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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Inordinate Delay in Administrative Cases: The Right to Speedy Disposition After Llevares
Explore how the Supreme Court's Llevares ruling protects public officials from inordinate delay in administrative cases, and what this means for your rights.
Floating Status in Philippine Labor Law: When Suspension Becomes Illegal Dismissal
Learn when an employee's floating status becomes illegal dismissal under Philippine law, based on a 2024 Supreme Court ruling.
When Is a Judge Liable for Misconduct in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when a judge's private acts constitute gross misconduct, using a case where a magistrate helped his wife defraud a supplier.
When Can a Judge Be Disciplined for Rulings in a Criminal Case? Lessons from Bloomberry v. Luna
A look at when judges face discipline for trial rulings, witness disqualification, and courtroom conduct, citing the Supreme Court's 2024 ruling.
Premarital Pregnancy and Employee Rights: Illegal Suspension in the Philippines
Supreme Court rules suspending a teacher for premarital pregnancy is illegal; secular morality governs employment discipline in the Philippines.
Forcible Entry vs Unlawful Detainer: Key Rules on Property Possession Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between forcible entry and unlawful detainer, and the proper remedy for appealing possession cases.
Zoning vs Vested Rights: When Local Ordinances Clash With National Policy
Supreme Court rules on Quezon City zoning ordinance vs Manila Seedling Bank's usufructuary rights over national government property.
Renewable Energy VAT Refunds: What Hedcor v. CIR Means for Philippine Developers
The Supreme Court clarifies when renewable energy developers can claim VAT refunds under of the NIRC versus seeking reimbursement from suppliers.
Solidary Liability in Construction Contracts: When LWUA Shares Responsibility
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when LWUA can be held solidarily liable with water districts for construction contract obligations.
Contractor Licensing in the Philippines: PCAB vs. DTI Jurisdiction Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies that PCAB, not DTI, has jurisdiction over complaints against unlicensed contractors in the Philippines.
Lawyer Negligence and Client Funds: Supreme Court Suspends Attorney for Two Years
A lawyer who neglects a client's case, ignores demands for updates, and keeps client funds faces suspension. The Supreme Court explains why.
Foreclosure Prescription: When Does a Bank's Right to Foreclose Expire?
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that extrajudicial foreclosure filings do not stop the 10-year prescription period for mortgage actions under Article 1142.
Proving Income Declaration for Creditable Withholding Tax Refunds in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies how taxpayers can prove income declaration for creditable withholding tax refund claims, easing documentary requirements.
Attorney Misconduct: Handling Client Funds and Accountability in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine lawyers must account for client funds and return unused amounts, based on Supreme Court rulings on attorney discipline.
Illegal Recruitment in the Philippines: Know Your Rights and Legal Remedies
Understand illegal recruitment in the Philippines, its penalties, and how victims can seek justice, explained through a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: How a Judicial Admission Can Affect Your Rights in the Philippines
A judicial admission can excuse gaps in the chain of custody—but only up to a point. Learn how the Supreme Court applied this rule in a drug possession case.
Abandonment in Agrarian Leaseholds: What Farmers and Landowners Must Know
The Supreme Court clarifies when a farmer's absence amounts to abandonment—and why notarized documents alone cannot end a leasehold.
Mayor's GSIS Remittance Liability: Intent Still Matters in Criminal Cases
Supreme Court acquits mayor of GSIS non-remittance, ruling that intent to perpetrate the prohibited act must still be proven even in malum prohibitum cases.
Navigating Employment Status: Contract of Service vs Regular Employment in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when workers in government-owned corporations are contract of service workers, not regular employees entitled to security of tenure.
Navigating Government Procurement: Avoiding Liability in Disallowed Transactions
Learn how the Supreme Court held BAC members liable for flawed procurement, and how to avoid audit disallowances.
Qualified Rape of a Minor: Supreme Court Clarifies Proper Designation and Damages
The Supreme Court clarifies the proper designation of rape of a minor and increases damages in a father's conviction for three counts of qualified rape.
Protecting Installment Buyers Understanding Rescission Rights Under THE Maceda LAW
The Supreme Court clarifies the strict notarial and grace period requirements for canceling installment contracts under the Maceda Law.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Upholding Justice in Cases of Qualified Rape of a Minor
The Supreme Court affirms a father's conviction for three counts of qualified rape of his minor daughter, clarifying the proper crime designation and increasing damages.
Seafarer Disability Claims Understanding Valid Medical Assessments AND Your Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies what makes a company-designated physician's medical assessment valid in seafarer disability claims, protecting seafarer rights.