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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Lease Extension Balancing Landlord Rights and Tenant Long-Term Occupancy
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when courts may extend a lease under Article 1687 and how to compute reasonable rent after expiration.
Res Judicata Bars Second Nullity Suit on Different Ground
A final denial of a marriage nullity petition bars a second suit, even on a different ground like lack of marriage license.
Balancing Property Rights: Reimbursement for Improvements on Leased Land
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on tenant's right to reimbursement for house built on leased land, offset against unpaid rent.
Possession vs Ownership: Choosing the Right Court Action for Property Disputes
Learn from a Supreme Court case why possession and ownership require different legal actions, and why choosing the wrong remedy can be fatal.
Foreshore Lease Preference: Riparian Rights vs. Reclamation in Philippine Land Law
Supreme Court ruling on whether a littoral owner retains preferential right to lease foreshore land that has been reclaimed by another applicant.
Breach of Parental Trust: Rape of a Minor and the Abolition of the Death Penalty
The Supreme Court affirms a father's qualified rape conviction but reduces the death penalty to reclusion perpetua under R.A. 9346.
Attorney Suspended for Failing to Account for Client Funds Withdrawn from Court
Lawyer suspended two years for withdrawing P255,000 in client rentals without accounting, violating the Code of Professional Responsibility.
Child Custody AND Habeas Corpus Protecting Minors IN Parental Disputes
Adoption Requires Clear Parental Consent Protecting Family Rights IN THE Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on adoption: biological parent's written consent is indispensable, and foreign documents must be authenticated.
Forum Shopping: Why Litigants Cannot Pursue the Same Claims in Different Courts
Philippine Supreme Court explains the prohibition on forum shopping and why litigants cannot pursue identical claims in different courts simultaneously.
Foreclosure on Multiple Properties: Mortgage Indivisibility and Writ of Possession in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine law handles foreclosure of multiple mortgaged properties in different locations and the rules on writ of possession.
Concurrent Jurisdiction IN Habeas Corpus Protecting Minors Welfare Beyond Territorial Limits
Just Compensation in the Philippines: Value Pegged at Time of Taking, Not Current Market Value
Philippine law pegs just compensation at the time of taking, not current market value. MIAA v. Rodriguez explains the rule.
When Government Takes Property Without Expropriation: Just Compensation Rules
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how to value property taken by government without expropriation proceedings, and when back rentals are due.
Why the Dispositive Portion of a Final Judgment Controls in Philippine Courts
A final judgment is immutable. The dispositive portion, not the body, controls. Learn the rule from Florentino v. Rivera.
Upholding Ethical Boundaries: Attorney-Client Privilege and Conflict of Interest in Disbarment Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when lawyers may be disciplined for representing conflicting interests, even across different cases and clients.
Agricultural Leasehold Tenants Rights vs Landowners Share Under Agrarian Reform
Supreme Court ruling on lawful lease rentals, tenant security of tenure, and limits on landowner shares under RA 3844 and RA 6657.
When the Prosecutor Files a Different Offense Than the Police: What the Supreme Court Says
The Supreme Court explains why a prosecutor may charge a different offense than what police initially identified—and why no second preliminary investigation is needed.
Acts of Lasciviousness Preliminary Investigation Sufficiency and Due Process Rights
Supreme Court clarifies when a preliminary investigation for one offense can support a different charge, and what due process requires.
When Separate Lawsuits Are Not Forum Shopping: The Rule on Splitting a Cause of Action
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when filing separate cases for different properties is not forum shopping or splitting a cause of action.
Res Judicata and Dismissal With Prejudice: When a Prior Case Bars a New Lawsuit
A voluntary dismissal with prejudice bars a later suit for the same property, even if the new case is styled differently.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: Clarifying Liability for Subsidiary Obligations
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a parent corporation may be held liable for its subsidiary's obligations, and when it cannot.
Meralco Billing Dispute: Tax Credit Assignments and Tampered Meter Claims
Supreme Court ruling on Meralco's interest charges on tax credit assignments and differential billing for alleged meter tampering.
Lessor's Breach and Lessee's Rights: Rental Credits and Possession in Philippine Lease Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies lessee rights when lessor breaches lease: rental suspension, stipulation pour autrui, and possession after unlawful dispossession.