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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Good Faith and Public Office: Reassessing Graft and Corruption in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that good faith and lack of manifest partiality can defeat graft charges under RA 3019.
Contractual Obligations Upholding Written Agreements in Property Sales
Supreme Court ruling on unlawful detainer, unconstitutional decrees, and good faith in property possession disputes.
Forged Documents and Good Faith: Protecting Land Ownership in the Philippines
When forged deeds meet buyers' good faith, Philippine courts weigh title protection against prudence. Learn the rules from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Breach of Contract and Good Faith in Security Service Agreements: Adriano v. Lasala
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on unlawful termination of security service contracts, bad faith, and damages under Civil Code.
Why Torrens Titles Are Indefeasible: Collateral Attacks and Good Faith Buyers
Philippine law protects Torrens titles from collateral attack. Learn the rules on direct challenges, indispensable parties, and good faith buyers.
Breach of Trust When Good Faith Fails in Public Office
A governor's conviction for violating RA 3019 shows that reliance on officials' assurances does not excuse sidestepping procurement rules.
Protecting Land Ownership: The Limits of Good Faith in Real Estate Transactions
The Supreme Court clarifies when a property owner's claim of fraud in a real estate mortgage fails for lack of evidence.
Banks Must Exercise Higher Diligence: Land Bank v. Poblete on Mortgage in Bad Faith
When a bank accepts a mortgage over property it failed to verify, it risks losing protection as a mortgagee in good faith.
Good Faith and Land Titles: Protecting Innocent Purchasers in Real Estate Disputes
When is a bank a mortgagee in good faith? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on forged deeds and land titles.
Reconstitution of Title: The Critical Requirements of Loss and Good Faith
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies strict requirements for judicial reconstitution of lost or destroyed Torrens titles under RA 26.
Reconveyance and Good Faith: When a Torrens Title Is Not Enough
Philippine Supreme Court rules that a Torrens title obtained in bad faith may be defeated by an action for reconveyance by one with a better right.
Redundancy Programs Balancing Business Needs AND Employee Rights IN THE Philippines
Understand Philippine redundancy rules through Morales v. Metrobank: valid termination requires good faith, fair criteria, proper notice, and separation pay.
Technical Malversation: Good Faith Is No Defense for Misapplying Public Funds
A mayor diverted food for malnourished children to calamity victims. The Supreme Court ruled this is technical malversation—good faith is no defense.
Mortgagee in Good Faith Doctrine Protects Banks Despite Simulated Property Sales
Philippine Supreme Court rules banks can retain mortgage rights even when mortgagors' titles trace back to simulated sales, if bank acted in good faith.
Protecting Prior Land Rights: The Limits of Free Patents and Good Faith Purchasers
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when free patents and good faith purchases can defeat prior land rights.
Acquisitive Prescription and Double Sales: When Long-Term Possession Confirms Ownership
A Supreme Court ruling on how prior possession and good faith determine ownership in double sales of land.
Good Faith and Torrens System Limits to Protection for Purchasers of Registered Land in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on emancipation patents, Torrens titles, and the limits of good faith protection for land purchasers.
Good Faith No Defense for Sheriff Who Collected Execution Fees Without Court Approval
Philippine Supreme Court holds sheriff liable for grave misconduct, dishonesty, and neglect of duty for collecting execution expenses without prior court approval.
Official Overreach When Good Faith Isnt A Free Pass For Illegal Demolitions
Court employee fined for stopping execution of sheriff's sale to help a friend. A lesson in official conduct.
Double Sale of Property: Understanding Legal Ownership and Good Faith in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies double sale rules under Article 1544, emphasizing possession in good faith determines ownership when no registration occurs.
Mortgage Priority Good Faith Trumps Subsequent Attachment In Property Disputes
Supreme Court ruling on mortgage priority, good faith, and why unregistered attachments don't defeat prior real estate mortgages.
Prior Title Prevails in Property Possession Cases: Lessons from a Double Sale
When two buyers claim the same land, prior title and possession in good faith prevail. Learn the rules on double sales and buyer diligence.
Good Faith and Property Rights: Reimbursement for Builders on Another’s Land
A builder in good faith on another's land may claim reimbursement and retention rights. Learn the rules from Benedicto v. Villaflores.
Stockholder Inspection Rights: Good Faith and Legitimate Purpose Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies stockholder inspection rights, good faith requirements, and procedural remedies in corporate record disputes.