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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Docket Fees and Jurisdiction in Land Ownership Disputes: Key Lessons
Learn how the Supreme Court clarified docket fee payment, jurisdiction, and procedural rules in land ownership disputes.
Double Sale Doctrine: Prior Registration and Good Faith in Land Ownership Disputes
When two buyers claim the same land, who wins? The Supreme Court explains the double sale rule under Article 1544 and the crucial role of good faith and Torrens registration.
Double Sale of Land: Good Faith as the Decisive Factor in Ownership Disputes
In double sales of land, good faith determines ownership. The Supreme Court explains why a clean title alone does not protect a buyer who ignores visible occupants.
Unregistered Donation vs Registered Title: Resolving Property Ownership Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether an unregistered deed of donation can defeat the rights of heirs of a registered property owner.
Ejectment Suits and Ownership Disputes: MTC Jurisdiction Clarified
A look at how Philippine courts distinguish between ejectment cases and ownership disputes, and why the MTC's jurisdiction depends on the nature of the action.
Acquisitive Prescription Good Faith AND Just Title IN Land Ownership Disputes
Learn how good faith and just title affect acquisitive prescription in Philippine land ownership disputes, based on Supreme Court rulings.
Torrens Title Prevails Over Unregistered Deeds in Land Ownership Disputes
When a property becomes registered under the Torrens System, prior unregistered claims are defeated. Learn the rules from Naawan Bank v. Spouses Lumo.
Reviving Judgments: Enforceability After Five Years in Ownership Disputes
Learn when a final judgment can be revived after five years, and why ownership issues cannot be re-litigated in a revival action.
Res Judicata vs Law of the Case: How Prior Judgments Shape Ownership Disputes
A 2001 Supreme Court ruling explains why a prior judgment in a related case does not always bar a later suit, and how the law of the case doctrine applies.
Ejectment Actions Unaffected By Ownership Disputes Germinanda Heirs VS Judge Salvanera
The Supreme Court clarifies that in ejectment suits, courts may provisionally rule on the plaintiff's death and ownership issues without barring separate actions.
Ejectment Suits and Ownership Disputes: Scope of MTC Jurisdiction in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that MTCs in ejectment cases may rule on ownership only to determine possession, not as a final adjudication.
Sequestered Shares and Ownership Disputes: Lessons from Republic v. Arambulo
A Sandiganbayan ruling on sequestered Piedras Petroleum shares reached the Supreme Court, clarifying how ownership is proven when the State sequesters stock.
Upholding Torrens Titles Ownership Rights Prevail Over Claims Of Prior Possession
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on Torrens titles, reconstitution requirements, and laches in land ownership disputes.
Agrarian Jurisdiction Ownership Disputes Fall Outside Darabs Purview
DARAB lacks jurisdiction over pure ownership disputes between parties with no tenurial relationship, as clarified by the Supreme Court.
Ejectment vs. Ownership: Why Forcible Entry Cases Can Proceed Despite Ownership Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that forcible entry cases proceed independently of ownership disputes; RTC erred in dismissing ejectment appeal.
Navigating Conflicting Supreme Court Decisions in Land Ownership Disputes
When two final Supreme Court rulings conflict, which prevails? The Adia case offers guidance on resolving land title disputes.
Vehicle Ownership Disputes: How to Prove You're the Rightful Owner in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts determine rightful vehicle ownership in disputes, including the role of certificates of registration and deeds of sale.
Unlawful Detainer in the Philippines: Prior Possession Not Required to File Suit
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that prior physical possession is not required to file unlawful detainer, and ownership disputes do not bar the case.
Ejectment Case Strategy When Ownership Disputes Halt Eviction in the Philippines
Philippine ejectment cases: MTCs can resolve ownership only to determine possession, not to bar separate title actions.
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.
Navigating Property Disputes: Understanding Litis Pendentia in Ejectment Cases
Learn when litis pendentia applies in ejectment cases and why ownership disputes don't automatically stop eviction suits in the Philippines.
Land Ownership Disputes: How Procedural Errors Can Cost the Government a Case
A Supreme Court ruling shows how the government's failure to formally present evidence in land disputes can lead to adverse rulings and costly remands.
Redemption After Execution Sale: Ownership Disputes Do Not Stop the Clock
Philippine law gives judgment debtors one year to redeem property sold at execution. Ownership disputes do not suspend that deadline.
When Sequestration Does Not Oust Trial Courts: PAGCOR v. Court of Appeals
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that sequestration alone does not strip regular courts of jurisdiction over ownership disputes involving sequestered assets.