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.
When Can an Agent Delegate Authority? The Rule on Substitution Under Philippine Law
Philippine law presumes an agent may appoint a substitute unless prohibited. Learn the rules, limits, and risks from a Supreme Court ruling.
Compulsory vs. Permissive Counterclaims: What Philippine Litigants Must Know
Learn the difference between compulsory and permissive counterclaims in Philippine courts, including docket fees, forum shopping, and the Alba v. Malapajo ruling.
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.
Ensuring Access: The Indispensable Right to a Legal Easement of Right of Way
When a property becomes landlocked through no fault of its owner, Philippine law grants a legal easement of right of way. Learn the rules from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Franchise Tax vs Real Property Tax: Clarifying NGCP's Tax Liabilities
Supreme Court clarifies when NGCP's franchise tax covers real property taxes and when local governments may still collect them.
Caveat Emptor in Philippine Real Estate: Why Buyers Must Verify Title Before Purchase
The Supreme Court's Ranara ruling shows why buyers must verify property titles—failure to do so can mean losing both the purchase price and improvements.
Forged Deeds and Imprescriptible Rights: Protecting Land Ownership in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on forged deeds, land ownership protection, and the limits of prescription in property disputes.
Chattel Mortgage Foreclosure: Lender's Duty After Repossession in the Philippines
Learn the lender's obligations after chattel mortgage foreclosure and repossession in the Philippines, including redemption rights and borrower protections.
Substitution of Parties: Due Process Prevails Despite Procedural Lapses in Estate Cases
Philippine Supreme Court rules that failure to formally substitute deceased parties is not fatal when heirs actively participate in the case.
Heirs Obligations Settling Debts Before Inheritance Distribution
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on heirs' duty to settle decedent's debts before inheritance distribution, including interest rules.
Surety Liability After Foreclosure: Carodan v. China Banking Corporation
When a bank releases a principal debtor's collateral, a surety may still be liable for the deficiency if the surety agreement expressly allows it.
Corporate Rehabilitation Venue and Joint Petitions Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies venue rules for corporate rehabilitation and disallows joint petitions by separate corporations under the Interim Rules.
Unpaid Purchase Price: When a Deed of Absolute Sale Is Void for Lack of Consideration
A deed of sale without actual payment is void from the start. Learn the Supreme Court's ruling and key lessons.
Can a University Be Bound by Unauthorized Mortgages? Corporate Authority Explained
When can a corporation be bound by an officer's unauthorized acts? The Supreme Court explains in University of Mindanao v. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
Defining Construction Cost Interest Expenses and Reserved Units in Joint Development Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies what counts as actual construction cost in joint development agreements, excluding interest expenses from the computation.
Finality Prevails: Understanding the Limits of Annulment of Judgment in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when annulment of judgment is available, distinguishing lack of jurisdiction from errors in exercising jurisdiction.
Navigating the Chain: Establishing Drug Possession and Extortion Defenses in Philippine Law
A look at how Philippine courts weigh buy-bust evidence, chain of custody, and the disfavored defense of extortion in drug cases.
Limits of a General Power of Attorney Authority to Sell Real Property in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a general power of attorney does not authorize an agent to sell real property without a special power of attorney.
Upholding Civil Liability: Death Does Not Erase Debt in B.P. 22 Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that criminal liability for B.P. 22 does not extinguish civil liability, which survives the offender's death.
Corporate Asset Transfers: When Does a Buyer Inherit the Seller's Liabilities
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a corporation buying all assets of another also inherits its liabilities, under Section 40.
Perfecting Appeals in Special Proceedings: Why the Record on Appeal Matters
In special proceedings like estate settlement, failing to file a record on appeal is fatal. Learn the rules and avoid losing your appeal.
Breach of Contract and the Limits of Bank Manager Authority: Apparent Authority in Real Estate Transactions
When does a bank branch manager's promise bind the bank? The Supreme Court explains apparent authority in Games and Garments Developers, Inc. v. Allied Banking Corporation.
Mortgage Foreclosure Absence of Special Power to Sell Invalidates Extrajudicial Proceedings
Philippine Supreme Court rules that extrajudicial foreclosure requires a special power to sell inserted in or attached to the mortgage deed, otherwise the proceedings are void.
Mortgage Nullification and Condominium Buyer Protection: Balancing Rights and Obligations
Supreme Court clarifies that a condominium buyer can nullify a mortgage only insofar as it affects their unit, not the entire mortgage.