Philippine law guides library
Practical explainers with Article/Rule cites, FAQs and links into ocoai tools. Not legal advice — always open the official text.
Legal processes
How to file a small claims case in the Philippines
A.M. No. 08-8-7-SC small claims filing steps, venue, forms and final judgment.
How to file an NLRC labor complaint
SENA, RAB venue, position paper and 10-day appeal under Labor Code Art. 229.
Annulment and nullity of marriage in the Philippines
Family Code Arts. 35–38, 36, 45–47: void vs voidable marriages and filing periods.
Extrajudicial settlement of estate Philippines
Rule 74 settlement by agreement when the decedent left no will and no debts.
How to file an ejectment case (unlawful detainer / forcible entry)
Rule 70 ejectment in first-level courts: one-year period, barangay, judgment.
Preliminary investigation in the Philippines
Rule 112: when required, counter-affidavit in 10 days, resolution.
Illegal dismissal under the Labor Code
Arts. 294, 297–299: security of tenure, just and authorized causes, reliefs.
Twin-notice rule for employee dismissal
Art. 292(b) and King of Kings v. Mamac: two notices and a real chance to explain.
How to register a corporation with the SEC
Revised Corporation Code steps: name, AOI/bylaws, GIS, beneficial ownership.
Protection orders under the Anti-VAWC Act
R.A. 9262 BPO, TPO, PPO: who may file and where.
Counter-affidavit in a preliminary investigation
How to prepare a Rule 112 counter-affidavit within 10 days.
Writ of habeas corpus in the Philippines
Rule 102: when the writ lies and how petition is filed.
How B.P. 22 bouncing-check cases work
Batas Pambansa Blg. 22 elements, notice of dishonor, and venue basics.
Small claims vs regular civil action
When to use A.M. 08-8-7-SC instead of an ordinary Rule 2 complaint.
Labor-only vs legitimate job contracting
Art. 106 Labor Code and DOLE rules: when contracting is prohibited.
Solo parent leave and benefits under R.A. 8972
Solo Parents Welfare Act leave and flexible work — verify current amendments.
Workplace sexual harassment under R.A. 7877 and Safe Spaces Act
Employer duties, complaint paths, and Safe Spaces Act workplace coverage.
How notarization works under the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice
Personal appearance, competent evidence of identity, jurat vs acknowledgment.
Appeal from RTC to the Court of Appeals
Rule 41/42 timelines and modes — verify which rule fits your case.
Motion for reconsideration basics
Rule 37 (civil) and cognate criminal rules: when MR is required and periods.
Writ of Amparo (Philippines)
Protects life, liberty and security against unlawful acts or omissions. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Writ of Habeas Data (Philippines)
Compel deletion, correction or blocking of unlawfully obtained or erroneous data affecting privacy, life, liberty or security. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Katarungang Pambarangay conciliation
Many disputes between residents of the same city or municipality require barangay conciliation before court. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
R.A. 3019 Anti-Graft basics
Lists corrupt practices of public officers; forum depends on offense and salary grade. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Cybercrime Prevention Act overview
Cyber offenses including cyber libel — procedure is specialized. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Trademark basics (IP Code)
Registration, Declaration of Actual Use and renewal under the IP Code. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Copyright basics in the Philippines
Literary and artistic works protected from creation; fair use factors in the IP Code. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Lease under the Civil Code
Period, rent, repairs and interplay with Rule 70 ejectment. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Real estate mortgage basics
Record the REM to bind third persons; foreclosure may be judicial or extrajudicial. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Intestate succession overview
Compulsory heirs and concurrent shares when there is no will. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Donations under the Civil Code
Formalities depend on value and whether the gift is movable or immovable. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Agency and powers of attorney
Arts. 1868+; Art. 1878 lists acts needing special powers. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Partnership basics
Juridical personality when formal requisites are met; liability differs from corporations. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Contract of sale essentials
Consent, determinate subject matter, price certain; double-sale priority rules. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
How obligations are extinguished
Payment, loss, condonation, confusion, compensation, novation. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Arrest without warrant (Rule 113)
Sec. 5 limits warrantless arrests to in flagrante, hot pursuit, and escapee cases. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Bail under Rule 114
Bail is a matter of right or discretion depending on the penalty and stage. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Search warrants (Rule 126)
Judge personally determines probable cause; describe place and items particularly. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Provisional remedies overview
Attachment, injunction, receivership, replevin, support pendente lite. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Best evidence rule (2019)
Original document rule and electronic evidence under the 2019 Evidence amendments. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Hearsay rule basics
Hearsay is inadmissible unless an exception applies; JAR answers may still be objected to. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Data Privacy Act basics for lawyers
Secs. 11–13, 16, 20–21 for firm files and vendors. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
CPRA Canon 4 competence and diligence
Competent service, diligence, client updates, lifelong learning — including AI review. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Civil Code Art. 1308 mutuality of contracts
Validity or compliance cannot be left to one party’s will. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Civil Code Art. 1229 penalty reduction
Courts may equitably reduce iniquitous penalties. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Family Code Art. 36 psychological incapacity
Void marriage ground; see Tan-Andal v. Andal, G.R. No. 196359 (11 May 2021). Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
GIS deadline (RCC Sec. 25)
File the General Information Sheet within 30 days after the annual election/meeting. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Ease of Doing Business timelines
3 / 7 / 20 working days for simple / complex / highly technical transactions. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Government procurement (R.A. 12009)
Direct acquisition and small-value procurement thresholds — confirm IRR figures. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
MCLE compliance for PH lawyers
Complete required MCLE units each compliance period unless exempt. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Notarial commission basics
Petition the Executive Judge, post bond, keep a notarial register. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Local taxation basics
Transfer tax, business tax and real property tax within LGC ceilings. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Foreign ownership overview
Land and certain industries remain nationality-restricted; check the Negative List. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Writ of Kalikasan
Environmental writ for damage of large significance across territories. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Rent control overview
When a rent-control law is in force, deposits and increases for covered units are limited. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
SIM Registration Act overview
SIMs must be registered; personal data still under R.A. 10173. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Child custody overview
Best interests of the child guide custody disputes. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Domestic administrative adoption overview
NACC administrative adoption is now the main domestic path. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Securities Regulation Code basics
Registration of securities and antifraud rules. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Negotiable Instruments Law basics
Negotiability requirements; interplay with B.P. 22 on checks. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Insurance Code basics
Insurable interest, concealment, notice of loss. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Condominium Act basics
Unit titles plus undivided interests in common areas. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Financial rehabilitation overview
Court-supervised rehabilitation and liquidation of juridical debtors. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
AMLA basics for lawyers
Covered persons and reporting — privilege issues need specialist advice. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Certification election basics
Workers may petition for certification elections to pick a bargaining agent. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Overseas employment overview
OFW processing runs through government channels; illegal recruitment is a separate crime. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Agrarian reform basics
Agrarian disputes often go to DARAB, not ordinary courts. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
VAT overview
VAT on sales of goods/services and importation unless exempt or zero-rated. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Expanded withholding tax basics
Certain income payments require withholding by the payor. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Court e-filing overview
Many courts use electronic filing — follow the governing circular for cut-offs and still-required paper copies. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
When to seek the Public Attorney’s Office
Indigents may qualify for PAO representation in covered cases. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
ADR and arbitration overview
Special ADR rules encourage mediation and arbitration with limited court intervention. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Barangay Protection Order guide
Immediate barangay-level protection in VAWC cases. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Philippine immigration overview (honest gaps)
Visa classes change with BI rules; ocoai does not invent CA 613 cites when absent from its DB. Official-source pointers for students and practitioners.
Templates
Demand letter template (Philippines)
Sample demand letter structure plus tips before small claims or collection suit.
Affidavit of loss template Philippines
When you need a notarized affidavit of loss for IDs, titles, checks, or gadgets.
Special power of attorney (SPA) template
Civil Code Arts. 1878–1879: acts that need a special power.
Deed of absolute sale template (land)
Core clauses for a DOAS plus tax checkpoints (DST, transfer tax; CGT verify).
Quitclaim and release template (labor)
Why quitclaims are scrutinised and what a careful release should contain.
Board resolution template (corporation)
RCC board action: quorum, secretary's certificate, SPA to sign.
Acknowledgment receipt template
Simple proof of payment or document turnover for PH transactions.
Promissory note template
Civil Code essentials for a clear PN before collection or small claims.
Employment contract checklist (PH)
Probation Art. 296, just causes, and clauses that get flagged.
Judicial affidavit template checklist
A.M. 12-8-8-SC Secs. 2–4: 5-day filing, contents, lawyer attestation.
Calculators & money guides
Separation pay calculator (Philippines)
Art. 298–299 formulas for redundancy, retrenchment and disease.
13th-month pay in the Philippines
P.D. 851 guidelines: 1/12 of basic salary earned in the calendar year.
Service incentive leave (Art. 95)
Five days SIL after one year of service; commutation and exclusions.
Estate tax under the NIRC
Sec. 84 6% rate and Sec. 86 deductions — confirm consolidated text.
Capital gains tax on real property — verify rates
NIRC CGT on capital assets; ocoai refuses to invent unsourced percentages.
Reglementary periods and Rule 22
How weekends and holidays move filing deadlines.
Holiday pay under Labor Code Art. 94
Regular holiday pay for covered employees.
Probationary employment (Art. 296)
Maximum six months; standards known at hiring.
Bar exam
ocoai for Firms
ocoai for Firms: labor practice
NLRC tools, twin-notice, separation pay, citation-safe research.
ocoai for Firms: litigation practice
Court format, citation annex, JAR and deadline builders.
ocoai for Firms: corporate practice
RCC resolutions, GIS deadlines, Civil Code/RCC contract flags.
ocoai for Firms: real estate practice
Deeds, DST/transfer tax helpers, title notes.
ocoai for Firms: tax practice
Estate and BIR protest deadlines with honest gaps.
Also read: AI policy for PH law firms · ocoai vs Clio · Best legal AI tools 2026