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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When Can Land Awards Be Cancelled? The Buenaventura Case on Prescription
The Supreme Court clarifies when possession of alienable public land ripens into private ownership through prescription, even without proof of possession since 1945.
Squatters Rights in Ejectment Cases: Possession Disputes Between Informal Settlers
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on squatters rights in ejectment cases—prior physical possession matters even between informal settlers on public land.
Balancing Property Rights and Public Welfare: When Can the Government Demolish a Structure
The Supreme Court clarifies when the government may demolish structures on public land and the limits of its power.
Public Land vs Private Claim: Military Reservations and the Limits of Land Acquisition in the Philippines
The Supreme Court voids a title over land inside Fort Bonifacio, ruling military reservations are inalienable public land.
Indefeasibility of Torrens Titles in the Philippines: Fraud and the One-Year Rule Explained
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on Torrens title indefeasibility, the one-year fraud review period, and why titles from public land patents become incontrovertible.
Securing Your Right to Possess Public Land: Understanding Accion Publiciana in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts resolve possession disputes over public land through accion publiciana, based on a Supreme Court ruling.
Real Property Tax on Government Land: When the Beneficial User Pays
The Supreme Court explains when a government-owned corporation is the "beneficial user" of public land and must pay real property tax.
Land Dispute Priority Rights of Actual Occupants vs Formal Applicants
Supreme Court ruling on whether actual occupants or formal applicants have priority rights in public land disposition cases under Philippine law.
When Possession Does Not Equal Ownership: Land Registration and the Alienable and Disposable Requirement
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when possession of public land can ripen into ownership for registration under the Property Registration Decree.
Public Land Cannot Be Burdened: Property Rights and Public Use in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on public dominion property, right of way easements, and possession claims over government land.
Prescription Does Not Bar State Reversion of Public Land Illegally Acquired
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that prescription and laches do not bar the State from reverting public land fraudulently titled, even after many years.
Land Registration and Imperfect Titles: Proving Possession Since June 12, 1945
The Supreme Court clarifies the strict possession standard for judicial confirmation of imperfect titles under the Public Land Act.
Squatters' Rights: Prior Possession Prevails in Ejectment Cases
Philippine Supreme Court rules that prior physical possession, not ownership, determines ejectment cases even between squatters on public land.
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.
When Possession Does Not Equal Ownership: Public Land Act Claims After PD 1073
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that long possession of public land only ripens into ownership if it began by June 12, 1945.
Ejectment, Land Ownership, and Corporate Rights to Public Land: Key Lessons from Ten Forty Realty v. Cruz
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies ejectment actions, double sales, and why corporations cannot own public land in the Philippines.
Reclaimed Lands and the Constitution: Limits on Government Transfers to Private Corporations
The Supreme Court voids a land reclamation deal transferring public lands to a private corporation, reaffirming constitutional limits on alienable lands.
Perfecting Land Titles: Proving Alienability and Possession in Public Land Registration
Learn the dual requirements for registering public land: proving alienable character and open possession since June 12, 1945.
Public Land Ownership in the Philippines: Why Possession Alone Isn't Enough | ASG Law
Philippine law requires more than occupation to own public land. Learn the rules on classification, possession, and judicial confirmation of title.
Land Classification Prevails Prolonged Occupation Doesnt Trump Public Land Status
Supreme Court rules long possession of timberland cannot ripen into private ownership; land classification, not occupation, determines registrability.
Public Officials and Due Diligence in Government Land Transactions
A Supreme Court ruling shows why possession of public land does not equal ownership, and why only the State can sue to recover public land wrongly titled.
Fraud in Land Acquisition: Government Can Revert Public Land Despite Title Indefeasibility
Supreme Court ruling on how fraud in free patent applications lets the government revert public land despite title indefeasibility.
Public Land vs Private Claim: Proving Alienable Classification Before Ownership
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why long possession of public land cannot ripen into private ownership without proof of alienable classification.