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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Probable Cause and Conspiracy: When Presence Alone Does Not Mean Guilt in Insurance Fraud
Supreme Court clarifies that mere presence and family ties do not establish conspiracy or probable cause in insurance fraud cases.
Disbarment for Adultery and Abandonment: Moral Standards for Philippine Lawyers
The Supreme Court disbarred a lawyer for adultery and abandoning his family, reaffirming that private misconduct reflects on fitness to practice law.
Ante-Nuptial Agreements and Property Waivers: The Delgado v. GQ Realty Case
The Supreme Court's ruling in Delgado v. GQ Realty clarifies how ante-nuptial agreements can waive property rights, even for assets registered under a spouse's family corporation.
Implied Trust and Property Reconveyance: Ensuring Equitable Distribution Among Heirs
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies implied trust rules and property reconveyance among heirs in a family dispute over a Manila lot.
Redefining Family Driver Civil Code Rules In The Absence Of Labor Code Coverage
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that family drivers are governed by Civil Code rules, not Labor Code, after the Kasambahay Law's repeal.
Disbarment for Abandonment and Immorality: Ceniza v. Ceniza
A lawyer's abandonment of his family to cohabit with a married woman warrants disbarment for gross immorality under the CPR.
When Marital Duty and Psychological Capacity Collide: Understanding Annulment in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies what psychological incapacity truly means under Article 36 of the Family Code, and why a loveless or forced marriage is not automatically void.
Beyond Disappointment: Psychological Incapacity as Grounds for Marriage Nullity in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that marital disappointment is not psychological incapacity under Article 36 of the Family Code.
Sibling Disputes and Court Filings: When Family Code Conciliation Rules Apply
The Supreme Court clarifies when Article 151 of the Family Code requires earnest efforts before family members can sue each other.
Divorce Abroad and Filipino Spouses: Article 26 of the Family Code Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies when a divorce obtained abroad by a Filipino spouse against a foreigner is recognized under Article 26 of the Family Code.
Lawyer Suspended for Signing Falsified Deed in Family Property Sale
Supreme Court suspends lawyer for six months for signing a deed of sale containing falsehoods, reaffirming lawyers' duty to uphold truth.
Well-Founded Belief and Presumptive Death: Diligence Required for Remarriage
The Supreme Court clarifies the strict "well-founded belief" standard under Article 41 of the Family Code for declaring a missing spouse presumptively dead.
Psychological Incapacity in Marriage: Proving the Burden for Annulment
The Supreme Court clarifies the burden of proof for annulment based on psychological incapacity under Article 36 of the Family Code.
Judges Can Only Solemnize Marriages Within Their Court’s Jurisdiction
A judge who solemnizes a marriage outside his court's territorial jurisdiction violates the Family Code and faces administrative sanctions.
Family Home Exemption Claim Must Be Proven, Not Just Asserted
A bare claim that property is a family home cannot stop execution of a final judgment. The claimant must prove it.
Can Pathological Gambling Nullify a Marriage? The Singson Ruling on Psychological Incapacity
The Supreme Court in Singson v. Singson clarifies when pathological gambling can—and cannot—nullify a marriage under Article 36 of the Family Code.
When Self-Defense Fails: Liability for Homicide and Attempted Homicide in a Family Brawl
The Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense and defense of relatives fail, and how liability is determined absent conspiracy in a family brawl.
Psychological Incapacity: Mere Disagreement Is Not Grounds for Marriage Nullity
The Supreme Court clarifies that irreconcilable differences and personality clashes do not amount to psychological incapacity under Article 36 of the Family Code.
Baptismal Certificates and Filiation: Proving Legal Parentage in Inheritance Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that baptismal and marriage certificates alone cannot prove filiation for inheritance claims, citing Family Code rules.
Ownership Disputes: When a Lawyer Cannot Acquire a Client's Property in Litigation
The Supreme Court suspends a lawyer for acquiring property in litigation and selling client land without authority—key rules for family property disputes.
Courts Have Jurisdiction Over Church Marriages: Tilar v. Republic
The Supreme Court clarifies that civil courts have jurisdiction to declare church marriages void under the Family Code, rejecting the separation of Church and State argument.
Protecting Victims: How Family Can Petition for Protection Orders Under the Anti-VAWC Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that a victim's family can file for protection orders under the Anti-VAWC Law, even after a criminal complaint is dismissed.
Implied Trusts and Co-Ownership: Hidden Property Rights in Family Lending Businesses
When a family lending business buys property under one sibling's name, an implied trust may preserve everyone's share.
Psychological Incapacity vs Marital Discord: When Infidelity and Irresponsibility Do Not Nullify a Marriage
The Supreme Court clarifies that marital discord, infidelity, and irresponsibility do not automatically amount to psychological incapacity under Article 36 of the Family Code.