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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Real Party in Interest Rule: Standing in Land Dispute Resolutions
The Supreme Court clarifies that an administrative agency that resolves a land dispute lacks standing to appeal, as it is not a real party in interest.
Deposit Refunds Lease Obligations AND Interest Rates Under Philippine LAW
Attorney Disqualification When Client Loyalty Trumps Informal Advice
A lawyer who gives informal advice can still form a client-lawyer relationship; representing opposing interests leads to disbarment.
The State's Obligation to Pay Interest on Delayed Just Compensation in Expropriation Cases
Philippine law requires the State to pay just compensation with legal interest when payment is delayed in expropriation cases. Learn the rules.
Moral Turpitude and Electoral Disqualification: The Teves Case Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies when a conviction for a prohibited interest involves moral turpitude, using the Teves cockpit case as guide.
Dividends Follow the Shares in Ill-Gotten Wealth Recovery
Supreme Court rules dividends and interests follow ownership of recovered ill-gotten shares, even if not expressly stated in the dispositive portion.
OIL Deregulation AND THE Limits OF Judicial Review Balancing Economic Policy AND Public Interest
Custody Battles: When Judicial Discretion Meets Legal Mandates in Child Protection Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on a judge's discretion in child custody disputes under RA 9262, balancing legal mandates with the child's best interest.
Corporate Inspection Rights: Balancing Stockholder Access and Corporate Interests in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when a corporation may deny a stockholder's inspection request and the criminal consequences of wrongful refusal.
When Late Appeal Briefs Are Allowed: Substantial Justice Over Technical Rules
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when late filing of an appellant's brief may be excused in the interest of substantial justice.
Subic Bay Freeport: When Legal Interest Justifies Intervention in Import Duty Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies the scope of legal interest for intervention in challenges to import duties on used motor vehicles in the Subic Bay Freeport.
Documentary Stamp Tax: Passbooks for High-Interest Savings Accounts Are Taxable
The Supreme Court ruled that passbook-evidenced high-interest savings accounts are taxable certificates of deposit under the documentary stamp tax law.
Standing to Sue for Reversion of Public Lands: The Real Party in Interest Rule
Who may sue to cancel titles over foreshore land? The Supreme Court clarifies that only the State, through the Solicitor General, may bring reversion actions.
Unconscionable Interest Rates THE Supreme Courts Intervention IN Equitable Mortgages
Due Process and Public Interest: When Technicalities Yield in Land Disputes
A disbarment case clarifies when a lawyer's honest errors in land reconstitution cases are not professional misconduct.
Finality OF Judgment Upholding Interest Awards Despite Ambiguous Wording IN Court Decisions
Redemption Rights Interest Computation CUT OFF In Foreclosure Sales
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies that in DBP foreclosure redemptions, interest stops accruing at the auction date.
Annulment of Judgment: Why Only Real Parties-in-Interest Can Challenge Reconstituted Titles
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling on who may file annulment of judgment in land reconstitution cases and the importance of real party-in-interest status.
Lis Pendens and Due Process: Protecting Registered Owners in Property Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when a notice of lis pendens may be annotated, balancing a claimant's interest against a registered owner's right to due process.
Equitable Reduction of Interest: Protecting Borrowers from Unconscionable Loan Terms
The Supreme Court affirms courts' power to reduce unconscionable interest and penalty rates, protecting borrowers from excessive loan charges.
Unconscionable Interest Rates: Protecting Borrowers From Excessive Loan Costs
The Supreme Court affirms that monthly interest rates of 5% to 7% are unconscionable and may be reduced to 12% per annum.
Substantial Evidence in Administrative Cases: Upholding Due Process and Fairness
Learn how the Supreme Court upheld HLURB findings in Sta. Lucia Realty v. Uyecio, clarifying substantial evidence, contract cancellation, and refund interest.
Good Faith vs Public Interest: How the Supreme Court Resolves Philippine Land Title Disputes
A 2008 Supreme Court ruling shows why a buyer's claim of good faith cannot defeat the State's right to reclaim fraudulently acquired public land.
Bouncing Checks and Iniquitous Interest: When a Civil Case Cannot Stop a Criminal Prosecution
Learn when a dispute over unconscionable interest rates can—and cannot—suspend criminal prosecutions for bouncing checks under BP 22.