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.
Defining Agrarian Disputes When Land Ownership Claims Fall Outside DARAB Jurisdiction
The Supreme Court clarifies that ownership disputes over land, absent tenurial arrangements, are not agrarian disputes and belong to regular courts.
Timeliness is Key: Understanding the 15-Day Rule for Agrarian Disputes
The Supreme Court explains why landowners must file just compensation cases within 15 days of the DARAB decision, or lose their right.
Tenant Rights vs Landowner Rights in the Philippines: Understanding Tenancy and Agricultural Land Law
A look at Philippine tenancy law, balancing tenant rights and landowner rights under agricultural land reform and related statutes.
Clearing Land Title Clouds: Why Accurate Property Descriptions Are Crucial in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on agrarian reform, land reclassification, and why precise property records protect ownership rights.
Just Compensation in Land Reform: Ensuring Fair Value for Agricultural Landowners in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how just compensation is computed for agricultural landowners under CARP, including DAR formula rules and compensable areas.
When Quitclaims and Waivers Over Agrarian Land Are Void: Lessons from Lebrudo v. Loyola
Philippine Supreme Court explains when waivers over agrarian reform land are void, protecting farmer-beneficiaries from losing their awarded property.
Understanding Land Ownership Restrictions Under Philippine Agrarian Reform: The Lebrudo vs Loyola Case
The Supreme Court explains the 10-year ban on selling or transferring agrarian reform lands, and why waivers violating it are void.
Security of Tenure: Understanding Agricultural Tenancy Rights in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies the essential elements of agricultural tenancy and security of tenure in Heirs of Barredo v. Besañes.
Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: Courts Must Follow DAR Valuation Formula
Philippine Supreme Court rules that courts must apply DAR's mandatory valuation formula under RA 6657 in determining just compensation for agrarian reform lands.
Limits of DARAB Jurisdiction: Certiorari Power and Agrarian Dispute Resolution
Supreme Court clarifies DARAB jurisdiction limits, certiorari power, and the finality of agrarian dispute decisions in just compensation cases.
Special Agrarian Court Jurisdiction: Province-Wide, Not Just Local
Just compensation cases may be heard by the designated Special Agrarian Court anywhere in the province, even outside its regular territory.
CARP Coverage and Landowner Rights in Reclassified Areas: DAR v. Berenguer
Land inside a poblacion is presumed non-agricultural and outside CARP coverage, the Supreme Court ruled in DAR v. Berenguer.
Landowners Can Withdraw Revalued Compensation Pending Agrarian Dispute Resolution
Supreme Court affirms landowners' right to withdraw revalued compensation pending appeal in agrarian cases, citing just and timely payment principle.
Just Compensation Land Valuation Under Agrarian Reform Requires Independent Judicial Assessment
Philippine Supreme Court rules trial courts must independently determine just compensation in agrarian reform cases, not merely adopt DARAB valuations.
Government Contracts and Eminent Domain: Scrutinizing Good Faith in Land Acquisition
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that just compensation in agrarian reform must follow RA 6657 and DAR formulas, not market data alone.
Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies in CLOA Cancellation Cases: A Property Law Primer
Learn why a landowner's direct appeal to the Court of Appeals failed in a CLOA cancellation case, and the importance of exhausting administrative remedies.
Emancipation Patents and Land Ownership: Protecting Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries
Learn how emancipation patents vest absolute ownership in farmer-beneficiaries, and why temporary surrender of possession does not mean abandonment.
Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: Applying Current Land Valuation Standards
Explains how Philippine courts determine just compensation for agrarian reform lands, using current DAR valuation formulas rather than outdated standards.
Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: Market Value vs. Statutory Factors
The Supreme Court rules that courts must follow Section 17 of RA 6657 and DAR formulas, not just market data, in fixing just compensation.
Just Compensation for Agrarian Reform: Land Value at Time of Payment
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on valuing agrarian reform land at payment time, not 1972 taking, for just compensation.
Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: Determining Land Value Under RA 6657
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies which law governs land valuation for agrarian reform properties acquired under PD 27 but compensated after RA 6657.
Just Compensation for PD 27 Lands: Applying RA 6657 After Delay
When just compensation remains unsettled when RA 6657 took effect, the CARP Law governs valuation, not PD 27's outdated formula.
Lease vs Land Reform: Tenant Rights to Crops and Improvements Under CARP
When the government acquires land under CARP, who owns the standing crops and improvements—the landowner or the tenant? The Supreme Court clarifies.
Fair Valuation in Agrarian Reform: Just Compensation Under R.A. 6657
The Supreme Court clarifies that just compensation for lands acquired under P.D. 27 must follow R.A. 6657 and DAR regulations, not outdated formulas.