In a recent news item, a “man who had pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter stemming from a crash near Tampa, Fla., on Christmas Day 2007 now denies causing the crash that killed three of the four people in the vehicle he hit.” Here’s the interesting part — he sued the estate of the other vehicle’s [...]

In a first for the Philippines, the Supreme Court today provided a live webcast or video streaming in its website (sc.judiciary.gov.ph) of a pending case. The live coverage is for the “Maguindanao Massacre cases“. The SC earlier issued the guidelines applicable only (pro hac vice) to the live broadcasting by radio and television of the [...]

JLP Law is hiring Associates. Send your resume, with cover letter and transcript of grades, to this address or through email. Thank you.

(This is a statement issued by the members of the Faculty of the College of Law, University of the Philippines. Reproduced from the UP Law website. What do you think? Your comments below.) Maintain Fealty to the Rule of Law: Let the Next President Appoint the Next Chief Justice

JLP Law is in the process of hiring new associates. Interested applicants may send their applications (resume,  transcript of grades and covering letter addressed to the managing partner) to this address (see lower part of the webpage). Thank you.  (Note: Position already filled.)

I’m not sure if other professionals are required to render free service to the community. Lawyers, on the other hand, are now required to provide free legal aid service. The Supreme Court recently issued the Rule on Mandatory Legal Aid Service. As provided under Bar Matter No. 2012, all practicing lawyers must render a minimum [...]

There’s an alleged plan to impeach Chief Justice Reynato Puno. Reports say it could be linked to a pending disqualification case of Olivia Paras against Negros Oriental Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong and/or the move for Charter Change. The Chief asked politicians to spare the Supreme Court from “partisan manipulation“.

You may be aware that out of the 15 Supreme Court justices, 12 were appointees of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. There’s nothing wrong with that, considering that the President has the constitutional duty to appoint Supreme Court justices.

In the previous post on the extension of the compliance period (to 1 January 2009) for Bar Matter 1922, Alpha_Mike and Orbil inquired about the rule applicable to new lawyers. This is covered by MCLE Governing Board Order No. 1, s. 2008, which pertinently provides:

The Supreme Court earlier issued Bar Matter No. 1922, requiring all lawyers to indicate the number and date of issue of their MCLE Certificate of Compliance, and if they could not do so by 25, August 2008, it will result to the dismissal of the case and the expunction of the pleadings from the records. [...]