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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Constitutional Limits on Alien Land Ownership: Reversion of Property Acquired in Violation of the Constitution
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on reversion of land acquired by aliens in violation of the constitutional ban on foreign land ownership.
Upholding Land Ownership: Technicalities Yield to Substantive Rights in Property Disputes
SC rules procedural lapses cannot defeat a registered owner's right to recover property from tolerated occupants.
Replevin and Vehicle Sales: When Entrusting Your Car Makes You Lose Ownership
A Supreme Court ruling on replevin clarifies when entrusting a vehicle to an agent for sale transfers ownership, and what claimants must prove.
Replevin Actions: Proving Ownership and Rightful Possession in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that replevin requires proof of ownership or rightful possession, not just a claim of wrongful detention.
Co-Ownership and Lease Agreements: Property Rights After a Spouse's Death
Learn how the Supreme Court resolved lease, co-ownership, and property rights disputes after a spouse's death in Uy v. Estate of Vipa Fernandez.
Torrens Title vs Prior Possession: Resolving Ejectment Disputes in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether a Torrens title holder can eject occupants who claim prior possession and ownership.
Implied Trusts Protecting Shared Property Interests Despite Title Registration
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how implied trusts can protect co-ownership rights even when property titles name only one person.
Implied Trusts and Co-Ownership: Hidden Property Rights in Family Lending Businesses
When a family lending business buys property under one sibling's name, an implied trust may preserve everyone's share.
Reconveyance and Land Ownership: Proving Ownership in Land Disputes
The Supreme Court nullified a provincial government's levy and auction of NPC properties, clarifying franchise tax rules under EPIRA.
Reconveyance Actions: Proving Ownership Is Key to Reclaiming Property
The Supreme Court clarifies that a reconveyance action fails without proof of ownership, as shown in Yabut v. Alcantara.
Double Sale of Land: Good Faith and Prior Registration Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies double sale rules: good faith and registration determine ownership of land sold twice.
Accretion vs. Reclamation: Philippine Supreme Court Rules on Artificial Land Claims
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that artificially filled land is not accretion under Article 457, settling ownership disputes over man-made extensions.
Acquiring Public Land: Open Possession Since 1945 and the Right to Compensation
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when long possession of public land can ripen into ownership and entitle a claimant to just compensation.
Foreign Ownership in Public Utilities: The High Court Defines "Capital"
The Supreme Court clarifies that Under the Constitution
Due Process and Co-Ownership Rights in Non-Profit Organizations and Corporate Asset Transfers
Supreme Court ruling on void mortgages over deceased co-owner's share, good faith purchasers, and co-ownership rights in property transfers.
Good Faith VS Fencing: When A Notarized Affidavit Protects Purchasers
The Supreme Court acquits a buyer of a Komatsu grader, ruling that a notarized affidavit of ownership can overcome the presumption of fencing under PD 1612.
Res Judicata in Estate Proceedings: Teng v. Ting on Re-Litigating Ownership
The Supreme Court in Teng v. Ting bars re-litigating ownership in estate cases once a prior final judgment has settled the issue.
Supervening Events and Boracay Land Claims: Heirs of Maravilla v. Tupas
A Supreme Court ruling on how the Boracay ownership decision stopped execution of a final judgment, explained for property owners.
Constitutional Ban on Land Ownership: Filipino Spouses and Foreign Nationals
The Supreme Court rules that land bought for a foreigner and titled in a Filipino spouse's name is void, reaffirming the constitutional ban.
Co-Ownership Rights and Partition Agreements: Understanding the Bulalacao-Soriano v. Papina Decision
A co-owner cannot sell a specific portion of common property; only co-owners may validly enter into partition agreements. Learn the rules.
Possession vs Ownership: Resolving Land Disputes in Ejectment Cases
In ejectment cases, physical possession matters more than ownership. The Supreme Court explains in Echanes v. Hailar.
Ejectment Cases: Proving Tolerance and the Limits of Possession Claims
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on unlawful detainer, tolerance, and why ownership claims don't decide who keeps physical possession.
Torrens Title vs Actual Possession: Ownership Rights in Unlawful Detainer Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how Torrens title and actual possession affect unlawful detainer cases, explained in plain language.
The Right to Intervene: Protecting Ownership in Criminal Proceedings
When can a property owner intervene in a criminal case? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on intervention under Rule 19.