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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Reconstitution of Lost Land Titles: Register of Deeds' Duty Under RA 26
When registry records go missing, who must reconstitute your land title? The Supreme Court clarifies the Register of Deeds' duty under RA 26.
Social Media Conduct of Lawyers: Maintaining Decorum and Respect for the LGBTQIA+ Community
The Supreme Court reprimanded five lawyers for homophobic Facebook posts, ruling that social media conduct falls within disciplinary authority.
Import Restrictions and Preliminary Injunctions: Lessons from Alcala v. Carpio
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may issue preliminary injunctions against customs seizures of rice imports lacking NFA permits.
Election Gun Ban: Can Bladed Weapons Be Prohibited?
The Supreme Court rules on whether the COMELEC election gun ban can cover bladed instruments like knives, and explains how to challenge its constitutionality.
Eyewitness Credibility and Social Media Evidence in Psychological Abuse Convictions
How the Supreme Court affirmed a psychological abuse conviction and set guidelines for proving social media authorship beyond reasonable doubt.
Defective Summons and Due Process in Property Disputes: Key Lessons from Spouses Abayon v. BPI
The Supreme Court clarifies when defective summons is cured by voluntary appearance and when courts violate due process in property disputes.
Priority of Registered Levy vs. Prior Unregistered Sale in Property Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when a prior unregistered sale beats a later registered levy on execution, and the rules on service of summons by publication.
Defective Service of Summons and Prior Unregistered Sale: Key Lessons from Go v. Court of Appeals
Supreme Court clarifies rules on service of summons by publication and priority of prior unregistered sales over registered levies.
Official Duty vs Corruption: The Limits of Anti-Graft Law in BFP Mutual Aid Cases
Supreme Court clarifies when a public officer's withholding of funds is official duty, not graft, in BFP mutual aid case.
Adverse Claims on Registered Land: When They Can and Cannot Be Annotated
The Supreme Court clarifies when an adverse claim on registered land is valid, and when it must be cancelled under Philippine property law.
Discovery Proceedings: The Consequences of Concealing Evidence in Forfeiture Cases
A look at Republic v. Tantoco, Jr., where the Supreme Court upheld sanctions for concealing evidence during discovery in a forfeiture case.
Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: Valuing Land at the Time of Taking
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how to value agrarian reform land, emphasizing the time of taking and correct valuation formula.
Investment Prudence and SSS Officials' Liability in Stock Purchase Decisions
Supreme Court clarifies when SSS officials may be held liable for investment decisions, applying the prudent man standard under the SSS Law.
Priority of Registered Levy vs Prior Unregistered Sale in Philippine Property Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a registered levy on execution beats a prior unregistered sale, and when it does not.
Financial Support and VAWC Intent: What Denial of Support Really Requires
The Supreme Court clarifies that criminal liability for denial of financial support under VAWC requires willful intent to cause anguish, not mere failure to provide.
Loss of Trust in Banking Employment: The Prudent Man Standard for Termination
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the standard for terminating bank employees for loss of trust, balancing employer diligence with employee rights.
Contract to Sell vs Contract of Sale: Adverse Claims on Philippine Property Titles
Learn how the Supreme Court distinguishes contract to sell from contract of sale, and when adverse claims on land titles are valid under PD 1529.
Forged Donation Municipality Liable FOR Taking Private Land Without Just Compensation
Supreme Court rules a municipality must pay just compensation when it builds a road on private land under a forged deed of donation.
Defective Summons and Voluntary Appearance: Due Process in Property Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when defective extraterritorial summons can be cured by voluntary appearance—and why due process still protects the defendant.
Defective Summons Voids Trustee Appointment: Key Lessons from Diversified Plastic Film v. PI-One
Defective summons can void court proceedings. Learn the jurisdictional limits and SPV Act requirements from this Supreme Court ruling.
Supreme Court Upholds CIAC Jurisdiction, Strikes Down 14-Day Arbitration Limit in Government Contracts
Supreme Court affirms CIAC jurisdiction over government construction disputes and voids unreasonably short 14-day arbitration periods as contrary to public policy.
Due Process and Summons: Supreme Court Ruling on Unresolved Motions for Reconsideration
The Supreme Court clarifies that ignoring a motion for reconsideration violates due process, while explaining how courts acquire jurisdiction over defendants.
Tax Evasion in the Philippines: When Can the Government Collect Without an Assessment
The Supreme Court clarifies when the BIR can collect deficiency taxes without a formal assessment in criminal tax evasion cases.
Judicial Misconduct: SC Fines Judge P700K for Ignoring CA Injunction and Bias
The Supreme Court fined a Davao judge P700,000 for gross ignorance, abuse of authority, and partiality in a DBCP execution case.