Legal Insights
Plain-language guides and case briefs on Philippine law — researched from the firm's law library of 184,000+ statutes, Supreme Court decisions, and agency issuances, and written so non-lawyers can understand and act on them.
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Ante-Nuptial Agreements: Waiving Rights to Property Acquired During Marriage
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how ante-nuptial agreements with complete separation of property can waive claims over properties acquired during marriage.
Writ of Possession After Foreclosure: Third-Party Claims in Philippine Mortgage Sales
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on writ of possession in mortgage foreclosures, explaining when third-party adverse claims can block eviction.
Writ OF Possession When Redemption Claims Collide With Ministerial Duty
Forcible Entry: Prior Physical Possession Prevails Over Claims of Ownership
Supreme Court clarifies that in forcible entry cases, prior physical possession—not ownership—determines who may seek ejectment.
No Immunity for Dishonest Acts: CSC Discretion Prevails in Suriaga v. Dela Rosa-Bala
Supreme Court affirms CSC's denial of immunity to fire officer who failed to substantiate claims against alleged fixer in exam irregularity case.
Conditional Sales and Default: When Unpaid Balances Void Property Claims
A buyer who fails to pay the balance in a contract to sell loses rights to the property, as the Supreme Court affirmed in Mandin-Trotin v. Bongo.
Seafarer Disability Claims: When the Company Doctor's Assessment Prevails
The Supreme Court clarifies when a company-designated physician's fitness-to-work assessment binds a seafarer, even if the seafarer's own doctor disagrees.
Death of the Accused Before Final Judgment Extinguishes Criminal Liability
The Supreme Court clarifies that an accused's death pending appeal extinguishes criminal liability and civil liability ex delicto, but not other civil claims.
Torrens Title Indefeasibility Protecting Registered Landowners From Delayed Claims
The Supreme Court affirms that Torrens titles become incontrovertible after one year, barring late claims against registered landowners.
Subrogation and Prescription: Insurers' Rights in Quasi-Delict Claims Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when prescription runs for insurers subrogated to insureds' quasi-delict claims, abandoning the Vector doctrine.
Quieting Title: Resolving Land Ownership Disputes From Erroneous Deeds of Sale
A Supreme Court ruling shows how an action to quiet title resolves overlapping land claims caused by erroneous deeds of sale and protects registered owners.
Foreign Nationals and Land Ownership: Constitutional Limits on Succession Rights
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that foreign nationals cannot own land or transmit rights through succession, affecting heirs' claims.
Seafarers Disability Claims Employers Duty TO Provide Timely Medical Assessment
Timely Action Required Prematurely Filed Disability Claims CAN BE Dismissed
Seafarers must wait for the company doctor's assessment or the 240-day period before filing disability claims. Learn from Guadalquiver vs. Sea Power.
Torrens Title vs. Possession: When a Registered Owner Prevails in Land Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when a Torrens title prevails over possession claims in accion publiciana cases, reaffirming the indefeasibility of registered land titles.
Seafarer Disability Claims: Accident vs Illness in Philippine Maritime Law
Learn how the Supreme Court distinguishes accident-based from illness-based seafarer disability claims, and why the third-doctor rule matters.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Are Corporate Officers Personally Liable in Labor Cases?
The Supreme Court clarifies when corporate officers can be held personally liable for labor claims, emphasizing the need for clear allegations and proof of bad faith.
Finality of Settlement Agreements Barring Future Claims Despite Quasi-Delict Allegations in Seafarer Death Cas
SC rules valid settlement agreements bar seafarers' heirs from filing quasi-delict claims after accepting death benefits.
Due Process and Land Title Reconstitution: Protecting Registered Owners' Rights
When a lost owner's duplicate title is reconstituted, the registered owner must be notified—even if another claims ownership. The Supreme Court explains why.
Seafarers' Rights: Overcoming Pre-Existing Conditions for Disability Claims
Pre-existing illness does not automatically bar a seafarer's disability claim. Learn the rules on work-relatedness, compensability, and the 120/240-day window.
Forest Charges and Tax Refunds: Jurisdiction and Prescription in Philippine Tax Law
A 2019 Supreme Court ruling clarifies that forest charges are internal revenue taxes, so refund claims must go to the CIR within two years.
Supreme Court Affirms Rape Conviction of Uncle Despite Defense Claims of Inconsistent Testimony
Explore how the Supreme Court upheld a rape conviction, relying on the victim's credible testimony and medical evidence over the defense's claims of inconsistency.
Seafarer Disability Claims: When the Third-Doctor Rule Does Not Apply
The Supreme Court clarifies when the mandatory third-doctor referral rule in seafarer disability claims does not apply, protecting seafarers' rights.
Seafarer Disability Claims: When the Company Doctor's Assessment Prevails
A look at Centennial Transmarine v. Sales on disability grading, the 120-day rule, and CBA vs POEA-SEC benefits.