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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Understanding the Crime of Using Falsified Documents in the Philippines
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains the crime of using falsified documents, its elements, and why procedural rules matter in appeals.
Non-Diminution of Benefits: When a Company Car Plan Change Is Allowed
The Supreme Court clarifies when changing a company car plan violates the non-diminution rule under Article 100 of the Labor Code.
Understanding Good Faith Purchasers and Property Rights in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court protects innocent purchasers for value in property disputes and what this means for your land ownership rights.
Plain View Doctrine: When Can Police Seize Evidence Without a Warrant
The Supreme Court explains the plain view doctrine's limits in warrantless seizures, using an illegal explosives case as a guide.
Property Disputes and Surveys: Why Courts Order Relocation Surveys in Writ of Possession Cases
The Supreme Court explains when courts may order a survey to ensure a writ of possession is enforced on the correct property.
Robbery with Rape: When Accomplices Are Liable for a Co-Accused’s Rape
The Supreme Court clarifies when a robber is liable for a co-accused’s rape, requiring proof of awareness and opportunity to prevent it.
Estoppel by Laches and Government Reversion Claims: The Sundiam Ruling
When can the government be barred from recovering public land? The Supreme Court's Sundiam ruling clarifies estoppel by laches and innocent purchasers for value.
Other Deceits Under Article 318: Lessons from Magalona v. People
Learn how the Supreme Court applied Other Deceits under Article 318 of the Revised Penal Code in Magalona v. People, and what it means for property transactions.
Robbery with Homicide vs Simple Robbery: When a Co-Robber Dies in a Police Shootout
The Supreme Court clarifies when a death during a robbery is "on the occasion" of the crime, and when it is not.
Understanding Statutory Rape and Sexual Assault Under Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies the legal boundaries between statutory rape and sexual assault, and the importance of precise charges.
Understanding Acceleration Clauses in Loan Agreements: A Guide to Immediate Debt Repayment
The Supreme Court explains how acceleration clauses work in loan agreements, allowing creditors to demand full payment upon default.
Understanding Recantation in Rape Cases: Insights from Philippine Jurisprudence
The Supreme Court explains why a rape victim's recantation after conviction deserves scant consideration, affirming a father's conviction.
Implied Repeal and Administrative Regulations: The CTPL Insurance Case
The Supreme Court explains when a new administrative regulation impliedly repeals an earlier one, using the CTPL insurance integration case as an example.
Robbery with Homicide: When a Deadly Robbery Is Only Simple Robbery
The Supreme Court explains when a death during a robbery still results in simple robbery, not robbery with homicide.
Franchise Renewal in Philippine Broadcasting: Insights from ABS-CBN v. NTC
The Supreme Court's ruling in ABS-CBN v. NTC clarifies that an expired legislative franchise cannot be extended by pending bills or administrative practice.
Gross Immorality and Bigamy: What Lawyers Risk in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling explains how bigamy and extra-marital affairs violate the lawyer's duty of good moral character.
Robbery With Rape in the Philippines: What the Supreme Court Ruling Means for Victims
A look at the Supreme Court's ruling on robbery with rape, clarifying penalties, damages, and how multiple rapes are treated under Philippine law.
Understanding Psychological Incapacity in Philippine Marriages: The Calma Case
The Supreme Court clarifies psychological incapacity under Article 36 of the Family Code, emphasizing totality of evidence over rigid rules.
Psychological Incapacity in Philippine Marriage Nullity: The Calma Case
The Supreme Court clarifies psychological incapacity under Article 36, Family Code, emphasizing totality of evidence over rigid Molina guidelines.
When Property Disputes Must First Go to Barangay Conciliation: Ngo v. Gabelo
The Supreme Court clarifies when failure to undergo barangay conciliation makes a property case dismissible, and why courts cannot simply suspend proceedings to cure the defect.
Compromise Agreements and Execution: Key Insights from a Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when compromise judgments may be executed, the effect of res judicata, and limits on denying execution.
Witness Presence in Drug Seizures: The Chain of Custody Rule Under RA 9165
The Supreme Court clarifies the chain of custody rule and witness requirements in drug seizures, and the scope of Section 13, RA 9165.
Understanding DUE Process IN Notice OF Disallowance Cases A Supreme Court Ruling
Abuse of Superior Strength in Murder Cases: Insights from People v. Serafin
The Supreme Court explains when abuse of superior strength qualifies killing as murder, using People v. Serafin as a guide.