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.
Homestead Rights vs Agrarian Reform: What Landowners Must Know
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that homestead patents do not automatically exempt land from agrarian reform coverage under Philippine law.
Ejectment Suits MTC Jurisdiction Prevails Despite Ownership Claims
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that MTC retains jurisdiction over ejectment cases even when defendants raise ownership or agrarian reform claims.
Standby Letters of Credit Stand Outside Corporate Rehabilitation Stay Orders
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why standby letters of credit are not covered by rehabilitation stay orders and remain enforceable against issuing banks.
Prescription in Implied Trusts: When Does the Clock Start Ticking
Learn when the prescriptive period for implied trusts begins under Philippine law, based on Supreme Court rulings.
Agrarian Reform and Due Process: When Land Acquisition Fails for Lack of Notice
A landowner's right to due process in agrarian reform acquisition explained through the DAR vs. Apex case.
Contractual Obligations Prevail: Bank's Right to Offset Debts Despite Trustee-Beneficiary Claims
Supreme Court ruling on when a bank may validly apply a borrower's funds to settle debts, even amid trustee-beneficiary claims.
Agrarian Reform Protecting Farmers Rights Against Illegal Land Transfers
Learn how the Supreme Court protects farmer-beneficiaries from illegal land transfers under PD 27, including rules on abandonment and reallocation.
Protecting Farmer Beneficiaries Security OF Tenure Prevails Over Unauthorized Land Transfers
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on farmer beneficiaries' security of tenure versus unauthorized land transfers under agrarian reform.
Land Retention Rights Prevail Landowners Choice Overrides Prior Land Transfer Certificates
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how a landowner's retention right under PD 27 can override a previously issued Certificate of Land Transfer.
Fighting Eviction: Why Exhausting Administrative Remedies Is Your First Step in Philippine Property Disputes
Learn from Zabat v. Court of Appeals: why exhausting administrative remedies before suing in court is crucial in Philippine property disputes.
Modal Institutions in Philippine Wills: Heirs' Obligations and the Rabadilla Ruling
Learn how modal institutions in Philippine wills impose enforceable obligations on heirs, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Rabadilla v. Court of Appeals.
Land Reform Rights: Voluntary Surrender vs. Abandonment Under Philippine Law
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling on when a farmer-beneficiary's surrender of land reform rights is valid and how DAR may reallocate the land.
Union Dues and Attorney's Fees: Protecting Employee Rights in Collective Bargaining
The Supreme Court clarifies when attorney's fees can be charged to union members and the strict rules on check-off deductions.
Tenant Rights Prevail: Security of Tenure and Agrarian Reform in Greenfield v. Cardama
The Supreme Court affirms that agricultural tenants enjoy security of tenure and cannot be summarily dispossessed, reinforcing CARP beneficiary rights.
Land Valuation Disputes and Mandamus: Lessons from Land Bank v. Court of Appeals
When can a writ of mandamus compel the Land Bank to pay agrarian reform compensation? A 1999 Supreme Court ruling explains.
Privity of Contract in the Philippines: Why Third Parties Are Not Bound by Your Agreement
Learn how privity of contract protects banks and third parties from obligations they never agreed to, explained through the Villalon case.
Beneficial Ownership VS Legal Title Understanding Trust Relationships IN Philippine LAW
A look at how Philippine courts distinguish beneficial ownership from legal title in trust relationships, using a landmark case on employee dismissal and quitclaims.
Decoding Holographic Wills in the Philippines: Witness Requirements and Probate Challenges
Understand the mandatory three-witness rule for contested holographic wills in the Philippines and what Codoy v. Calugay means for probate.
Unmasking Express Trusts in Philippine Property Law: Co-Ownership vs True Ownership
When a deed of sale is actually an express trust, the titled "owner" holds only as trustee. This case explains the difference.
Due Process in Agrarian Reform: The Supreme Court on CLOA Issuance and Rightful Beneficiaries
The Supreme Court affirms that due process is indispensable in CLOA issuance, and explains when exhausting administrative remedies is not required.
Tenancy Disputes and Jurisdiction: Courts vs. Agrarian Reform Boards
Understanding when courts or DARAB have jurisdiction over agrarian disputes, based on a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Eviction Moratoriums and Tenant Rights in the Philippines: RA 7279 and Supervening Events
Learn how the Supreme Court applied RA 7279's eviction moratorium and the supervening events doctrine in unlawful detainer cases.
When Does a New Agreement Override an Old One? Philippine Contract Law Explained
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a later agreement novates an earlier contract, and when both documents must be read together.
Protecting Loan Security: How Mortgagees Can Secure Insurance Claims in the Philippines
Learn how mortgagees can secure insurance proceeds under Philippine law, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. v. Goyu & Sons.