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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Reasonable Doubt Prevails Safeguarding Rights IN Drug Possession Cases
Death pending appeal extinguishes criminal liability in drug cases. The Supreme Court clarifies the effect of an accused's death on convictions.
Acquisitive Prescription and Double Sales: When Long-Term Possession Confirms Ownership
A Supreme Court ruling on how prior possession and good faith determine ownership in double sales of land.
Unlawful Possession and the Vital Role of Evidence in Drug Offenses
How the Supreme Court weighed search warrant evidence, witness credibility, and denial defenses in a drug possession conviction.
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.
Reconveyance Action Is Imprescriptible When Owner Remains in Possession
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when an action for reconveyance of property does not prescribe—key exception for owners in possession.
Luga v. Arciaga: Land Ownership, Tolerance, and the Limits of Possession Claims
The Supreme Court clarifies when tolerated occupancy defeats a claim of ownership by adverse possession in Luga v. Arciaga.
Unlawful Detainer in the Philippines: Why Possession Beats Ownership in Ejectment Cases
In ejectment cases, physical possession matters more than ownership. Learn the rule from Barrientos v. Rapal.
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.
No Intent, No Crime: Illegal Possession of Counterfeit Money in the Philippines
Philippine law requires intent to use for counterfeit money possession to be a crime. Learn the rules from a landmark Supreme Court ruling.
Circumstantial Evidence and Robbery With Homicide: Lessons from People v. Uy
The Supreme Court explains when circumstantial evidence suffices to convict for robbery with homicide, and why unexplained flight and possession of stolen goods matter.
Torrens Title Integrity Resolving Ownership Disputes Arising From Erroneous Land Inclusion
The Supreme Court clarifies that Torrens title ownership alone does not determine possession rights in ejectment cases involving corporate factions.
Prior Physical Possession Is Key in Forcible Entry Cases: Abad v. Farrales
Learn why prior physical possession, not ownership, decides forcible entry cases under Philippine law, based on Abad v. Farrales.
Gaps in Chain of Custody Acquit Accused in Shabu Possession Case
SC reverses a drug conviction where police gaps in marking, inventory, and custody of seized shabu cast doubt on the corpus delicti.
Chain of Custody and Illegal Drug Possession: Ensuring Integrity of Evidence
A Supreme Court ruling shows why broken chain of custody can lead to acquittal in illegal drug possession cases under RA 9165.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: When Gaps Lead to Acquittal
Philippine Supreme Court acquits drug possession defendant over broken chain of custody, explaining the strict integrity rules under RA 9165.
Chain of Custody Gaps Lead to Acquittal in Drug Possession Case
Philippine Supreme Court acquits drug possession accused due to broken chain of custody, emphasizing strict compliance with RA 9165 procedures.
Land Registration: Proving Ownership and Possession for Public Land Titles
Learn the strict requirements for registering public land under PD 1529, including proof of possession since June 12, 1945.
Possession and Ownership: Understanding the Writ of Possession in Foreclosure Cases in the Philippines
Learn how forum shopping can derail foreclosure disputes in the Philippines, as shown in Asia United Bank v. Goodland Company, Inc.
Navigating Land Registration: Open Possession and Imperfect Titles in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when possession of alienable public land can ripen into a registrable title under P.D. 1529.
Double Sale of Property: Understanding Legal Ownership and Good Faith in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies double sale rules under Article 1544, emphasizing possession in good faith determines ownership when no registration occurs.
Agrarian Dispute vs Recovery of Possession: Jurisdiction in Philippine Land Cases
When does a land dispute fall under DARAB jurisdiction? The Supreme Court clarifies the line between agrarian disputes and ordinary recovery of possession cases.
Ejectment Suits and Agrarian Disputes: Possession vs. Ownership in Philippine Courts
When does an ejectment suit become an agrarian dispute? The Supreme Court clarifies DARAB jurisdiction over possession cases.
When Illegal Dismissal Claims of Probationary Employees Fall Outside DARAB Jurisdiction: Del Monte Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies DARAB jurisdiction over agrarian disputes, distinguishing recovery of possession cases from tenurial controversies under RA 6657.
Navigating Drug Cases: Entrapment, Possession, and Chain of Custody Explained
Learn how Philippine courts distinguish entrapment from instigation and why chain of custody matters in drug cases, based on a 2011 Supreme Court ruling.