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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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.
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.
Prescription of Reconveyance Actions: Vigilance Over Land Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies the 10-year prescriptive period for reconveyance actions and the exception for possessors of fraudulently registered land.
Expiration of Redemption Rights: Failure to Consign Full Payment Voids Repurchase of Unregistered Land
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why a defective consignation fails to redeem property sold with right to repurchase, and the risks of buying unregistered land.
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.
Good Faith in Property Acquisition: Protecting Torrens Titles From Unrecorded Claims
Learn how the Supreme Court protects buyers of registered land from unrecorded claims, and why a notice of lis pendens must be properly annotated.
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.
Unregistered Land Donation and Tenant Rights Under Agrarian Reform
A Supreme Court ruling on why an unregistered land donation cannot defeat tenant rights under agrarian reform and Operation Land Transfer.
Prescription AND Registered Land Torrens Title Prevails Over Unsubstantiated Claims
Protecting Land Titles: The Limits of Collateral Attacks in Property Disputes
Learn how the Supreme Court protects registered land titles from collateral attacks, using the 2001 Tan v. Philippine Banking Corp. case.
Bona Fide Purchasers and the Protection of Innocent Buyers of Registered Land
A Supreme Court ruling explains why a buyer of registered land may rely on the Torrens title and why a complaint must allege bad faith to state a cause of action.
Mortgage in Bad Faith: Due Diligence in Unregistered Land Transactions
When a bank fails to verify ownership of unregistered land before accepting it as collateral, it acts in bad faith and loses protection as a mortgagee.
Land Registration: How Clear Title Strengthens Ownership and Possession Rights
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how registered land rights and lease agreements strengthen claims to ownership and possession in property disputes.
Torrens Title vs. Acquisitive Prescription: Why Registered Land Prevails in the Philippines
A Torrens title defeats claims of ownership by long possession. Learn the Ramos v. Bautista ruling and how to protect registered land.
Why Summary Petitions Fall Short in Land Ownership Battles: Quevada v. Glorioso
The Supreme Court explains why a summary petition for inscription cannot resolve genuine ownership disputes over registered land.
Unregistered Land Rights Trump Mortgages: Due Diligence for Banks in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on State Investment House v. CA: banks must inspect property beyond Torrens title or risk losing to unregistered buyers.