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.
Good Faith vs Actual Knowledge: Resolving Land Disputes in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on finality of judgments, petitions for relief, and banks' duty of diligence in land mortgage disputes.
Mergers and Documentary Stamp Tax: Clarifying Tax Obligations in Corporate Restructuring
The Supreme Court clarifies when documentary stamp tax applies to property transfers in corporate mergers under the National Internal Revenue Code.
No-Build Zones and National Permits: What Aquino v. Malay Means for Developers
The Supreme Court ruled that a DENR permit does not override local no-build zone ordinances. Here's what developers must know.
Maceda Law Rights of Installment Buyers in Real Estate Contracts
The Supreme Court explains how the Maceda Law protects installment buyers, including the required cash surrender value before contract cancellation.
Robbery With Homicide: Intent to Rob Must Precede the Killing
The Supreme Court clarifies that robbery with homicide requires intent to rob before the killing; otherwise, only homicide may be proven.
Good Faith vs Due Diligence: Unmasking the Innocent Purchaser Doctrine
The Supreme Court clarifies that buyers of registered land must go beyond the title when circumstances raise suspicion. Learn the limits of the innocent purchaser defense.
Breach of Trust as Just Cause for Termination: Protecting Employer Confidence
When an employee's dishonesty erodes the employer's trust, dismissal may be justified under Article 282 of the Labor Code.
Upholding Search Warrants in Copyright Infringement Cases: Balancing Rights and Due Process
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may quash search warrants in software piracy cases, and when they must uphold them.
Indirect Contempt and Due Process: Why Hearings Matter in Ejectment Cases
The Supreme Court explains when non-appearance at a preliminary conference justifies judgment without further hearing, and what this means for due process.
Exclusive Ownership vs Successional Rights: Clarifying Property Claims in Inheritance Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when heirs acquire rights to property and how titles describe ownership in inheritance disputes.
Lease Agreements and Inheritance: What Tenants Should Know About Property Transfers
A lessee's occupancy does not create a vested right to buy property. Learn the limits of tenant rights when ownership changes.
Restitution After Judgment Modification: Fairness in Executed Judgments
When the Supreme Court reduces damages after properties have been sold at execution, how are parties made whole? The Eserjose case explains restitution rules.
Breach of Public Trust: Official Position Cannot Shield Criminal Acts
Philippine Supreme Court affirms conviction of municipal treasurer for graft and estafa, ruling public office cannot shield criminal acts.
Possession Follows Ownership When a Writ of Execution Implies Possession of Land
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: a writ of execution may place a winning party in possession of land even if the judgment does not expressly say so.
Stored Goods Destroyed by Fire: When Negligence Overrides Fortuitous Events
Learn when storage facilities are liable for goods destroyed by fire, and how the Supreme Court applied res ipsa loquitur in ICTSI v. Chua.
Land Registration Under Section 14(2): The Patrimonial Property Requirement
The Supreme Court clarifies when alienable public land becomes private property subject to acquisition by prescription under PD 1529.
Mortgage in Good Faith: Banks vs Unregistered Land Sales in the Philippines
When does a bank lose protection as a mortgagee in good faith? The Supreme Court clarifies the rule on unregistered land sales.
Quieting Title Over Public Land: Why Ownership Rights Are Required
The Supreme Court clarifies that an action to quiet title fails without legal or equitable ownership, especially over public land.
When an Agent's Mortgage Signed in Own Name Does Not Bind the Principal
A mortgage signed by an agent in a personal capacity, without indicating agency, binds only the agent, not the principal.
Extrinsic Fraud and Annulment of Judgment: What Litigants Must Know
The Supreme Court clarifies that a lawyer's negligence is not extrinsic fraud, and explains the strict requirements for annulling a final judgment under Rule 47.
Estate Inventory Disputes: Probate Courts' Provisional Powers on Inclusion of Properties
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling on probate courts' authority to provisionally determine ownership for estate inventory inclusion.
Reconstitution of Lost Titles: Proving Loss of Owner's Duplicate Under RA 26
Supreme Court clarifies evidence needed to reconstitute a lost or destroyed certificate of title under Republic Act No. 26.
Writ of Possession After Foreclosure: When the Surplus Must Be Returned
Philippine Bank of Communications v. Yeung clarifies when a writ of possession issues after foreclosure and how sale surpluses are handled.
Prescription and Laches in Deed of Sale Cases: Lessons from Sanchez v. Sanchez
When can a deed of sale be challenged in court? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on prescription and laches in Sanchez v. Sanchez.