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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Drunkenness and Misconduct: Upholding Ethical Standards in Public Service
A sheriff's habitual drunkenness, AWOL, and illegal firearm possession led to dismissal, reaffirming that public office is a public trust.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: The Element of Surprise in Homicide Cases
How the Supreme Court distinguished treachery from a sudden, provoked attack in People v. Caverte, and what it means for murder charges.
Defining the Boundaries of Rape: Penetration vs Attempt in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when rape is consummated versus merely attempted, requiring proof of penile entry into the labia.
VAT on Services: When "Trade or Business" Does Not Require Profit Motive
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that VAT applies to services rendered for a fee even without profit motive. Learn the rules.
Self-Defense and Alibi in Philippine Criminal Law: Lessons from People v. Caverte
A look at how the Supreme Court applied self-defense, alibi, treachery, and conspiracy rules in People v. Caverte.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Upholding the Testimony of Child Rape Victims in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction based on the credible testimony of a mentally disabled minor, clarifying rules on evidence and procedure.
Deceptive Recruitment Establishing Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt IN Illegal Recruitment AND Estafa
How the Supreme Court upheld a conviction for illegal recruitment in large scale and estafa based on deceptive recruitment schemes.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Rape of a Woman Deprived of Reason Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms that sexual intercourse with a mentally retarded woman constitutes rape under Article 335 of the Revised Penal Code.
Judicial Accountability Balancing Discretion AND DUE Process IN Granting Bail
Oral Partition and Estoppel: When Long-Standing Property Agreements Prevail
Supreme Court ruling on oral partition, estoppel, and long-standing property agreements in Philippine civil law.
Protecting the Credibility of Testimony From Persons With Mental Disabilities in Rape Cases
How Philippine courts assess rape testimony from mentally disabled victims, and why mental deficiency does not diminish credibility.
Tax Exemption Boundaries: PAGCOR Privileges and the Perils of Misrepresentation
Supreme Court clarifies that PAGCOR's tax exemption on importations does not automatically extend to concessionaires, and warns against fraudulent claims.
Liability in Travel Booking Errors: Defining Agency and Responsibility
When a travel booking fails, who pays? The Supreme Court clarifies agency rules and liability for unconfirmed flights.
Hearsay Evidence and the Right to Confrontation: Protecting the Accused
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on hearsay evidence, the right to confront witnesses, and why prosecutions must stand on solid proof.
When a Title Isn't Truth: Challenging Property Co-Ownership Claims in the Face of Prior Marriage
A Supreme Court ruling on how Torrens titles can be overturned when property was acquired during a subsisting first marriage.
Rescission Rights Understanding Contractual Obligations in Property Sales
Learn how Philippine courts treat right of first refusal clauses, rescission remedies, and contractual obligations in property sales from a 2000 Supreme Court ruling.
MMDA vs. Bel-Air Village: The Limits of Authority Over Private Roads
The Supreme Court ruled the MMDA cannot open private subdivision roads to public traffic without a local ordinance, clarifying its administrative role.
Breach of Duty: Upholding Integrity and Accountability in Court Processes
A lawyer's misuse of client funds for purported court fees leads to suspension and restitution, reinforcing ethical duties.
Docket Fees and the Right to Amend: Balancing Access to Justice in Patent Infringement Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on docket fees, amendments to complaints, and equitable access to justice in patent cases.
Citizenship Denied: Strict Scrutiny of Naturalization Requirements in the Philippines
The Supreme Court affirms strict compliance with naturalization requirements in Ong Chia v. Republic, denying citizenship for procedural lapses.
Rape With Intimidation: The Standard of Resistance and Aggravating Circumstances
The Supreme Court clarifies that in rape, intimidation can substitute for physical resistance, and aggravating circumstances need not be alleged in the information.
Upholding Substantial Justice Dismissal Based ON Technicalities AND Lost Titles
Attorney Suspended Six Months for Deceitful Loan Practices with Client
A lawyer who facilitated a fraudulent loan for his clients was suspended for six months. Learn the ethical rules and lessons from this Philippine Supreme Court case.