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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Pollution Adjudication Board Primary Jurisdiction Over Fishermen's Damages Claims vs Industrial Operations
Supreme Court ruling on PAB primary jurisdiction over pollution-related damages claims, balancing fishermen's livelihood rights and industrial operations.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Courts Hold Subsidiaries Liable
Philippine Supreme Court explains when courts may disregard corporate fiction and hold a subsidiary liable for a parent company's obligations.
Enforcing Surety Bonds in Construction: Timeliness and CIAC Jurisdiction Clarified
Supreme Court clarifies CIAC jurisdiction over surety bonds and what counts as a timely claim in construction disputes.
HLURB Jurisdiction: Protecting Subdivision Lot Buyers' Right to Title Delivery
Supreme Court affirms HLURB jurisdiction over subdivision lot buyers' claims for title delivery against developers, protecting purchasers from unscrupulous sellers.
Evidentiary Omissions and Rape Convictions: Lessons from People v. De Guzman
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction despite minor testimonial inconsistencies, clarifying the role of medical evidence and victim credibility.
HLURB Jurisdiction: Protecting Subdivision Lot Buyers From Developer Non-Compliance
When a licensed developer sells a lot and fails to deliver title, the HLURB has jurisdiction over the buyer's claim—regardless of project size.
Why the Victim's Testimony Is Crucial in Philippine Rape Cases
A Supreme Court ruling explains why a rape victim's credible testimony can sustain a conviction even without corroborating evidence.
Robbery with Homicide Conviction Affirmed: The Role of Force, Intimidation, and Conspiracy
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the elements of robbery with homicide, conspiracy liability, and why denial cannot defeat positive identification.
Jurisdictional Error: Appealing to the Wrong Court in Anti-Graft Cases
Learn how filing a COA appeal to the wrong court can be fatal, using a recent Supreme Court ruling on quantum meruit.
Death of Accused Pending Appeal Extinguishes Criminal and Civil Liability
When an accused dies while appeal is pending, criminal liability and civil liability ex delicto are extinguished under Article 89 of the Revised Penal Code.
Drug Sale Conviction Reversed: How the Chain of Custody Rule Protects the Accused
In People v. Nasara, the Supreme Court acquitted a drug-sale defendant after police failed to follow the chain of custody requirements under R.A. 9165.
Buy-Bust Operations: Procedural Lapses Do Not Automatically Invalidate Drug Sale Convictions
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that lapses in buy-bust procedures do not automatically invalidate drug convictions if the sale and evidence are proven.
Navigating the Chain of Custody: How Procedural Lapses Can Overturn Drug Convictions in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court acquitted a drug suspect due to broken chain of custody, and what Section 21 of RA 9165 requires.
Demand to Comply: The Key to Valid Ejectment in Lease Disputes
Learn the rules on ejectment and demand to vacate, plus when courts may stay execution of eviction judgments.
Water Districts as GOCCs: Reaffirming Government Control and Audit Authority
The Supreme Court reaffirms that water districts are government-owned or controlled corporations with special charters, settling tax and audit questions.
Double Jeopardy AND Court Jurisdiction Reinstating Parricide Charges
Death of the Accused Pending Appeal: What Happens to Criminal and Civil Liability
When an accused dies pending appeal, criminal liability and civil liability ex delicto are extinguished. Learn the rules from People v. Ayochok.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Statutory Rape and the Duty to Shield Children
The Court affirms a statutory rape conviction, explaining why a child's consent is immaterial and why the law must shield the young.
THE Limits OF DUE Process Challenging Convictions Based ON Alleged Judicial Bias
Res Judicata and Land Ownership: When a Criminal Ruling Does Not Bind a Civil Case
A criminal conviction for theft does not automatically settle land ownership in a separate civil case. Learn how res judicata applies.
When Final Judgments Clash: Upholding the Anti-Graft Law and Defining Usurpation of Judicial Functions in the
A provincial adjudicator ignored a final Court of Appeals ruling, leading to a landmark conviction under the Anti-Graft Law and a clarifying ruling on usurpation of judicial functions.
CIAC Jurisdiction in Construction Disputes: The Golangco Doctrine on Arbitration Clauses
The Supreme Court clarifies that an arbitration clause in a construction contract automatically vests CIAC with jurisdiction over all disputes arising from it.
Rape of a Person Deprived of Reason: Evidence and Conviction in People v. Lindo
The Supreme Court clarifies rape of a person deprived of reason, evidence admissibility, and conviction standards in People v. Lindo.
Protecting Children: Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Errors in Legal Citations
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction of child's neighbor, clarifies correct law under RA 8353, and finds two counts of rape.