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.
Rescission Rights When Developers Fail to Deliver on Property Sales
Buyers who fully paid for a lot can rescind the contract and recover the property's market value when the developer fails to deliver title.
Theft in Telecommunications: Defining International Simple Resale and the Limits of Search Warrants
The Supreme Court clarifies that international simple resale constitutes theft under Philippine law and explains the rules on search warrants.
Reconstitution of Title: The Critical Requirements of Loss and Good Faith
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies strict requirements for judicial reconstitution of lost or destroyed Torrens titles under RA 26.
Reconstitution of Lost Titles: Why Original Documents Matter for Property Ownership
Philippine Supreme Court explains strict requirements for reconstituting lost land titles under RA 26, emphasizing original documents over substitutes.
Personal Guarantees and Piercing the Corporate Veil: Lessons from Crisologo v. People
When corporate officers sign personal guarantees, they may face personal liability. The Supreme Court clarifies the limits in Crisologo v. People.
Loan Restructuring vs Foreclosure: Borrower Rights in the Philippines
When does a pending loan restructuring stop a bank from foreclosing? The Supreme Court explains borrower rights and limits.
Military Jurisdiction Retirement Does NOT BAR Court Martial Proceedings
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on military jurisdiction, retirement, and court martial proceedings explained for lay readers.
Acquisitive Prescription vs Torrens Title: Proving Land Registration Claims in Court
The Supreme Court clarifies when possession of public land can ripen into private ownership and registration under the Property Registration Decree.
Balancing Development and Ecology: The Imperative of Environmental Impact Assessments in Reclamation Projects
The Supreme Court underscores the mandatory nature of environmental impact assessments and consultations in reclamation projects, balancing development with ecological protection.
Judicial Accountability: Judge Fined for Gross Ignorance of the Law Over Inaction on Pending Case
A judge was fined P10,000 for gross ignorance of the law after failing to act on a contempt petition for years, underscoring judicial accountability.
Escheat Proceedings: Banks Must Notify Depositors Before Dormant Funds Are Transferred to the State
Philippine Supreme Court rules on banks' duty to notify depositors before dormant funds are escheated to the state, protecting depositor rights.
Corporate Veil Piercing: Directors Held Liable for Fraudulent Misrepresentation in Syndicated Estafa
Supreme Court ruling on when corporate directors can be held criminally liable for estafa despite the separate juridical personality of corporations.
NEA Supervisory Power Prevails in Resolving Electric Cooperative Disputes
Supreme Court rules NEA has primary jurisdiction over electric cooperative board disputes, not regular courts.
Land Registration: Proving Possession for Imperfect Titles Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies what evidence proves open, continuous possession for land registration under the Public Land Act and Property Registration Decree.
Bouncing Checks and Civil Liability: Why You Can't Sue Separately for a BP 22 Violation in the Philippines
Learn why a bounced check can lead to estafa prosecution, not just BP 22, and what this means for your civil remedies.
Judicial Ethics: Sheriff Dismissed for Accepting Payoffs in Landmark Philippine Ruling
Supreme Court dismisses deputy sheriff for accepting kickbacks from a newspaper publisher in exchange for judicial notice assignments, reaffirming strict ethics for court personnel.
Nogales v. People: When Obscene Files in Computers Are Forfeited Even Without Conviction
Supreme Court rules hard disks containing obscene materials are forfeited and destroyed under P.D. 969 even if criminal case is dismissed.
When Void Government Contracts Still Get Paid: Quantum Meruit Explained
Philippine Supreme Court explains when contractors can recover payment for void government contracts through quantum meruit, citing DPWH v. Quiwa.
Census Is King: Priority Rights Yield to Actual Occupancy in Philippine Housing Projects
In ZIP housing projects, the official census and tagging determine who gets the lot—not priority certificates or prior possession claims.
When Religious Laws Prevail: Bigamy and Muslim Personal Laws in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains how the Code of Muslim Personal Laws affects bigamy charges, protecting valid Islamic marriages and divorces.
Sandiganbayan Jurisdiction: Private vs Public Corporations in the Philippines
When does the Sandiganbayan have jurisdiction over corporate officers? Learn from the Morales ruling on private vs public corporations.
Good Faith and Torrens System Limits to Protection for Purchasers of Registered Land in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on emancipation patents, Torrens titles, and the limits of good faith protection for land purchasers.
Delayed Payment Claims and COA Audit Powers: The Lotrim Construction Ruling
The Supreme Court affirms COA's broad audit powers and the strict application of procedural rules in government contract disputes.
Exclusive Franchises and Public Utilities: Constitutional Limits in the Philippines
The Supreme Court struck down Section 47 of PD 198 as unconstitutional, reaffirming that exclusive franchises for public utilities are prohibited by the Constitution.