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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Energy Sector Disputes Clarifying Jurisdiction Between the ERC and DOE
Supreme Court clarifies which agency hears energy disputes: the ERC's jurisdiction is limited, while the DOE handles distribution issues.
Competitive Bidding VS Reasonable Classification Constitutionality OF Procurement Restrictions
Special Agrarian Court Jurisdiction: Province-Wide, Not Just Local
Just compensation cases may be heard by the designated Special Agrarian Court anywhere in the province, even outside its regular territory.
Determining Agrarian Disputes Jurisdiction Between DARAB and DAR Secretary
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when the DARAB, not the DAR Secretary, has jurisdiction over agrarian disputes involving OLT coverage.
Treachery Defined Ensuring Justice FOR Victims OF Sudden Attacks IN THE Philippines
Collective Bargaining Agreements and Voluntary Arbitration in Labor Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on CBA disputes, grievance machinery, and voluntary arbitration jurisdiction in labor cases.
When Government Corporations Are Not Employers: The LRTA Case on Labor Jurisdiction
The Supreme Court clarifies when government-owned corporations with original charters fall outside labor arbiter jurisdiction, using the LRTA-METRO case.
Employer-Employee Relationship Defines Labor Jurisdiction in Contractual Arrangements
When does a government-owned corporation become liable for a contractor's employees? The Supreme Court clarifies jurisdiction rules.
Bail After Conviction: Discretion vs. Right in Philippine Law
Explaining Leviste v. CA: bail after conviction is discretionary, not automatic, even without bail-negating circumstances under Rule 114.
Bail Pending Appeal After Conviction: Why Discretion Is Not Automatic
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling in Leviste v. Court of Appeals on bail pending appeal, judicial discretion, and the limits of certiorari.
Understanding Reasonable Doubt and Guilty Pleas in Philippine Criminal Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on guilty pleas, territorial jurisdiction, and conviction based on evidence rather than plea alone.
Guilty Plea Lasting Impact Rape Conviction Stands Despite Procedural Errors
Supreme Court rules an improvident guilty plea does not void a rape conviction when credible evidence independently supports it.
Circumstantial Evidence in Rape with Homicide: The Unbroken Chain of Guilt
The Supreme Court explains when circumstantial evidence suffices to convict in rape with homicide, and the penalties and damages that follow.
Warsaw Convention Limits Philippine Courts' Jurisdiction Over International Air Travel Claims
Philippine courts lack jurisdiction over claims arising from international flights under the Warsaw Convention, as shown in Lhuillier v. British Airways.
Tax Refund Requisites: Proving Income Inclusion in Tax Returns
The Supreme Court clarifies the strict requisites for tax refund claims, emphasizing the taxpayer's burden to prove income was declared in the return.
Jurisdictional Estoppel When Participation Waives Objections in Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how active participation in trial can bar a party from later questioning the court's jurisdiction in property cases.
Seafarers Disability Claim Denied Strict Compliance With Reporting Rules
Philippine Supreme Court denies seafarer's disability claim for failing the mandatory three-day post-employment medical examination rule under the POEA contract.
Confessions to Barangay Peacekeepers Without Counsel Are Inadmissible Evidence
The Supreme Court rules that uncounselled confessions to bantay bayan members are inadmissible in evidence, but a rape conviction can still stand on other proof.
Ensuring Fair Representation: The Constitutionality of Legislative District Creation Based on Population
The Supreme Court struck down a law creating Malolos City's legislative district for failing the 250,000 population requirement and territorial contiguity rule.
Valid Service of Summons on Residents Temporarily Abroad: The Palma Case
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that substituted service of summons is valid for residents temporarily out of the country, and explains when voluntary appearance waives jurisdictional objections.
Warrantless Arrest and Victim Identification in Robbery with Rape Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when a warrantless arrest is deemed waived and how victim identification is weighed in robbery with rape convictions.
Protecting Children: Upholding the Credibility of Child Victims in Parental Abuse Cases
A Supreme Court ruling explains why a child victim's testimony is given full weight in incestuous rape cases, and why an intact hymen does not disprove rape.
Public Officials Held Accountable: Strict Compliance With Procurement Laws
Mayor convicted for violating procurement rules and anti-graft law; personal canvass exceptions demand strict compliance.
One Title, One Truth: Resolving Conflicting Claims in the Maysilo Estate Saga
The Supreme Court resolves a decades-old land dispute, affirming that only one OCT No. 994 exists and dismissing a petition for mandamus.