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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Contractual Obligations: When Agreed Interest Rates in Land Sales Are Upheld
The Supreme Court upheld a 24% annual interest rate in an installment land sale, ruling that parties are bound by their contract absent any legal prohibition.
Voiding Land Sales: The Five-Year Restriction on Free Patents in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on the five-year ban on selling free patent lands, and what it means for landowners and buyers.
Unjust Enrichment and Contractual Obligations: Lessons from Limaco v. Shonan Gakuen
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on void land sales, down payment refunds, and unjust enrichment in Limaco v. Shonan Gakuen.
When a Land Sale Contract Is Voidable: Illiteracy, Fraud, and Equitable Mortgage in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a deed of absolute sale is actually an equitable mortgage, protecting illiterate landowners from fraud.
Land Transfer Knowledge vs Registration in Agrarian Reform: Heirs of Hidalgo
Why unregistered land sales before PD 27 do not exempt property from Operation Land Transfer coverage.
Unregistered Land Sales and Agrarian Reform: The Limits of Ownership Transfer
When do unregistered property sales fail against agrarian reform coverage? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on land transfers and PD 27.
Upholding Tenants Redemption Rights Darab Jurisdiction Over Agricultural Land Sales
A Supreme Court ruling on the finality of judgments clarifies when appeals in forcible entry cases must be filed and why late petitions cannot revive a case.
Attorney Suspended for Misrepresenting Facts in Court to Gain Unfair Advantage
Lawyer suspended six months for filing a false reformation case to profit from a client's land sale, violating professional ethics.
Upholding Land Sales Good Faith Purchasers Protected Despite Family Disputes
Public Land Sales: Prior Occupancy vs Public Auction Under R.A. 730
When can a prior occupant of public land claim preference over a public auction sale? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules under R.A. 730 and the Public Land Act.
When Is a Land Sale "Conveyed" for Repurchase? Notarial Deed Prevails
A notarized deed's date controls the five-year repurchase period under the Public Land Act, the Supreme Court rules.
Lawyer Suspended for Falsifying Documents and Fraudulent Land Sale
Supreme Court suspends lawyer for five years for forging a special power of attorney to sell clients' land without consent.
Security of Tenure Prevails: Land Sales Do Not Override Tenant Rights Under Agrarian Reform
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how land sales cannot override tenant rights and security of tenure under agrarian reform laws.
Alien Land Ownership and Pari Delicto: When Title Reverts to the State
Explaining the pari delicto doctrine in alien land sales, and when the State—not the vendor—may pursue reversion of title.
Rescinding a Land Sale in the Philippines: Why a Letter Is Not Enough
Philippine law requires a judicial or notarial act to rescind a sale of immovable property—even with an automatic rescission clause.
Unregistered Land Sale Prevails Over Registered Mortgage Protecting Prior Ownership Rights
When an unregistered sale precedes a mortgage, the buyer's prior ownership rights can defeat the mortgagee's registered claims.
Unregistered Sale vs Attachment Priority OF Rights IN Land Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on unregistered land sales, laches, and ownership rights in property disputes explained in plain language.
Disputes in Real Estate: Clarifying Intent in Land Sale Agreements
When buyers and sellers disagree on what land was sold, Philippine courts look to the parties' true intent, not just the written deed.
Pacto de Retro Sales in the Philippines: When a Land Sale Is Not an Equitable Mortgage
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a pacto de retro sale stands as a true sale, not an equitable mortgage.
Forgery in Land Sales: Upholding Final Judgments Against Claims of Extrinsic Fraud
A Supreme Court ruling explains why a buyer who admitted a deed of sale was forged cannot later overturn the final judgment by claiming extrinsic fraud.
When Arbitration Clauses Do Not Bind Third-Party Buyers in Land Sales
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when arbitration clauses in contracts bind only parties, not third-party land buyers.
Security of Tenure for Tenant Farmers: Upholding Leasehold Rights in the Philippines
The Supreme Court reaffirmed tenant farmers' security of tenure, ruling that land sale does not extinguish agricultural leasehold rights.
Annulment of Contracts: Fraud and Consent in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court explains when fraud vitiates consent in contracts, using a land sale case as example.