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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Unreliable Eyewitness Testimony: How Philippine Courts Determine Credibility in Criminal Cases
Philippine courts weigh witness credibility, not just testimony quantity. Learn how the Supreme Court evaluates eyewitness accounts in rape cases.
The 90-Day Rule for Judges: What It Means for Speedy Justice in the Philippines
The 90-day rule requires Philippine judges to decide cases promptly. Learn how it works, what happens on delay, and the lessons from a landmark Supreme Court ruling.
Hulidap Defense in Philippine Drug Cases: Why It Usually Fails
The Supreme Court explains why the "hulidap" defense rarely succeeds in drug cases and what accused persons must prove to overcome it.
Philippine Security of Tenure: Why Fixed-Term Employment Can't Sidestep Regularization
The Supreme Court strikes down a fixed-term contract scheme that blocked an employee's regularization, reaffirming constitutional security of tenure for Philippine workers.
When Circumstantial Evidence Leads TO Conviction Understanding Murder Cases IN THE Philippines
Homicide vs Murder: Understanding the Nuances of Intent in Philippine Criminal Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when a killing is homicide, not murder, and why qualifying circumstances must be proven beyond doubt.
The Power of Eyewitness Testimony in Philippine Courts: People v. De la Cruz
How Philippine courts weigh eyewitness testimony, alibi, and circumstantial evidence in robbery with homicide cases.
When Witnesses Can't See: Proving Robbery With Homicide Through Circumstantial Evidence
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how circumstantial evidence can prove robbery with homicide even without eyewitnesses to the killing.
Limits of DOLE Jurisdiction: When the Labor Secretary Can Intervene in Philippine Labor Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies that the Labor Secretary may only assume jurisdiction over strikes in industries indispensable to national interest.
RTC vs. MTC Jurisdiction: Filing Property Partition and Deed Annulment Cases
Learn when property partition and deed annulment cases belong in the RTC or MTC, based on Russell v. Vestil.
When Accident Doesnt Excuse Murder Understanding Parricide AND Intent IN Philippine LAW
A police officer shoots his wife, claims accident, but the Supreme Court affirms parricide. Learn how intent and evidence work in Philippine criminal law.
Understanding Court Stenographer Fees in the Philippines: A Guide for Litigants
Learn about court stenographer fees in Philippine litigation, who pays, when they apply, and how to manage these costs.
Philippine Estate Administration: When the Surviving Spouse Loses Preference as Administrator
The Supreme Court clarifies when a surviving spouse may lose the preferential right to administer a deceased partner's estate.
Philippine Supreme Court Upholds Arbitration Finality and Limited Court Intervention
Explore how the Supreme Court affirmed arbitration finality under RA 876 while correcting interest rates and damages in National Steel Corp. v. E. Willkom Enterprises.
Union Dues and Employee Rights: Ensuring Legal Check-Offs in the Philippines
Philippine law on union dues check-off explained: what employees must know about authorized deductions, consent, and their rights under labor rules.
Time Is of the Essence: Prescription and Laches in Philippine Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how prescription and laches bar property claims filed decades after a sale with pacto de retro.
Lost Your Appeal Understanding Certiorari AND Final Judgments IN Philippine Courts
Learn how Philippine courts treat petitions for review on certiorari, final judgments, and due process in administrative proceedings.
Sheriffs' Duty to Enforce Writs of Execution: Lessons from Dilan v. Dulfo
A sheriff who fails to fully enforce a writ of execution breaches his duty. Learn the rules from Dilan v. Dulfo.
Complex Crime vs Separate Offenses: When Multiple Murders Are Not a Single Crime
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when multiple killings form one complex crime or separate offenses, and the effect on penalties.
Illegal Recruitment in Large Scale: Supreme Court Upholds Protection for Filipino Workers
The Supreme Court affirms the conviction of an unlicensed recruiter for illegal recruitment in large scale and estafa, protecting overseas Filipino workers from fraudulent schemes.
Due Process in Philippine Banking: Defending Against Monetary Board Sanctions
Learn how the Supreme Court defined due process rights for bank officers facing Monetary Board sanctions in Busuego v. Court of Appeals.
Missed Deadlines Dismissed Appeals Why Timely Filing Is Non-Negotiable in Philippine Courts
The Supreme Court affirms dismissal of an appeal for a late brief, underscoring that procedural deadlines bind both counsel and clients.
Final Judgment IS Final: Navigating Lawyer Negligence and Execution in Philippine Courts
A Supreme Court ruling on final judgments, lawyer negligence, and execution of writs in Philippine courts—what litigants need to know.
Land Ownership in the Philippines: Why Possession Isn't Always Nine Tenths of the Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains when lengthy possession of public land cannot ripen into private ownership, and why free patents prevail.