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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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.
Land Sale Contracts in the Philippines: Ensuring Object Certainty and Navigating Legal Heirs
A Supreme Court ruling on forged land sales, object certainty, and the rights of legal heirs in Philippine property disputes.
Friar Lands and Faulty Signatures: When Government Neglect Jeopardizes Land Ownership
The Supreme Court's Manotok ruling shows how documentary gaps in friar land sales can undermine even long-standing property claims.
Lump Sum vs. Unit Price in Land Sales: The Del Prado v. Caballero Rule
Philippine land sale disputes often hinge on lump sum versus unit price contracts. The Supreme Court's ruling in Del Prado v. Caballero clarifies the rules.
In Land Sales, Survey Duty Prevails Over Payment Deadlines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a seller must survey land before demanding payment, and when rescission is improper.
Unregistered Land Sales: Why Registration Matters in Ownership Disputes
A Supreme Court ruling explains why an unregistered deed of sale cannot bind third parties in property disputes over unregistered land.
Estoppel in Land Sales: Upholding Agreements Despite Lack of Written Authority
Philippine Supreme Court rules on estoppel in land sales where an agent lacked written authority, protecting buyers who relied on the seller's silence.
Good Faith and Land Sales: Protecting the True Landowner in Philippine Property Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that Torrens titles are not proof of ownership, and that a Filipino buyer can cure a flawed land sale from an alien.
Lump Sum Land Sales: Boundaries vs. Area Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on land sales, tenancy, and why property boundaries matter more than area in lump sum transactions.
Breach of Contract Upholding Rescission Rights in Land Sales
When a buyer defaults on a land sale agreement, the seller may validly rescind. The Supreme Court explains the limits of a buyer's right to demand execution of a contract.
Contractual Obligations: When Agreed Interest Rates in Land Sales Are Upheld
The Supreme Court upheld a 24% annual interest rate in an installment land sale, ruling that parties are bound by their contract absent any legal prohibition.
Voiding Land Sales: The Five-Year Restriction on Free Patents in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on the five-year ban on selling free patent lands, and what it means for landowners and buyers.
Unjust Enrichment and Contractual Obligations: Lessons from Limaco v. Shonan Gakuen
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on void land sales, down payment refunds, and unjust enrichment in Limaco v. Shonan Gakuen.
Land Transfer Knowledge vs Registration in Agrarian Reform: Heirs of Hidalgo
Why unregistered land sales before PD 27 do not exempt property from Operation Land Transfer coverage.
Unregistered Land Sales and Agrarian Reform: The Limits of Ownership Transfer
When do unregistered property sales fail against agrarian reform coverage? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on land transfers and PD 27.
Upholding Tenants Redemption Rights Darab Jurisdiction Over Agricultural Land Sales
A Supreme Court ruling on the finality of judgments clarifies when appeals in forcible entry cases must be filed and why late petitions cannot revive a case.
Upholding Land Sales Good Faith Purchasers Protected Despite Family Disputes
Public Land Sales: Prior Occupancy vs Public Auction Under R.A. 730
When can a prior occupant of public land claim preference over a public auction sale? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules under R.A. 730 and the Public Land Act.
Security of Tenure Prevails: Land Sales Do Not Override Tenant Rights Under Agrarian Reform
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how land sales cannot override tenant rights and security of tenure under agrarian reform laws.
Alien Land Ownership and Pari Delicto: When Title Reverts to the State
Explaining the pari delicto doctrine in alien land sales, and when the State—not the vendor—may pursue reversion of title.
Unregistered Sale vs Attachment Priority OF Rights IN Land Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on unregistered land sales, laches, and ownership rights in property disputes explained in plain language.
Forgery in Land Sales: Upholding Final Judgments Against Claims of Extrinsic Fraud
A Supreme Court ruling explains why a buyer who admitted a deed of sale was forged cannot later overturn the final judgment by claiming extrinsic fraud.
When Arbitration Clauses Do Not Bind Third-Party Buyers in Land Sales
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when arbitration clauses in contracts bind only parties, not third-party land buyers.