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.
Reconveyance Claims: Proving Ownership by Clear and Convincing Evidence
A look at Ibot v. Heirs of Tayco, where the Supreme Court clarified the burden of proof in reconveyance actions and the limits of Torrens title challenges.
Lawyer Suspended for Non-Payment of Debt: Ethical Standards for Attorneys
A lawyer's deliberate failure to pay a just debt constitutes gross misconduct warranting suspension from the practice of law under Rule 1.01.
Title Registration as Proof of Prior Possession in Forcible Entry Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when a Torrens title can prove prior physical possession in forcible entry cases, protecting landowners from intruders.
B.P. 22 Defense: Payment Before Information Filing Can Defeat Dishonored Check Charges
The Supreme Court explains when paying a dishonored check before charges are filed can defeat a B.P. 22 prosecution.
Credit Card Suspension: When Banks Must Answer for Negligence and Damages
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on credit card suspension, bank negligence, and cardholder rights to moral and exemplary damages.
Duplicate Originals as Evidence: When Photocopies Are Admissible in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when duplicate originals are admissible evidence, reversing the Court of Appeals' exclusion of invoices in a collection case.
Maceda Law Rights of Installment Buyers in Real Estate Contracts
The Supreme Court explains how the Maceda Law protects installment buyers, including the required cash surrender value before contract cancellation.
Breach of Trust Estafa Conviction Affirmed in Jewelry Consignment Case
Supreme Court affirms estafa conviction for consignee who sold jewelry on credit and failed to remit proceeds or return items.
Malversation Through Falsification: Upholding Accountability in Philippine Public Office
A BIR agent's conviction for malversation through falsification shows how Philippine courts penalize public fund misappropriation and enforce restitution.
Unlawful Detainer: When "Mere Tolerance" Isn't Enough to Eject an Occupant
The Supreme Court explains when an owner cannot use unlawful detainer to eject long-time occupants, and the key facts a complaint must allege.
Contractual Obligations Upholding Written Agreements in Property Sales
Supreme Court ruling on unlawful detainer, unconstitutional decrees, and good faith in property possession disputes.
Written Demand and Unlawful Detainer: Protecting Landowners From Unauthorized Property Sales
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a written demand triggers ejectment and why an unconstitutional decree cannot justify continued possession.
Burden of Proof in Loan Obligations: Notice of Loss in Chattel Mortgage Agreements
When a mortgaged vehicle is stolen, borrowers must prove they notified the bank. Learn the burden of proof rules from a Supreme Court ruling.
Demand Is Key: Determining the Prescription Period for Unlawful Detainer in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled that the one-year period for unlawful detainer is counted from the last demand to vacate, not from the date of non-payment.
Waiver of Demand and Interest Rate Limits in Philippine Loan Agreements
The Supreme Court clarifies when demand is unnecessary before default and why courts reduce excessive stipulated interest rates.
Rescission Rights When Developers Fail to Deliver on Property Sales
Buyers who fully paid for a lot can rescind the contract and recover the property's market value when the developer fails to deliver title.
Unraveling Estafa: The Supreme Court's Stance on Misappropriation and Probable Cause
A look at Burgundy Realty v. Reyes, where the Supreme Court clarified the elements of estafa and the low bar for probable cause in preliminary investigations.
Credit Card Obligations Without Signed Agreements: When Interest Rates Bind
Supreme Court rules on credit card debt when no signed agreement exists, and when interest charges may be unenforceable.
Tenant Estoppel and Tacita Reconduccion in Unlawful Detainer: Samelo v. Manotok Services
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on tenant estoppel, implied lease renewal, and interest in unlawful detainer cases.
The Tenant's Dilemma: Estoppel in Unlawful Detainer Cases
When a lease expires, a tenant cannot deny the landlord's title. Learn how estoppel and implied lease work in Philippine ejectment cases.
Proving Actual Damages: The Standard for Compensation in Philippine Contract Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the strict standard for proving actual damages in contract disputes, requiring clear and convincing documentary evidence.
Ejectment and Land Ownership: What a Torrens Title Means for Property Owners in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains how registered owners can eject tolerated occupants, why laches does not bar recovery, and the limits of ownership claims in ejectment cases.
Reimbursement Rights When a Payor Can Recover Debt Paid on Another's Behalf
When can a co-maker recover payment made on a debtor's loan? The Supreme Court explains Article 1236 reimbursement rules.
When a Demand Letter Does Not Create a Cause of Action: Lessons from Ilusorio
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a creditor's demand letter constitutes harassment or simply an exercise of contractual rights.