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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Tax Credit Certificates: Good Faith Transferees Protected Against Fraudulent Issuance
Supreme Court rules transferees in good faith and for value of tax credit certificates cannot be made to pay taxes again when the certificates are later canceled for fraud.
SALN Good Faith vs Intent to Deceive: Lessons from Atty. Cruz Case
A lawyer's suspension for dishonesty in the SALN context, and the difference between good faith and intent to deceive.
Genuine Sale vs Equitable Mortgage: When a Deed of Sale Stands in Land Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when a deed of sale is genuine and not an equitable mortgage, and how buyers in good faith are protected in land disputes.
Good Faith Exception Absolving Public Officials From Misconduct Charges IN THE Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how good faith absolves public officials from administrative misconduct charges, explained in plain language.
Double Sale of Immovable Property: Good Faith as the Decisive Factor in Land Ownership Disputes
Learn how good faith determines ownership in double sale cases under Philippine law, and what buyers must do to protect their property rights.
Double Sale OF Registered Land Good Faith Registration Prevails
Double Sale of Land: Priority of Registered Title in Good Faith
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on double sale of land: who owns the property when the same parcel is sold twice.
Double Sale Doctrine, Good Faith Registration, and Forged Deeds in Philippine Land Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when the double sale rule applies and why good faith registration cannot cure a forged deed in land disputes.
Builders in Good Faith: Resolving Land Ownership Disputes and Improvement Rights
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies rights of builders in good faith when land ownership is disputed, applying Civil Code articles on accession.
Good Faith Prevails: Protecting Public Officials From Graft Charges in Discretionary Decisions
Supreme Court clears DOH official of graft for following PADPAO rates over lowest bid, affirming good faith in discretionary public decisions.
Safeguarding Public Officers Good Faith AND THE Anti Graft LAW
Explore the PCGG v. Sandiganbayan ruling on res judicata, act of state doctrine, and the duty of public officers to act promptly on requests.
Presidential Authority and Government Reorganization Scope and Limitations
The Supreme Court affirms the President's broad power to reorganize executive departments, citing constitutional control, statutory grants, and good faith requirements.
Possession AND Good Faith Understanding Property Rights IN THE Philippines
Navigating Libel, Good Faith, and Fair Comment in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains when good faith and fair comment can defeat a libel charge, using a policyholder's published notice as the case study.
Perjury Charges and Probable Cause: The Role of Good Faith in Affidavit Statements
A look at Soriano v. Cabais on why good faith defeats perjury charges and the proper remedy for Ombudsman dismissals.
Good Faith in Property Transactions: Protecting Innocent Purchasers Under the Torrens System
When a notarized special power of attorney turns out forged, who keeps the land? The Supreme Court explains good faith under the Torrens system.
Defective Land Titles: Good Faith Purchasers and Torrens System Fraud in the Philippines
When a land title traces to a fictitious source, even good faith buyers lose protection. Learn the rule from a 2007 Supreme Court case.
Double Sale in the Philippines: How Good Faith and Prior Knowledge Decide Property Rights
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on double sale: a second buyer who registers first but knows of the first sale acts in bad faith and loses.
Protecting Your Property Investments: Understanding Buyer in Good Faith in Philippine Real Estate Law
Learn how Philippine courts treat "buyer in good faith" and banks' duty of diligence in real estate transactions, based on a Supreme Court ruling.
Personal Liability of Public Officials: Good Faith as a Defense Against COA Disallowances
When can a public official be personally liable for COA disallowances? The Supreme Court clarifies the good faith defense in Salva v. COA.
When Government Officials Are Personally Liable for Audit Disallowances
The Supreme Court explains when public officials may be held personally liable for disallowed government expenditures, and when good faith approval is enough.
Lease Agreements vs Good Faith Builders: Rights Over Property Improvements
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when lessees can claim reimbursement for improvements—and why Article 1678, not 448, governs lease disputes.
Government Incentives When Must Employees Repay Disallowed Benefits
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when government employees must refund disallowed incentive benefits, distinguishing good faith recipients from approving officers.
Interest on Loans and the Necessity of Written Agreements for Enforceability
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on double sales, good faith, and why written contracts matter for property and loan enforceability.