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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Re-Election and Criminal Liability: Why Public Officials Can Still Face Suspension for Past Misdeeds
Re-election does not erase criminal liability. The Supreme Court clarifies preventive suspension still applies to public officials for prior-term offenses.
When Is Killing Justifiable Self-Defense in the Philippines? People v. Magaro
The Supreme Court explains when killing is justifiable self-defense and when it is homicide, using People v. Magaro as a guide.
Illegal Recruitment and Estafa: When Overseas Job Promises Turn Into Fraud
A look at how Philippine courts treat illegal recruitment and estafa when unlicensed recruiters defraud aspiring overseas workers.
Reasonable Doubt and the Presumption of Innocence in Philippine Criminal Justice
How the Supreme Court applies the presumption of innocence and reasonable doubt standard in a statutory rape case, and what this means for criminal trials.
Child Testimony in Philippine Statutory Rape Cases: Insights from People v. Galleno
How Philippine courts assess a child's testimony in statutory rape cases, explained through People v. Galleno.
When Self Defense Becomes Homicide: Treachery and Unlawful Aggression in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when a claim of self-defense fails and why a killing is homicide, not murder, absent treachery.
When Private Immorality Leads to Public Disbarment: Understanding Lawyer Ethics in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling shows how a lawyer's private misconduct—abandoning his family—can lead to disbarment.
Self-Defense or Murder: Understanding Justifying Circumstances in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains when self-defense fails and why a killing may be homicide, not murder, in People v. Solis.
Executive Orders vs Agency Circulars: Navigating Pilotage Fee Regulations in the Philippines
When an executive issuance and agency circulars conflict over pilotage fees, which prevails? The Supreme Court settles the hierarchy.
Corporate Mergers and Contract Enforcement: Successor Liability in the Philippines
When a Philippine corporation merges, the surviving company assumes all rights and liabilities—even for contracts signed after the merger agreement.
Navigating PD 1818: When Philippine Courts Cannot Halt Infrastructure Projects
The Supreme Court clarifies the scope of PD 1818, which bars courts from enjoining government infrastructure projects, in Garcia v. Burgos.
Protecting Your Property Rights: Encroachment and Builder in Bad Faith in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts handle property encroachment and the consequences of being a builder in bad faith, based on a Supreme Court ruling.
How Philippine Courts Assess Witness Credibility and Nighttime Aggravation
A 1998 Supreme Court ruling explains how trial courts weigh witness credibility, self-defense claims, and when nighttime aggravates a crime.
When IS Self Defense Valid IN THE Philippines Analyzing Intent AND Proportionality
Understand self-defense in Philippine law: when it applies, the requirements of unlawful aggression, and how courts weigh intent and proportionality.
Warranting Precision: Why Describing the Right Place Is Crucial in Search Warrants
The Supreme Court explains why the place to be searched must be described with precision, and the consequences of a vague warrant.
Illegal Dismissal in the Philippines: Understanding Your Rights to Back Wages and Reinstatement
Learn how Philippine law protects workers from illegal dismissal, including rights to back wages, reinstatement, and separation pay.
When Strikes ARE Legal Understanding Good Faith AND Illegal Dismissal IN Philippine Labor LAW
Repossession Expenses and Chattel Mortgage Foreclosure: Understanding Mortgagor Liabilities
When foreclosure becomes a fait accompli, can a mortgagor still sue for damages? The Supreme Court clarifies the rule.
Night Shift Differential Pay in the Philippines: Who Bears the Burden of Proof?
In claims for night shift differential pay, the employer bears the burden of proving payment, not the worker. Learn the rule from this Supreme Court case.
Valid Dismissal for Insubordination: Employee Rights and Company Discipline in the Philippines
Understand when a strike is legal and dismissal valid under Philippine labor law, based on a Supreme Court ruling on employee rights.
Credibility Is Key: Why Philippine Courts Prioritize Victim Testimony in Criminal Cases
Philippine courts give great weight to trial court findings on witness credibility. Learn why in People v. De la Cruz.
Protecting Dreams Preventing Scams Understanding Illegal Recruitment AND Estafa IN Philippine Overseas Employm
The Supreme Court explains when illegal recruitment and estafa apply to overseas employment scams, and why victims can recover.
Internal Rules of Congress and Law Validity: Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence
Explore how the Supreme Court ruled that Congress's internal rules, when violated, do not invalidate laws, citing Arroyo v. De Venecia.
Void Sales: Why Philippine Law Demands Spousal Consent for Conjugal Property
A spouse cannot sell conjugal property alone. Guiang v. CA explains why such sales are void, not just voidable.