Philippine law explained in plain language
Read what the law says and how it works in everyday situations. Article pages quote the official text; every page explains it in simple words, with examples.
Which laws can I read?
Which legal topics can I explore?
- Annulment in the Philippines: The Complete Guide to Ending a MarriageHow annulment, nullity, legal separation and recognition of a foreign divorce work under the Family Code: grounds, deadlines and key court rulings.
- Arrest, Detention and Bail in the PhilippinesWhen police can arrest without a warrant, the 12-18-36 hour limit on detention, when bail is a right, how bail is computed, recognizance and probation.
- Contracts and Obligations: Basic Rules of the Civil CodeContract law in the Philippines: when a contract binds, void and verbal contracts, demand and delay, cancellation, co-makers, collateral and installments.
- Crimes Against Persons: Killing and Injuries ExplainedCrimes against persons under the Revised Penal Code: parricide, murder, homicide, physical injuries and firing a gun, with penalties, bail and damages.
- Crimes Against Property: Theft, Robbery, Estafa and MoreCrimes against property in the Philippines: robbery, theft, qualified theft, estafa, usurpation of land and malicious mischief, and the rule for relatives.
- Criminal Liability Basics: Stages, Participants and PenaltiesHow criminal liability works in the Philippines: felonies, stages of a crime, principals and accomplices, self-defense, penalties and when liability ends.
What do people ask about the law?
- What Are the Grounds for Annulment in the Philippines?The six grounds for annulment under Article 45 of the Family Code, the only four kinds of fraud that count, and the five-year deadlines to file.
- How Much Does an Annulment Cost in the Philippines?No law sets a price for an annulment. What the cost is made of, why a psychologist is no longer required, and when PAO clients do not pay filing fees.
- Can I Remarry After an Annulment or Legal Separation?After annulment or nullity, yes, but only once the judgment is final and recorded. After legal separation, no: you are still married. The bigamy risk.
- Illegally Dismissed: What Can You Get? Backwages and ReinstatementIllegally dismissed in the Philippines? The Labor Code gives reinstatement and full backwages. Courts may order separation pay instead, plus 6% interest.
- Do I Need to Render 30 Days When I Resign?Do you need to render 30 days when you resign? The Labor Code asks for one month written notice. What happens if you leave early, and what you still get.
- How Much Is Bail in the Philippines and How Is It Computed?The judge fixes bail in each case. See the DOJ formula prosecutors use, the factors the court weighs, where to pay cash bail and when the money comes back.
- When Can Police Arrest You Without a Warrant?Police or a private person may arrest without a warrant only in three cases under Rule 113. See what they are, what Veridiano v. People says about tips.
- Can You Go to Jail for Unpaid Debt in the Philippines?No one can be jailed for an unpaid debt under the 1987 Constitution. What a lender can lawfully do: demand, barangay, court, and when a crime is different.
- Who Inherits If There Is No Will in the Philippines?With no will, the Civil Code decides: children and spouse first, then parents, then siblings and relatives up to the fifth degree, and last the State.
- LTO vs MMDA: Who Can Apprehend and Ticket You?LTO vs MMDA jurisdiction: the LTO keeps every driver's record, the MMDA enforces traffic rules in Metro Manila, and city enforcers have limits.
- Scammed Online or Through an E-Wallet: What the Law SaysReport to your bank or e-wallet at once. Under the AFASA law it can hold the money up to 30 days, and it may have to refund you even without a conviction.
- Online Lending App Harassment: What the Law SaysAbusive collection is banned by law, lenders answer for their collectors, and texting your contacts can be a privacy violation. What you can do and where.
- Free Legal Help in the Philippines: PAO and Barangay ConciliationWhere to get free legal help in the Philippines: what the Public Attorney's Office does by law, and when a dispute must go to the barangay Lupon first.
What do legal terms mean?
- Absolute Community of Property: MeaningAbsolute community of property is the default regime for marriages without a prenup since August 3, 1988. What becomes shared and what stays yours.
- Accessory to a Crime: MeaningAn accessory knows a crime was committed and helps only after it: by profiting, hiding evidence or harboring the offender. Articles 19 and 20 explained.
- Accomplice: MeaningAn accomplice helps commit a crime by previous or simultaneous acts but is not a principal. Article 18 of the Revised Penal Code and the lower penalty.
- Acts of Lasciviousness: MeaningActs of lasciviousness is a lewd act done to another person by force or intimidation, or to one who is unconscious. Article 336 and when RA 7610 applies.
- Adultery: Meaning in Philippine LawAdultery is a married woman's sexual intercourse with a man not her husband; he is liable if he knew she was married. Article 333 and who may file.
- Affidavit of Desistance: MeaningAn affidavit of desistance is a sworn statement that the complainant no longer wants to pursue a case. Why courts give it little weight after conviction.
Which Supreme Court rulings are explained?
- AAA v. BBB (2018): Affair Abroad and RA 9262AAA v. BBB explained: a wife in the Philippines may file a VAWC case for anguish caused by her husband's affair abroad, where she lives and suffers it.
- Abbott Laboratories v. Alcaraz (2013): Standards for ProbationAbbott v. Alcaraz explained: when a probationary employee is told the standards for becoming regular, and why breaking company rules cost the employer.
- Acharon v. People (2021): Denial of Support Under RA 9262Acharon v. People explained: failing or being unable to give support is not by itself a VAWC crime. The denial must be willful, to hurt or to control.
- Agabon v. NLRC (2004): Valid Dismissal Without NoticeAgabon v. NLRC explained: a dismissal for a just cause stays valid even without the two notices, but the employer must pay the worker nominal damages.
- Aldovino v. Gold and Green Manpower (2019): OFWs Dismissed on a WhimAldovino v. Gold and Green Manpower explained: OFWs let go without cause or notice, why their quitclaims did not bar the case, and full unexpired pay.
- Aquino v. Aquino (2021): Nonmarital Grandchild May InheritAquino v. Aquino explained: a child whose parents never married may inherit from a grandparent by representation, if filiation is proven.
How do legal options compare?
- Absolute Community vs Conjugal Partnership of GainsAbsolute community vs conjugal partnership of gains, side by side: which marriage has which, what is shared, what stays yours, sales and division at death.
- Adultery vs Concubinage: Why the Rules DifferAdultery vs concubinage under the Revised Penal Code: who commits each, what must be proved, the penalties for the spouse and the partner, and who files.
- Annulment vs Legal Separation in the PhilippinesAnnulment vs legal separation under the Family Code, side by side: grounds, who files, deadlines, property, children, inheritance and remarriage.
- Attempted, Frustrated and Consummated Crimes ComparedThe three stages of a felony under Article 6 of the Revised Penal Code: what each means, the lower penalties, and why theft is never frustrated.
- BP 22 vs Estafa: Bouncing Check Cases ComparedBP 22 vs estafa for a bounced check: what each punishes, notice of dishonor, the 5-day and 3-day rules, penalties, prescription, bail and probation.
- BPO vs TPO vs PPO: VAWC Protection Orders ComparedBPO, TPO and PPO under RA 9262 side by side: who issues each, where to apply, how long it lasts, what it can order, fees, and what happens if violated.
Which reference tables are available?
- Barangay Conciliation Timeline (Katarungang Pambarangay)Barangay deadlines: summons the next working day, 15 days of mediation, then a pangkat that meets within 3 days and has 15 days (plus 15) to settle.
- Duration of Penalties Under the Revised Penal CodeArresto menor lasts 1 to 30 days, arresto mayor 1 month and 1 day to 6 months, prision correccional 6 months and 1 day to 6 years. Periods for each.
- Estafa Penalty by Amount in the Philippines (RA 10951)Estafa penalty by amount: 2 months and 1 day to 6 months up to ₱40,000, rising to 20 years at most. Estafa by bouncing check has its own, heavier scale.
- Family Code Amendments: List of LawsLaws that amended the Family Code: EO 227 (Arts. 26, 36, 39), RA 6809 (age of majority 18), RA 8533, RA 9255 (father's surname), RA 9858, RA 10572.
- Intestate Shares Philippines: Who Gets WhatWho inherits when there is no will: shares of children, the spouse, parents, illegitimate children, siblings and the State under the Civil Code rules.
- Labor Claim Deadlines (Prescription)Labor money claims prescribe in 3 years. An appeal from a Labor Arbiter to the NLRC is due in 10 calendar days, and from a DOLE Regional Director in 5.
General information, not legal advice. For your case, ask a lawyer, the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) or the agency.
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