apply treachery and dwelling as qualifying circumstances in criminal cases, and their impact on penalties.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When a Parent Company Can Be Held Liable for Subsidiary Debts
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may disregard corporate separateness and hold a parent liable for its subsidiary's obligations.
Treachery and Conspiracy in Group Violence: Robbery With Homicide Liability
How Philippine courts establish liability for robbery with homicide in group attacks, explained through a landmark Supreme Court case.
Buy-Bust Operations and Evidence Admissibility: Safeguarding Rights in Drug Cases
Learn how Philippine courts treat buy-bust operations, evidence admissibility, and constitutional rights in drug cases, explained through a landmark Supreme Court ruling.
Habeas Corpus and Marital Consortium: When Courts Cannot Compel a Spouse to Live Together
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that habeas corpus cannot compel a spouse to live together, and that consortium is enforced by mutual affection, not court orders.
Parental Incest Establishing Minority of the Victim Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Rape Cases
How Philippine courts prove a rape victim's minority for the death penalty, using parental incest as the key example.
When Courts Can Immediately Review Jurisdictional Issues Without a Motion for Reconsideration
Explore when Philippine courts may review jurisdictional issues without a prior motion for reconsideration, based on a 2001 Supreme Court ruling.
Challenging Ombudsman Decisions: Certiorari and Trial Suspension in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts handle Ombudsman decisions, certiorari petitions, and trial suspension rules in administrative cases.
Online Psychological Abuse and Social Media Evidence: The Supreme Court's Guidelines on Facebook Account Owner
How Philippine courts prove Facebook authorship in VAWC cases, and why using social media raises the penalty for psychological abuse.
The Right to Understand Criminal Charges: Due Process and Fair Trial in Philippine Courts
Philippine courts balance media coverage and due process rights of the accused in criminal trials, ensuring fair and impartial proceedings.
Partnership Dissolution and Asset Determination When Accounting Records Are Unavailable
When partnership books are lost, courts can still determine a partner's share using secondary evidence. Learn the rules from this Philippine Supreme Court case.
When Eyewitness Testimony Overrides Forensic Evidence: Understanding Homicide Convictions in the Philippines
Philippine courts weigh eyewitness testimony against forensic evidence in homicide cases. Learn how credibility and inconsistencies shape convictions.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Ensuring Justice for Victims of Sudden Attacks
How Philippine courts use circumstantial evidence to convict killers, even without direct proof of the shooting.
When Courts Can Extend a Lease: Limits of Article 1687 in Ejectment Cases
Supreme Court clarifies that courts cannot extend a month-to-month lease under Article 1687 when a definite period exists.
Time Is of the Essence: Prescription in Breach of Warranty Claims Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on the six-month prescriptive period for breach of warranty claims and when courts may dismiss time-barred actions.
Verbal Lease with Definite Period: When Courts Cannot Extend the Term
The Supreme Court clarifies that Article 1687 of the Civil Code does not allow courts to extend a verbal month-to-month lease, which has a definite period.
Witness Testimony and Alibi Defense in Philippine Murder Cases: A Legal Analysis
Explore how Philippine courts weigh witness credibility and alibi defenses in murder cases, with insights from People v. Asuncion.