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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Boundary Disputes and Ejectment: Clarifying the Proper Legal Action in Philippine Property Law
When a property conflict involves boundary lines, ejectment is not the right remedy. Learn what action to file.
Torrens Title vs Mortgage Resolving Property Possession Disputes in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on which Torrens title prevails when property claims overlap, tracing validity to the mother title.
Dismissal of Case: Navigating Forum Shopping and Indispensable Parties in Property Disputes
What happens when two property cases are filed separately? The Supreme Court clarifies forum shopping, consolidation, and indispensable parties.
Mortgage in Bad Faith: Banks' Duty of Diligence in Verifying Land Titles
When a bank accepts a mortgage without fully investigating suspicious facts on the property, it acts in bad faith and loses protection as an innocent mortgagee.
How Marital Status Determines Property Ownership in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling explains how marital status affects property ownership, co-ownership rules, and the validity of selling property without spousal consent.
When a Notary Lacks Authority: How Defective Notarization Can Void Property Transfers
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on defective notarization, judicial partition, and why notarized documents require a validly commissioned notary public.
Reconveyance vs Annulment of Judgment: Protecting Real Property Rights in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when a complaint is for reconveyance rather than annulment of judgment, protecting rightful owners of registered land.
Reconveyance vs Annulment of Judgment: Lessons from Toledo v. Court of Appeals
The Supreme Court clarifies when a property dispute is a reconveyance action, not an annulment of judgment, and the rights of buyers in possession.
Forged Deeds and Ejectment: Protecting Co-Ownership Rights in Family Property Disputes
When a forged deed transfers family property, can the fraudulent titleholder evict co-owner heirs? The Supreme Court says no.
Dividing Assets in Void Marriages: Co-Ownership vs. Conjugal Partnership
The Supreme Court clarifies that property acquired during a void marriage is divided under co-ownership rules, not conjugal partnership.
Upholding Workers Rights Resolving Labor Disputes Despite Prior Agreements
Supreme Court clarifies when unauthorized use of company property justifies dismissal under Philippine labor law.
Mergers and Documentary Stamp Tax: Clarifying Tax Exemptions for Corporate Restructuring
Supreme Court clarifies that real property transfers pursuant to a merger are not subject to documentary stamp tax under the NIRC.
Standing to Sue, Heirs' Rights, and Property Disputes in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on land registration, heirs' rights, and the standing of the Republic to oppose property claims.
Sleeping on Your Rights: Laches and Prescription in Property Disputes
The Supreme Court explains when a property claim fails due to laches and prescription, even for registered land.
Forged Signatures and Property Rights: How Laches and Prescription Can Defeat a Land Claim
A Supreme Court ruling shows why delay can destroy a landowner's claim, even when fraud is alleged, and how laches and prescription bar stale property suits.
Land Registration and Laches: Strict Proof Required in Vega-Era Property Disputes
A Supreme Court ruling shows that registered landowners who sleep on their rights for decades can lose their claim through laches and extinctive prescription.
Demolition Orders and Due Process: Key Lessons from the Alangdeo Case
The Supreme Court invalidated a demolition order in Alangdeo v. City Mayor of Baguio, reinforcing due process and legal safeguards for property owners.
Forgery vs Good Faith: Protecting Registered Land Owners in Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when buyers of forged deeds can claim good faith protection and when registered owners keep their title.
Upholding Finality: Supreme Court Reaffirms Requirements for Valid Motions for Reconsideration in Property Dis
Learn how the Supreme Court protected the finality of judgments and clarified the limits of appellate review in a property mortgage dispute.
Oil Depot Relocation Balancing Public Safety AND Property Rights IN Manila
A look at how Philippine courts weigh public safety concerns against private property rights in urban redevelopment cases.
Writ of Possession, Third-Party Claims, and Redemption Rights in Property Disputes
A writ of possession cannot evict third parties holding property adversely to the judgment obligor. Explaining Sio Tiat King v. Lim.
The Impact of a Lost Title: Protecting Property Rights and Innocent Purchasers
A Supreme Court ruling on lost titles clarifies when a court can issue a new owner's duplicate and how innocent purchasers are protected.
Taxing Times: Government Instrumentalities and Real Property Tax Exemptions in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when government instrumentalities like airport authorities are exempt from local real property taxes.
Contributory Negligence in Property Disputes: Balancing Rights and Responsibilities
When adjoining landowners cause damage to each other, Philippine courts weigh contributory negligence in awarding damages. Learn from the Vergara v. Sonkin case.