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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Ejectment Actions: Registered Title Prevails Over Unregistered Claims
In ejectment cases, a registered owner's title prevails over unregistered claims. The Supreme Court explains in Spouses Beltran v. Nieves.
Encroachment Disputes and Land Ownership Rights: A Philippine Supreme Court Guide
The Supreme Court clarifies how registered owners can recover encroached land through accion reivindicatoria, demolition, and damages.
Upholding Torrens Title Registered Owners Rights VS Claims OF Prior Possession
Torrens Title Prevails Over Unregistered Deed in Possession Dispute
Supreme Court rules registered owners have better right to possession than occupants holding unregistered deeds, even notarized ones.
Torrens Title Prevails Over Unregistered Deed in Possession Dispute
Supreme Court clarifies that a Torrens title gives the registered owner a better right to possession than an unregistered deed of sale.
Easement of Right of Way: Actual Knowledge Binds Even Without Registration
A registered owner cannot ignore an existing right of way he knows about, even if the easement is not annotated on the title.
Tax Sales and Due Process: Why Registered Owners Must Be Notified in Philippine Property Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on tax sales, due process, and the registered owner's responsibility in property taxation.
Clarifying Ownership When a Property Title Is Held in Trust
A Supreme Court ruling explains how courts determine whether a titled property is truly owned by the registered owner or held in trust for another.
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.
Overcoming Laches Establishing Ownership Despite Delays In Contested Land Titles
Explore how laches can bar registered owners from recovering land despite delays, and why failing to implead indispensable parties is fatal.
Laches vs Torrens Title: When Delay Overrides Ownership Rights
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains when laches, not just prescription, can bar a registered owner from recovering possession of titled land.
When Forged Land Titles Meet Innocent Buyers: Barstowe Philippines Corp. v. Republic
The Supreme Court resolved a clash between two sets of Torrens titles over the same Quezon City land, ruling on which registered owner held the better right.
Breaking Down Land Ownership Disputes When Hearsay Clouds Real Estate Claims
A Supreme Court ruling explains why hearsay evidence fails in property disputes, and how Torrens titles protect registered owners.
The Critical Role of Indispensable Parties in Philippine Estate Disputes
Learn how the Supreme Court protects Torrens titles against laches claims, and why registered owners must act promptly.
Protecting Land Titles: Good Faith Purchasers and Forgery in Property Sales
A Supreme Court ruling explains why a forged deed must be proven, not presumed, and how a registered owner's acts can protect an innocent buyer's title.
Possession, Donation, and Ejectment: What the Sevilla Florencio Ruling Teaches
A Supreme Court ejectment ruling shows why an unregistered deed of donation cannot defeat the registered owner's heirs and how possession cases are decided.
Reconveyance Actions and Prescription: Heirs of Pomposa Saludares v. Court of Appeals
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when reconveyance actions prescribe and why registered owners can keep indefeasible titles after 10 years.
Ejectment Suits: Registered Ownership vs. Co-Ownership Claims in Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that in unlawful detainer cases, registered ownership prevails over co-ownership claims, but only for possession purposes.
Perfecting a Sale vs. Transfer of Ownership: Forged Documents and Land Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when ownership transfers in a sale, and why forged documents cannot defeat a registered owner's title.
Prescription and Laches Do Not Bar Registered Owners' Rights Under Torrens Title
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains why prescription and laches cannot defeat a registered owner's rights under the Torrens system.
Defective Summons Protecting Landowners Rights IN Property Disputes
Learn how defective summons by publication voided a default judgment nullifying land titles, protecting registered owners' property rights.
Tax Sale Notice: Protecting Property Rights in Philippine Tax Delinquency Sales
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on tax sale notice requirements, protecting registered owners' property rights in delinquent real property auctions.
Laches in Philippine Property Law: How Delaying Your Claim Can Cost You
A 1997 Supreme Court ruling shows how laches can bar a registered owner from recovering property after unreasonable delay. Learn the rules.