Temere Animus

Contracts are binding agreements, but ambiguities can lead to misinterpretation and disputes . The Supreme Court has consistently held that unclear contractual terms must be construed strictly against the party that drafted them , ensuring fairness and balance in legal agreements. Key Legal Doctrines on Contractual Interpretation 📌 Strict Interpretation Against the Drafter ✔ Courts prioritize fairness by holding the party responsible for ambiguity liable for misinterpretations. ✔ This prevents large corporations or dominant parties from unfairly manipulating contract terms . 📌 Extrinsic Evidence May Be Used to Clarify Ambiguous Contracts ✔ If a contract’s language is unclear , courts may examine external evidence such as the subject matter, relations between parties, and surrounding circumstances . ✔ Relevant Case: Heirs of Amparo del Rosario v. Santos (108 SCRA 43, 1981) 📌 Preference for Less Onerous Interpretations ✔ When ambiguity exists, courts prefer an inter...

The 1987 Philippine Constitution prescribes different voting requirements for various governmental decisions. These voting thresholds ensure checks and balances in legislative and executive functions, preventing unilateral actions and fostering democratic consensus. Majority Vote Requirements 📌 Election of Legislative Leaders ✔ Senate President and Speaker of the House – Elected by a majority vote of all respective Members (Sec. 16(1), Art. VI). 📌 Quorum in Congress ✔ A majority of each House constitutes a quorum for legislative business (Sec. 16(2), Art. VI). 📌 Commission on Appointments Decisions ✔ The Commission rules by a majority vote of all its Members (Sec. 18, Art. VI). 📌 Constitution of Commission on Appointments ✔ The Commission is formed within 30 days from the organization of Congress and may convene at the call of its Chairman or a majority of all its Members (Sec. 19, Art. VI). 📌 Granting Tax Exemptions ✔ No law granting tax exemption shall b...

Citation: 739 SCRA 735 Contracts serve as binding agreements between parties, outlining rights, obligations, and conditions . The Supreme Court has established key doctrines governing contract interpretation, ensuring clarity, fairness, and adherence to legal standards . Definition and Legal Requisites of a Contract 📌 Definition ✔ A contract is a meeting of minds between two persons where one binds himself to give something or render a service (Article 1305, New Civil Code). 📌 Essential Requisites (Article 1318, New Civil Code) ✔ Consent – Agreement between contracting parties. ✔ Object Certain – Clear subject matter of the contract. ✔ Cause – The obligation that creates rights between the parties. Stages in Contract Formation Contracts pass through three distinct phases : 📌 Preparation (Negotiation Phase) ✔ Parties express interest and negotiate terms , culminating in an agreement. 📌 Perfection (Birth of the Contract) ✔ When parties agree upon all essential...

In credit agreements, acceleration clauses allow creditors to demand full payment upon default, ensuring timely collection. The Supreme Court case of KT Construction Supply, Inc. vs. Philippine Savings Bank (G.R. No. 228435) clarifies the validity and enforcement of acceleration clauses in financial contracts. Understanding Acceleration Clauses in Loan Contracts 📌 Definition ✔ An acceleration clause requires the borrower to pay the full balance of a loan before its original due date upon default or other specified conditions . 📌 When It Applies ✔ Non-payment of principal or interest ✔ Failure to apply insurance premiums ✔ Violation of loan terms 📌 Legal Recognition ✔ Courts have long upheld the validity of acceleration clauses, stating they produce enforceable legal effects . ✔ Relevant Case: General Motors Acceptance Corp v. Shuey (243 Ky. 74) Case Summary: KT Construction Supply, Inc. vs. Philippine Savings Bank Facts: On October 12, 2006 , KT Construction ...

Citation: 796 SCRA 675 at 683 - 688 Criminal convictions must be supported by clear, compelling, and moral certainty in evidence . The Supreme Court has consistently ruled that weaknesses in prosecution cases—such as coerced confessions, unreliable witnesses, and procedural violations—can justify acquittal . Key Legal Doctrines for Acquittal 📌 Extrajudicial Confessions Obtained During Custodial Investigation ✔ Confessions made without legal counsel or in violation of Miranda rights are inadmissible in court. ✔ Relevant Cases: People v. Nicandro (141 SCRA 289, 1986) ; People v. Santiago (147 SCRA 141, 1987) 📌 Failure to Establish Corpus Delicti ✔ The physical evidence proving the crime must be presented —mere allegations are insufficient. ✔ Relevant Case: People v. Mendiola (235 SCRA 116, 1994) 📌 Weak or Contradictory Testimony from Government Witnesses ✔ If witness accounts contain irreconcilable inconsistencies , the accused cannot be convicted. ✔ Relevant Cases...

The writ of habeas corpus is a fundamental legal remedy designed to protect individual liberty against unlawful detention. It applies not only to cases of illegal confinement but also to disputes over rightful custody of minors . Scope and Application of Habeas Corpus 📌 Illegal Detention and Custody Disputes ✔ The writ is available in cases where a person is deprived of liberty or where custody is wrongfully withheld (Demaisip v. Cabcaban, 713 SCRA 13, 2014 ). 📌 Jurisdiction and Filing ✔ Petitions for habeas corpus may be filed in any proper Regional Trial Court (RTC) within the judicial region where enforcement is sought (Tujan-Militante v. Cada-Deapera, 731 SCRA 194, 2014 ). 📌 No Service of Summons Required ✔ Unlike ordinary civil cases, habeas corpus petitions do not require service of summons (Id. ). 📌 Where to File a Habeas Corpus Petition ✔ Applications may be filed before the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, or RTC (In the Matter of the Petition for Habea...

The execution of a judgment pending appeal is an exception to the general rule that only final judgments may be executed . Under Section 2, Rule 39 of the Rules of Court , courts may grant discretionary execution only if “good reasons” justify immediate enforcement. Legal Requirements for Execution Pending Appeal 📌 Strict Conditions Must Be Met ✔ A motion must be filed by the prevailing party. ✔ Notice must be given to the adverse party. ✔ “Good reasons” must be clearly stated in a special order after a hearing . 📌 Jurisdiction of the Trial Court ✔ The RTC retains jurisdiction until all appeal periods lapse or appeals are perfected. ✔ If a motion for reconsideration is unresolved , the RTC may still act on execution requests . 📌 Limitations on Discretionary Execution ✔ Courts must ensure fairness —execution pending appeal cannot be used to create inequity . ✔ Personal circumstances (such as age or health of claimants) must be case-wide, not individual hards...