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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Lateral Transfers and Security of Tenure in Philippine Civil Service
When a government employee's lateral transfer appointment is disapproved, does the employee automatically revert to a former position? The Supreme Court clarifies.
Fiscal Autonomy and Compensation Limits for Government Corporations in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies that fiscal autonomy does not give government corporations unlimited power to grant employee benefits without proper approval.
Speedy Disposition of Cases: Key Lessons from a Landmark Sandiganbayan Ruling
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when prescription runs and how delays in preliminary investigation can violate the right to speedy disposition.
Safeguarding Court Evidence: The Consequences of Neglect and Misconduct in Philippine Courts
A Supreme Court ruling holds a clerk of court liable for gross neglect and a utility worker for grave misconduct after 36 sachets of drug evidence vanished from a court vault.
Prescription and Speedy Disposition in Philippine Criminal Cases: Key Insights
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when the prescriptive period for graft cases begins and what constitutes inordinate delay.
Limits of Compensation Authority in Government Corporations: Insights from SSS v. COA
The Supreme Court clarifies when GOCCs may grant employee benefits without presidential approval, and when officers may be excused from refunding disallowed amounts.
Administrative and Criminal Liability: Prescription and Speedy Disposition Lessons from Perez v. Sandiganbayan
The Supreme Court clarifies prescription and speedy disposition rules in graft cases, balancing public accountability with the accused's rights.
Understanding the Right to Speedy Disposition of Cases: A Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies the right to speedy disposition of cases and prescription rules for graft charges under RA 3019.
Understanding Conflict of Interest: A Lawyer's Duty of Loyalty in Settlement Negotiations
When does a lawyer's settlement talk with the opposing party become a conflict of interest? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of a lawyer's duty of loyalty.
Administrative Liability in Philippine Public Service: Duty, Misconduct, and the Safekeeping of Court Evidence
The Supreme Court clarifies the line between simple and gross neglect of duty, and grave misconduct, in the dismissal of two court employees over missing drug evidence.
Navigating the Legal Boundaries of Government-Owned Corporations: Insights from a Landmark Supreme Court Rulin
The Supreme Court upheld the GOCC Governance Act, clarifying the limits of security of tenure and delegation of powers.
Navigating Property Disputes: The Importance of Clear Evidence in Philippine Land Ownership Cases
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how proof of sale, not registration alone, determines ownership in Philippine land disputes.
Navigating Tax Law Conflicts: Understanding the Jurisdictional Limits of Courts in Tax Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies the boundaries of judicial review in tax cases, emphasizing that courts cannot substitute their judgment for that of tax authorities.
Reversion Proceedings Only THE State CAN Recover Public Land Obtained Through Fraud
Explore the Supreme Court ruling in Isican v. People, clarifying that only the State can initiate reversion proceedings for fraudulently obtained public land.
When a Dismissed Employee Can Vote: Certification Election Rules Clarified
The Supreme Court clarifies when dismissed employees may vote in certification elections and how blank ballots affect majority computation.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: Landmark Ruling on Social Media Harassment
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when Facebook posts constitute psychological abuse under RA 9262 and how ICT use raises the penalty.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Corporate Officers Can Be Held Personally Liable
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when courts may pierce the corporate veil and hold officers personally liable for fraud and mismanagement.
Navigating Judicial Misconduct: Understanding the Burden of Proof in Administrative Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies the burden of proof in administrative cases against judges, emphasizing substantial evidence and direct knowledge.
Navigating the Boundaries of Economic Zone Jurisdiction: Lessons from a Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Case
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that GOCCs cannot negotiate CBA economic provisions without presidential or GCG approval, reshaping labor relations.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Upholding Convictions in Statutory Rape Cases
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling on statutory rape convictions and the effect of an accused's death pending appeal on criminal and civil liability.
Understanding Treachery and Premeditation in Murder Cases: Insights from a Landmark Philippine Supreme Court D
The Supreme Court explains treachery, evident premeditation, and use of motor vehicle as aggravating circumstances in murder convictions.
Understanding Just Compensation in Philippine Agrarian Reform: A Landmark Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies how just compensation is computed when agrarian reform payment is delayed for decades, applying current market value.
Navigating Land Registration: Understanding the Supreme Court's Ruling on Corporate Ownership and Public Land
A notary public's duties are sacred. Learn from a Supreme Court ruling on notarizing documents without verifying identity.
Lawyer Misconduct and Physical Assault: One-Year Suspension for Attorney Who Mauled Litigant
A Supreme Court ruling shows how a lawyer's physical assault on an opposing litigant leads to one-year suspension for grave misconduct.