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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Seafarers' Sickness and Disability Benefits: What the Tuazon Case Teaches
The Supreme Court ruled that seafarers can claim sickness and disability benefits even with pre-existing conditions, as long as the illness occurs during the employment contract.
Writ of Possession in the Philippines: When Can a Bank Take Your Property
Learn when banks can take property in the Philippines through writs of possession, and how agrarian reform rights affect foreclosure cases.
When Is an Injury Considered Work Related Under Philippine Law
Learn how Philippine courts determine work-related injuries, what evidence matters, and what this means for compensation claims.
Shipowner's Limited Liability Rule in Philippine Maritime Law Explained
The Supreme Court explains the limited liability rule for shipowners in the Philippines, clarifying how the doctrine applies when vessels sink.
Reasonable Doubt in Philippine Criminal Law: When Does It Lead to Acquittal
The Supreme Court explains the moral certainty standard for proof beyond reasonable doubt and why weak eyewitness testimony leads to acquittal.
Homicide VS Murder Distinguishing Elements AND THE Burden OF Proof IN Criminal Cases
Learn how Philippine courts distinguish homicide from murder, and why the prosecution bears the burden of proof in every criminal case.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails When Eyewitness Testimony Fails the Test of Credibility
Supreme Court acquits murder accused after eyewitness accounts defy human experience and logic, reaffirming proof beyond reasonable doubt.
Concurrent Jurisdiction and Forum Shopping: Lessons from a Copyright Dispute
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how courts of concurrent jurisdiction must defer to the court first acquiring jurisdiction to prevent forum shopping.
Independent Contractor vs Employee: Key Distinctions in Philippine Labor Law
When is a worker an employee, not an independent contractor? The Supreme Court explains the tests in this Philippine labor case.
Reconstitution of Land Titles: Protecting Property Rights in the Philippines
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling on judicial reconstitution of lost titles, emphasizing due process and jurisdictional requirements to protect property rights.
Verbal Contracts in the Philippines: Why Written Agreements Win in Court
Verbal contracts are valid in the Philippines but hard to prove. Learn from Romago v. Court of Appeals why written agreements prevail.
Laches vs. Torrens Title: Why Delay Can Cost You Your Land in the Philippines
A Torrens title is strong but not absolute—unreasonable delay in asserting ownership can lead to losing the property to laches.
Judicial Accountability THE Duty TO Expedite Cases AND Uphold Legal Standards
Judicial Delay: What Happens When Judges Fail to Decide Cases on Time
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling on a judge fined for dereliction of duty explains the consequences of judicial delay and the importance of the Rule on Summary Procedure.
Equal Pay for Equal Work: When Hiring Origin Cannot Justify Wage Discrimination
Philippine Supreme Court rules that paying foreign-hire teachers more than local-hires for the same work violates equal pay for equal work.
Incestuous Rape THE Moral Ascendancy Standard IN Philippine LAW
Reasonable Doubt and Unreliable Eyewitness Testimony: Acquittal in Highway Robbery Case
The Supreme Court acquitted a highway robbery convict because the prosecution's sole eyewitness gave contradictory and unreliable testimony.
When Can You Use Force in Self-Defense? Philippine Law Explained
Philippine law on self-defense explained: when force is justified, the burden of proof, and what the Supreme Court requires.
Improvident Plea in Rape Cases: Ensuring Voluntariness and Comprehension
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on conditional guilty pleas, void judgments, and the required searching inquiry in capital rape cases.
Legal Redemption Notice: When a Co-Owner's Letter From the Vendee Suffices
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a co-owner's right of redemption starts, and whether notice from the vendee can trigger the 30-day period.
When Can Testimony Be Disregarded? Analyzing Witness Credibility in Philippine Courts
The Supreme Court explains when witness testimony may be disregarded and why trial court findings on credibility are rarely disturbed on appeal.
Royalty Payments After Franchise Expiration: When the Assigned Right Ceases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether royalty fees continue after the underlying franchise agreement expires and the assigned right ceases to exist.
Rape Conviction and Procedural Accuracy: Lessons from People v. Magat
A father's rape conviction shows why void plea bargains, double jeopardy, and proper arraignment procedure matter in Philippine criminal law.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Intent and Qualifying Circumstances
Learn how treachery qualifies homicide to murder in Philippine law, explained through the Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Obosa.