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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Intestate Succession and Property Rights: Clarifying Inheritance Shares Under the Old Civil Code
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when heirs truly own inherited property, and why a parent's lifetime transfer can defeat a compromise agreement's promised shares.
Disqualification of Votes: Ensuring Electoral Integrity Through Proper Comelec Procedures
When can a disqualified candidate's votes be voided? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on disqualification, stray votes, and succession.
Succession and Disqualification: Determining the Lawful Mayor in Philippine Elections
When a winning mayoral candidate is disqualified after the election, the vice mayor succeeds—not the second placer. Here's why.
Acquisitive Prescription vs Succession: How Heirs Keep Land Ownership in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court explains when prescription and laches cannot defeat inheritance rights over family land.
Succession Rights in Agricultural Leases: Landowner's Choice Prevails
In agricultural leaseholds, the landowner chooses the successor-tenant among the deceased lessee's heirs; heirs cannot self-appoint. SC explains.
Succession to Tenancy Rights: Surviving Spouse Takes Priority Under Agrarian Reform
Learn how Philippine agrarian law prioritizes the surviving spouse in tenancy succession and what this means for land ownership and redemption rights.
Succession to Tenancy Rights: Surviving Spouse's Priority Under Agrarian Reform
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a tenant's surviving spouse has priority to succeed to tenancy rights when the landowner fails to choose a successor within one month.
Succession to Tenancy Rights: Surviving Spouse Takes Priority Under Agrarian Reform
When a tenant dies, who inherits the tenancy? The Supreme Court clarifies the order of preference under Section 9 of RA 3844.
When Courts, Not the SEC, Decide Succession and Corporate Veil Cases
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when inheritance claims against a corporation belong in regular courts, not the SEC.
The People vs the President: Defining the Limits of People Power and Presidential Immunity in the Philippines
The Supreme Court's landmark ruling in Estrada v. Desierto clarifies resignation, presidential succession, and immunity from suit under the 1987 Constitution.
Navigating Inheritance for Distant Relatives in the Philippines: Understanding the Rule of Proximity
Learn how Philippine intestate succession works for distant relatives, including the rule of proximity and who inherits when no immediate family exists.
When Heirs Can Question a Void Marriage After Death: The Niñal Rule
Heirs may challenge a deceased person's void marriage for successional rights. The Supreme Court explains the limits and rules.
When a Foreign Divorce Affects Inheritance Rights in the Philippines
Explaining Quita v. Court of Appeals on foreign divorce, citizenship, and inheritance rights of a surviving spouse in Philippine succession cases.
Foreign Divorce and Inheritance Rights in the Philippines: Citizenship and Marital Validity
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on foreign divorce, citizenship, and inheritance rights of a surviving spouse in intestate succession.
Heirs and Nephews: Who Inherits When a Relative Dies Without a Will
Philippine intestate succession rules determine whether a nephew or more distant relatives inherit from a deceased person's estate.
Vote Buying and Disqualification: Nolasco vs. COMELEC Explained
What happens when a winning candidate is disqualified for vote buying? The Nolasco case clarifies succession and election law.
Succession and Labor Claims: Can Employee Claims Survive the Death of an Employer
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether employee money claims survive an employer's death and who bears liability.
Election Protests and Succession: Ensuring Electoral Integrity After a Candidate's Death
The Supreme Court rules that election protests survive a candidate's death, ensuring the people's true choice prevails.