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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When Bank Officers Face Dismissal for Breach of Trust: The Cruz v. BPI Case
A bank assistant manager's dismissal for approving fraudulent dollar transactions is upheld by the Supreme Court as valid breach of trust.
Breach of Bank Obligations: Understanding Trust Agreements in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court's ruling on PLDT v. ETPI clarifies when courts can enforce judicially approved compromise agreements and the limits of arbitration clauses.
Bank Officer Liability for Fraudulent Export Transactions: The Dy Case
When can a bank officer be held solidarily liable for fraud? The Supreme Court explains conspiracy and approval of irregular transactions.
Mortgage Without HLURB Approval: Buyer Protection in Condominium Sales
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a mortgage lacking HLURB approval is void only against the unit buyer, not the developer and bank.
Bank Officer Liability for Fraudulent Export Transactions: The Dy Case
Supreme Court ruling on bank officer liability for approving fraudulent export transactions with non-negotiable bills of lading.
Mortgage on Condominium Land Void Without HLURB Approval: PBCom v. Pridisons
Supreme Court rules mortgages on land intended for condominium projects need HLURB approval under PD 957, protecting buyers over banks.
Claims Against a Deceased's Estate: Quasi-Contracts and Rule 86 Explained
When must a claim against a deceased person's estate be filed in estate settlement proceedings? The Supreme Court clarifies in Metrobank v. Absolute Management.
Just Compensation for Agrarian Reform Land: What Land Bank v. Costo Teaches
The Supreme Court affirms that courts, not agencies, have the final say on just compensation for agrarian reform land.
Redundancy Programs Balancing Business Needs AND Employee Rights IN THE Philippines
Understand Philippine redundancy rules through Morales v. Metrobank: valid termination requires good faith, fair criteria, proper notice, and separation pay.
Constructive Dismissal When Reassignment Becomes Termination
When a bank replaced an employee before offering a new assignment, the Supreme Court ruled it was constructive dismissal, not valid management prerogative.
Mortgagee in Good Faith Doctrine Protects Banks Despite Simulated Property Sales
Philippine Supreme Court rules banks can retain mortgage rights even when mortgagors' titles trace back to simulated sales, if bank acted in good faith.
Injunction Against Bank Foreclosure: When Borrowers Cannot Stop the Sale
Supreme Court explains when courts may issue injunctions to stop extrajudicial foreclosure, and why defaulting borrowers cannot rely on disputed interest rates.
Bank Liability for Altered Checks and Employee Misconduct: Lessons from Westmont Bank v. Dela Rosa-Ramos
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when banks are liable for altered checks and negligent employees, and how depositor contributory negligence affects damages.
Banks Duty TO Depositors VS Third Party Claims Navigating Conflicting Interests
Trust Receipts vs Ordinary Loans: When Debt Restructuring Does Not Erase Criminal Liability
Philippine National Bank v. Soriano clarifies when restructuring a trust receipt loan does not extinguish criminal liability for estafa under PD 115.
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.
Central Bank Independence vs. Contractual Obligations: Resolving Disputes Over Government Securities
The Supreme Court rules that the Bangko Sentral cannot adjudicate ownership disputes over government securities, and regular courts must resolve them.
Bad Faith in Unregistered Land Sales and Trust Disputes: Belle Corp. v. De Leon-Banks
When can a buyer of unregistered land be sued for bad faith? The Supreme Court clarifies pleading rules in trust and property disputes.
CBA Loan Benefits vs Bank Policy: When Management Rules Violate the Agreement
SC rules on when a bank's "no negative data bank" policy for employee loans violates the existing CBA. Learn the limits of management prerogative.
Corporate Merger and Garnishment: Surviving Corporation's Liability for Pre-Existing Obligations
When banks merge, the surviving corporation inherits garnishment obligations of the absorbed bank. The Supreme Court explains why.
Due Process in Employee Dismissal: The Two-Notice Rule and Employer Obligations
Learn the two-notice rule in Philippine labor law and how the Supreme Court applied it to probationary employees in Carvajal v. Luzon Development Bank.
Dragnet Clauses and Foreclosure: Defining the Limits of Mortgage Security in the Philippines
A bank cannot inflate a foreclosure redemption price using a dragnet clause. The Supreme Court explains the limits of mortgage security.
Bank Negligence vs Depositor Responsibility: Who Bears the Brunt of Fraud
Learn how Philippine courts balance bank negligence against depositor responsibility in fraud cases, and what this means for your rights.
Stare Decisis in Real Estate Disputes: When a Prior Ruling Binds Later Bank Cases
The Supreme Court applies stare decisis to dismiss a bank's reconveyance case, ruling that a prior finding of a void warehousing agreement binds all similar cases.