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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When Banks Can Rely on Clean Titles: Mortgagee in Good Faith Explained
The Supreme Court explains when a bank that accepts a mortgage on a clean title becomes a mortgagee in good faith, even if the title later proves defective.
Credit Card Suspension: When Banks Must Answer for Negligence and Damages
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on credit card suspension, bank negligence, and cardholder rights to moral and exemplary damages.
Mortgage Disputes, Good Faith, and Final Judgments in Philippine Foreclosure
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on mortgage foreclosure, good faith of banks, and the finality of judgments in property disputes.
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.
Burden OF Proof IN Deficiency Claims Banks Duty TO Substantiate Foreclosure Amounts
Mutuality of Contracts: When Banks Cannot Unilaterally Raise Interest Rates
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on Silos v. PNB explains why unilateral interest rate hikes violate the mutuality principle in loan contracts.
When a Writ of Possession Is Ministerial: The Sombilon Case on Foreclosure and Lawyers' Purchase Limits
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts must issue writs of possession after foreclosure and whether lawyers may buy property from banks.
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.
Mutuality of Contracts: Banks Cannot Unilaterally Impose Interest Rate Hikes on Loans
Philippine National Bank v. Manalo clarifies that banks cannot unilaterally raise loan interest rates without borrower consent under Article 1308 of the Civil Code.
Protecting Homebuyers: PD 957 Prevails Over Bank Mortgages in Subdivision Sales
Supreme Court rules banks must honor PD 957 protections for subdivision buyers, even when properties are mortgaged to secure developer loans.
Breach of Fiduciary Duty Banks Must Uphold Transparency in Trust Accounts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on Land Bank v. Oñate clarifies banks' fiduciary duties, transparency obligations, and liability for undocumented trust account withdrawals.
Breach of Contract and Banks' Liability: Understanding Hold Out Clauses in Deposit Agreements
When can a bank freeze a depositor's account? The Supreme Court explains the limits of "hold out" clauses in deposit agreements.
Employer Negligence and the Duty of Supervision: Retirement Benefits Case
Supreme Court ruling on when banks can deduct retirement benefits for employee negligence, and the limits of supervisory liability.
Foreclosure Validity: Banks Can Foreclose Despite Disputed Loan Agreements
Supreme Court ruling on when banks may foreclose despite disputed interest rates, and the legal interest that applies after default.
Mutuality of Contracts When Banks Unilaterally Impose Interest Rates
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when banks cannot unilaterally impose interest rates, and the legal interest that applies.
Monetary Board's Bank Receivership Power Upheld for Public Protection
Supreme Court affirms Monetary Board's power to place banks under receivership without prior hearing, citing the "close now, hear later" doctrine.
Outsourcing and Union Rights: Balancing Business Prerogative with Collective Bargaining Agreements
The Supreme Court clarifies when banks may outsource functions without violating union rights or the CBA in BPI Employees Union v. BPI.
Tax Clearance Not Required for Bank Liquidation: Protecting Creditor Rights
Supreme Court rules banks under PDIC liquidation need no BIR tax clearance, protecting creditor preference rights under the Civil Code.
When Banks Can't Be Sued for Subsidiary Debts: Piercing the Corporate Veil in Philippine Banking
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when banks may be held liable for subsidiary obligations and when the corporate veil protects them.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Banks Are Not Liable for Subsidiary Debts
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may—and may not—pierce the corporate veil to hold parent banks liable for subsidiary debts.
Banks Must Exercise Higher Diligence: Land Bank v. Poblete on Mortgage in Bad Faith
When a bank accepts a mortgage over property it failed to verify, it risks losing protection as a mortgagee in good faith.
Mortgage on Condominium Land Void Without HLURB Approval: PBCom v. Pridisons
Supreme Court rules mortgages on land intended for condominium projects need HLURB approval under PD 957, protecting buyers over banks.
Mortgagee in Good Faith Doctrine Protects Banks Despite Simulated Property Sales
Philippine Supreme Court rules banks can retain mortgage rights even when mortgagors' titles trace back to simulated sales, if bank acted in good faith.
Bank Liability for Altered Checks and Employee Misconduct: Lessons from Westmont Bank v. Dela Rosa-Ramos
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when banks are liable for altered checks and negligent employees, and how depositor contributory negligence affects damages.