Supreme Court: Bank Cannot Recover Funds Made Available Through Its Own Gross Negligence
In a case involving a prematurely cleared regional check, the Supreme Court ruled that a bank cannot invoke unjust enrichment when its own failure to follow basic banking safeguards was the proximate cause of the loss. What happens when a bank makes money available to a depositor because of its own mistake—and the depositor withdraws […]
Supreme Court Modernizes Notice of Dishonor Rules in B.P. 22 Cases
The Supreme Court has recognized modern methods of serving notices of dishonor in bouncing-check cases, including electronic means, while setting clearer requirements for proving that notice was properly served. The Supreme Court has issued an important ruling concerning prosecutions under Batas Pambansa Blg. 22, or the Anti-Bouncing Check Law, addressing one of the recurring evidentiary […]
Extradition in the Philippines: What the Law Says and Which Countries Have Extradition Treaties
The formal request by the United States to extradite Apollo Quiboloy has brought renewed attention to a legal process that many Filipinos know little about: extradition. In August 2026, the Philippine Department of Justice confirmed that it had received the United States’ formal extradition request involving Quiboloy and two other respondents. The DOJ said it […]
DUI Arrest in the Philippines: What Drivers Should Know About Their Rights
A DUI arrest can have serious legal consequences. But an arrest is not the end of the legal inquiry. The circumstances surrounding the traffic stop, the officer’s observations, the field sobriety tests, the use of a breath analyzer, and the manner in which the investigation was conducted may all become important in determining whether the […]
Supreme Court Upholds Psychological Violence Conviction in Marriage-License Withdrawal Case
The Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of a man for psychological violence under Republic Act No. 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, in a case involving his willful withdrawal of a marriage-license application after the woman became pregnant and the parties had publicly committed to marry. The Case […]
What Happens After You Are Arrested in the Philippines? A Step-by-Step Guide
Being arrested can be frightening and confusing. Many people do not know what happens after the police take them into custody, what rights they have, or what they should do to protect themselves. An arrest, however, does not mean that a person has already been found guilty of a crime. Philippine law provides constitutional and […]
How Does Bail Work in the Philippines?
Being arrested and detained can be frightening, especially when the accused and the family do not know what happens next. One of the first questions families commonly ask is: “Can the accused be released on bail?” In many criminal cases, the answer is yes. But bail is not simply a matter of paying money and […]
Friday Night Arrests and Bail in the Philippines: Why Weekend Timing Can Matter
An arrest late on a Friday can create a practical problem that many people do not anticipate: the accused may be legally entitled to bail, but completing the documentary requirements for release can become more difficult when government and barangay offices are closed for the weekend. This can become particularly important when an arrest follows […]
