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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Perfecting Land Titles Through Continuous Possession Since June 12, 1945
A Supreme Court ruling affirms that tax declarations, a survey plan, and witness testimony can prove open, continuous possession of land since June 12, 1945.
Altering Tax Declarations: The Uriarte Case on Undue Injury Under Anti-Graft Law
A municipal assessor altered tax declaration entries to favor his father's land, leading to a conviction for violation of Section 3(e) of R.A. 3019.
Proving Land Ownership in the Philippines: Tax Declarations and Cadastral Surveys in Quieting Title Cases
Learn how tax declarations, cadastral surveys, and possession determine ownership in Philippine land disputes, based on a Supreme Court ruling.
Tax Declaration vs. Deed of Sale: Proving Land Ownership in the Philippines
A tax declaration annotation is not proof of land ownership. Learn what documents legally establish title under Philippine law.
Possession vs Ownership: How Tax Declarations and Evidence Resolve Land Disputes
A Supreme Court ruling explains how tax declarations and evidence of possession resolve land disputes, and why paper title alone may not win the case.
Due Process and Property Rights: When Notice of Legal Action Is Crucial
A Supreme Court ruling on administrative due process, notice, and property rights in tax declaration cancellations.
Just Compensation in Expropriation: What Republic v. Ker Teaches About Property Valuation
The Supreme Court clarifies how just compensation is determined in eminent domain cases, emphasizing fair market value over tax declarations.
Upholding Land Ownership: The Significance of Continuous Possession and Tax Declarations in Property Disputes
Explore how continuous possession and tax declarations resolved a property ownership dispute in Tabuso v. Court of Appeals (G.R. No. 108558).
Torrens Title Prevails Challenging Land Ownership Based on Prior Possession
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how a registered Torrens title defeats claims of ownership based on prior possession, tax declarations, and long occupancy.
Land Classification and Agrarian Reform Zoning Maps Prevail Over Tax Declarations
Supreme Court rules zoning maps and land use plans, not tax declarations, determine CARP coverage. Learn the key principles.
Acquisitive Prescription: When Possession Becomes Ownership Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court explains when possession ripens into ownership through acquisitive prescription, and why tax declarations alone do not prove title.
How Tax Declarations and Possession Solidify Property Rights in Philippine Land Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains when tax declarations prove ownership and how adverse possession cures defective titles.
Philippine Land Registration: Why Imperfect Titles Need Perfect Proof
A Supreme Court ruling on land registration shows why tax declarations and possession alone cannot confirm imperfect titles over public land.