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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GSIS Jurisdiction Over Housing Loan Disputes: The Rafael Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when GSIS has exclusive jurisdiction over housing loan disputes and when courts may take cognizance of contractual claims.
Ascendancy and Abuse: Examining Parental Authority in Rape Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a father's rape conviction, explaining how parental authority can substitute for force and intimidation.
Supreme Court Upholds Murder Conviction Despite Eyewitness Recantation
SC affirms murder conviction of man who stabbed victim with double-edged knife, ruling recanted testimony deserves scant weight.
Recanted Testimony: When Prior Statements Overrule a Witness's Change of Heart
The Supreme Court explains when a recanted testimony deserves scant consideration and why prior statements can convict.
Dying Declarations vs Res Gestae: Hearsay Exceptions in Philippine Murder Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when a victim's dying words are admissible—as a dying declaration or as res gestae—in a murder conviction.
Human Trafficking Consent and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act
The Supreme Court clarifies that a victim's consent is irrelevant in human trafficking cases under RA 9208, as amended by RA 10364.
Co-Ownership and Ejectment: When a Co-Owner Can Be Evicted for Forcible Entry
A co-owner who forcibly takes exclusive possession of common property can be ejected. Learn the rules on co-ownership and forcible entry from a 2022 Supreme Court ruling.
When a Lawyer's Dual Clients Create a Conflict of Interest: Lessons from Marcelo-Salud v. Bolivar
A lawyer who represents tenants while also serving as counsel to the alleged property owner may face discipline for conflicting interests, even if the main complaint fails.
Attorney Conflicts of Interest: When Dual Representation Violates Client Loyalty
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a lawyer's dual representation becomes a prohibited conflict of interest under Rule 15.03 of the CPR.
Navigating Search Warrants, Witness Presence, and Chain of Custody in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a drug conviction, clarifying rules on search warrant implementation, witness presence, and chain of custody under RA 9165.
Navigating Search Warrants Ensuring Rights AND Proper Procedure IN Drug Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a drug conviction, showing how proper search warrant implementation and strict chain of custody lead to lawful seizure.
Upholding Decorum: Court Employee Dismissed for Gross Misconduct and Insubordination
The Supreme Court dismissed a court stenographer for repeated gross misconduct and insubordination, underscoring strict decorum standards for judiciary personnel.
Taxing Transit: LRTA Exemption and the Public Good
The Supreme Court ruled the Light Rail Transit Authority is a government instrumentality exempt from real property tax, resolving conflicting rulings.
Jurisdiction Limits Intestate Courts AND Ownership Disputes IN Estate Proceedings
Estate vs Trustee: Intestate Courts Cannot Decide Ownership Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that intestate courts lack jurisdiction to adjudicate ownership of properties claimed by third parties under adverse title.
Circumstantial Evidence and Dying Declarations in Rape-Homicide Convictions
How the Supreme Court upheld a rape-homicide conviction using circumstantial evidence and the victim's dying declaration.
Dismissed Electric Cooperative GM Can't Claim Retirement: NEA Jurisdiction Ruling
Supreme Court affirms NEA's exclusive jurisdiction over electric cooperative GM retirement claims, forfeiting benefits upon valid dismissal.
Moral Turpitude and Public Service: Examining the Boundaries of Mitigation in Administrative Penalties
The Supreme Court clarifies when mitigating circumstances can—and cannot—reduce the penalty of dismissal for conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude.
Proving Online Abuse: Supreme Court Sets Guidelines on Social Media Authorship in VAWC Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies how to prove authorship of abusive social media posts and raises penalties when ICT is used in VAWC offenses.
Falsification of Public Documents and Anti-Graft Liability: The Maasin River Quarrying Case
A vice mayor's conviction for falsifying Sangguniang Bayan minutes and violating the Anti-Graft Law, explaining the legal principles involved.
Annulment of Judgment: Jurisdiction vs. Exercise of Authority in Land Title Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between lack of jurisdiction and excess of jurisdiction in annulment of judgment cases involving land titles.
Tenant Rights vs Landowner Control: Clarifying Agrarian Dispute Jurisdiction in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts must refer ejectment cases to the DAR and what the DAR certification must contain.
Challenging Land Titles: Jurisdiction and Collateral Attacks Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when courts may hear challenges to land titles, and when such actions amount to prohibited collateral attacks.
DARAB Jurisdiction Over Agrarian Land Disputes and Beneficiary Rights
Supreme Court clarifies DARAB jurisdiction over agrarian disputes and farmer-beneficiary rights even after title issuance.