Philippine Law Articles

Consumer Prices

Rice Price Caps, Importers, and Competition Law

Why the PCC warned rice traders against sharing price information, and when the Price Act's automatic 60-day price freeze applies after a calamity declaration.

Tax

Casino Jackpot Taxes in the Philippines

BIR RMC 57-2026: PAGCOR-licensed casinos withhold 20% final tax before releasing jackpots. What BIR Form 2306 is and why winners should always request it.

Food Security

El Nino, Food Supply, and Price Law in the Philippines

When a calamity is declared due to El Niño drought, RA 10121's NDRRM Fund and RA 7581's automatic price freeze activate to protect farmers and consumers.

Consumer Prices

Is the ₱50 Rice Price Ceiling Legal?

How Executive Order 118 imposing a ₱50/kg ceiling on imported rice connects to the Price Act, emergency price controls, and market rights in the Philippines.

Tax Law

Can the President Suspend Fuel Excise Taxes in the Philippines?

What RA 12316 does: presidential authority to suspend or reduce petroleum excise taxes, NIRC amendments, and the limits of emergency fiscal powers.

Gaming Regulation

Should Online Gambling Be Banned or Regulated in the Philippines?

The legal framework for online gambling under PAGCOR, the proposed Anti-Online Gambling Act, e-wallet concerns, minor access, and consumer protection debate.

Consumer Finance

Your Bank May Now Have to Refund You After an Online Scam

AFASA's compliance deadline passed in June 2026. Banks can no longer treat an entered OTP as proof you authorized the transfer — and the Supreme Court has now barred clawbacks after a bank's own gross negligence.

Consumer Prices

State of Calamity: The 60-Day Price Freeze and What Else It Triggers

A calamity declaration automatically freezes basic necessities for 60 days — Pampanga, Bulacan, and towns in Pangasinan and Batangas are covered now. What is frozen, what is not, and how to report overcharging.

Regulation

Why the Supreme Court Struck Down 24/7 Tracking of Fishing Boats

FAO No. 266 failed even the rational basis test — on searches, due process, and equal protection. A template for challenging any agency regulation that overreaches its statute.

Tax

The Estate Tax Amnesty Has Expired: How to Settle Inherited Property Now

The amnesty ended June 14, 2025 and extension bills to 2028 are still pending. What transfer now costs — 6% plus surcharge and interest — and the steps from Rule 74 settlement to eCAR.

Gaming Regulation

The Push to Ban Gambling Advertising, and the E-Wallet Delinking Order

Senate Bill 2347 would ban gambling ads across all media with fines up to ₱200,000. Meanwhile the BSP has already ordered e-wallets to strip out gambling links within 48 hours.

Public Safety

Firearms License Revocation and Due Process

RA 10591: the legal difference between an LTOPF and a PTCFOR, the six grounds for revocation under Section 39, and due process rights before cancellation.

Criminal Law

Obstruction of Justice and Helping a Fugitive

PD 1829's nine prohibited acts, the 'knowingly' element, and why — unlike the Revised Penal Code accessories rule — there is no family exemption.

Courts

TROs, Arrest Warrants, and Temporary Immunity

Why a TRO petition does not stop an arrest warrant in criminal cases, and what Rule 117 Motion to Quash or Rule 102 Habeas Corpus actually accomplish.

Juvenile Justice

Can Minors Be Criminally Liable for a School Shooting in the Philippines?

What the Tacloban school shooting tells us about juvenile criminal liability, discernment, DSWD custody, and firearm liability of adults under Philippine law.

Digital Law

When Does Cyber Libel Prescribe in the Philippines?

The Supreme Court's ruling that cyber libel prescribes in one year from discovery — not 12 or 15 years — and what this means for accused and complainants.

Banking Law

Can Banks Disclose Account Holder Information in Cybercrime Cases?

The Philippine Supreme Court ruling on bank secrecy and cybercrime investigations: when deposit confidentiality applies and when account information may be disclosed.

International Law

Can the Philippines Enforce an ICC Arrest Warrant?

The legal framework around ICC cooperation, Philippine sovereignty, the dela Rosa TRO ruling, and how international arrest warrants interact with domestic law.

Criminal Procedure

Can You Be Stopped From Leaving the Country Before a Case Is Even Filed?

The Court limited PHDOs to crimes punishable by at least six years and one day, or to foreigners — and held that a pending appeal from a dismissed estafa charge cannot keep a travel ban alive.

Gaming Regulation

The New Rule on POGO Asset Forfeiture: No Conviction Required

The Court approved a Rule letting the government forfeit buildings, equipment, and proceeds tied to banned offshore gaming on preponderance of evidence, with no criminal case and judgment in 30 days.

Digital Rights

Deepfakes and AI Nudes: What Philippine Law Already Covers

About 47 AI bills sit pending in the 20th Congress. Five existing laws already reach deepfake abuse today — and one real gap remains in the voyeurism statute.

Criminal Law

Is Plunder Really Non-Bailable? What Actually Happens After the Charge

Senators have been arrested on plunder charges. Bail actually requires a hearing where the prosecution must show the evidence of guilt is strong — plus how preventive suspension and RA 1379 forfeiture work.

Criminal Procedure

The Missing Sabungeros Cases Moved to Quezon City. Who Can Order That?

The Supreme Court moved three kidnapping cases from Laguna and Batangas to Quezon City for security reasons. The constitutional power behind that — and what happens when an accused stays at large.

Education

Brigada Eskwela Donations and Public School Rules

DepEd Memo 027 s. 2026 and RA 4206 as amended by RA 5546 prohibit mandatory collections — contributions may not be tied to enrollment or release of grades.

Anti-Corruption

Plunder, Graft, and Flood Control Project Cases

RA 7080 (₱50M threshold, reclusion perpetua) vs RA 3019 §3(e) (no minimum, 6–15 years): why prosecutors file both charges in the same infrastructure case.

Rights

Foreign Nationals and Law Enforcement Rights

The 1987 Constitution's Bill of Rights covers all persons. Vienna Convention Art. 36 requires consular notification. Criminal and immigration tracks are separate.

Maritime Law

West Philippine Sea, Maritime Zones, and the Rule of Law

RA 12064 (Maritime Zones Act, 2024), sovereignty vs. sovereign rights in the EEZ, and what the 2016 Arbitral Award ruled about the nine-dash line and Scarborough Shoal.

Constitutional Law

How Impeachment Works in the Philippines: The Sara Duterte Senate Trial Explained

A plain-English guide to the Philippine impeachment process: House vote threshold, Senate as impeachment court, conviction effects, and due process rights. Updated with trial developments.

Constitutional Law

The Prosecution's Case Against VP Sara Duterte, Explained

The legal theory and Philippine statutes behind each of the four Articles of Impeachment, article by article.

Constitutional Law

VP Sara Duterte's Legal Defense, Explained

Article-by-article rebuttals, procedural objections, and the Supreme Court challenge her legal team has raised so far.

Banking & Tax Law

Can the Impeachment Court Open VP Sara Duterte's Bank and Tax Records?

RA 1405 expressly excepts impeachment from bank secrecy. RA 6426 shields foreign currency deposits absolutely. Tax returns need the President's order under Sec. 71.

Traffic Law

Is NCAP Legal Again? What the Supreme Court Actually Ruled

The Court lifted the 2022 TRO but never ruled NCAP constitutional. What it decided, and what to do if a Notice of Violation arrives.

Data Privacy

Can a Government Enforcer Post Your Apprehension Online?

Blurring a face does not end the analysis. Why the Data Privacy Act has no "public place" exception, and why the burden of proving an exemption falls on the agency.

Family Law

Annulment in the Philippines: Both Spouses Wanting Out Is Not Collusion

Republic v. Wong (2026): a mutual desire to end the marriage, or a spouse who does not contest, is not collusion. Nullity, annulment, and legal separation compared.

Election Law

When Does a Campaign Donation Become a Crime?

Government contractors cannot donate at all. Unreported contributions lose their tax exemption. And the plunder law counts a "gift" as ill-gotten wealth.

Public Finance

What Are Unprogrammed Funds, and Why Is the 2024–2026 Budget Before the Supreme Court?

A guide to unprogrammed appropriations, bicameral conference committee powers, special accounts in the GAA, and why taxpayer petitions reached the Supreme Court.

Autonomy Law

Why Were the First BARMM Parliamentary Elections Reset Again?

What RA 12317 does to the first BARMM regular election, the holdover BTA government, Comelec authority, and the path to Bangsamoro self-governance.

Technology Law

Can the Government Block a Violent Game or App After a Crime?

How Philippine law governs blocking of apps like GoreBox, CICC cybercrime powers, child protection, and free speech limits after violence-linked content concerns.

Telecommunications

What Does the Konektadong Pinoy Act Change for Internet Access?

How RA 12234 changes telco competition, data transmission frameworks, franchise requirements, satellite providers, and cybersecurity compliance in the Philippines.

Constitutional Law

Why the Supreme Court Will Not Stop an Impeachment Once It Reaches the Senate

The Court dismissed the petitions against the House impeachment proceedings as moot on August 5, 2026. Why that is not an endorsement — and what it leaves open for the next impeachment.

Human Rights

The Writ of Amparo and the Writ of Habeas Data: How They Work

The Court granted both writs to four Negros rights advocates on August 5, 2026, with a one-kilometer stay-away order. What each writ does, who can file, and why there are no docket fees.

International Law

The ICC Trial Opens November 30: How Filipino Victims Take Part

Charges were confirmed on April 23, 2026 and trial opens November 30. How victim participation works, who qualifies under the confirmed charge period, and why reparations require a conviction.

Free Speech

Calling the Supreme Court Names Is Not Contempt

The Court dismissed indirect contempt petitions over harsh criticism of its impeachment ruling. Political speech is protected unless intended and likely to cause imminent lawless action.

Constitutional Law

Does Pax Silica Need Senate Ratification?

The Philippines signed a Declaration of Inclusion in April 2026, with an agreement eyed for November. Whether the Senate must concur turns on the treaty versus executive agreement distinction.

Elections

Barangay and SK Elections 2026: Who Can Run, and What Disqualifies You

COC filing runs September 28 to October 5, 2026. Age, residency, and voter requirements for punong barangay, kagawad, and SK — plus the seven disqualifications under Section 40.

Election Law

Election Offenses in the 2026 Barangay and SK Elections

Vote-buying, the October 3 gun ban, prohibited fundraising, the liquor ban, and the 30-meter rule — plus the one-to-six-year penalty and lifetime disqualification under Section 264.

Constitutional Law

Can Congress Postpone the Barangay Elections Again?

A Senate panel approved bills resetting the November 2, 2026 BSKE. Why the Supreme Court voided RA 11935 in 2023 but upheld RA 12232 in 2025 — and what that means for a third attempt.

Election Law

Why the Philippines Still Has No Anti-Dynasty Law

The Constitution prohibits political dynasties 'as may be defined by law.' Thirty-nine years on, no such law exists — while the SK version works. What the pending bills would have to decide.

Family Law

Acquitted of Bigamy: A Void First Marriage Is a Defense, No Court Declaration Needed

The Court acquitted a woman charged with bigamy because her first marriage had no license and no ceremony. Why a prior declaration of nullity is not required in the criminal case — and why you may still need one.

Property

Paid a Reservation Fee and Never Got a Contract to Sell? You Can Get Your Money Back

The Court ordered a developer to refund ₱130,000 plus ₱260,000 in exemplary damages after no Contract to Sell was issued. Why a sales agent's promise is not a PD 957 advertisement but still binds.

VAWC

Abuse Posted on Facebook: Why the Penalty Goes Up One Degree

The Court raised a VAWC conviction by one degree because the abuse was posted on Facebook. What Section 6 of the Cybercrime Act does — and why the Information has to say so.

Labor

Illegally Dismissed? Your Employer Owes SSS Contributions Too, Not Just Backwages

The Court held that an employer's duty to remit SSS contributions runs through the backwages period — with a 3% per month penalty from each contribution's due date.

Property

Sued for Ejectment by Someone You Say Is Dead: What a Death Certificate Proves

The Court held that an ejectment court may provisionally decide whether a party is alive or dead. A death certificate creates a presumption — a driver's license and the occupants' own filings overcame it.

Property

When the Deed of Sale Describes the Wrong Land

The Court upheld a sale where the deed named the wrong lot and canceled a later buyer's title. Buyers rely on boundaries and fences — and visible possession defeats a good-faith claim.

Labor

The ₱85 Metro Manila Wage Increase: What to Do If You Are Not Getting It

Wage Order NCR-27 raises the Metro Manila daily minimum to ₱780 in two tranches. Who is covered, how exemption actually works, and the double indemnity an employer owes for underpayment.