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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Land Title Fraud: How to Protect Your Property Rights in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on quieting title and tax declarations, offering key lessons on protecting property rights.
Excluding Heirs in Estate Partition: A Guide to Philippine Succession Law
Learn how the Supreme Court resolved a quieting of title case involving excluded heirs, tax declarations, and property partition in Philippine succession law.
Understanding Fraudulent Property Transfers, Implied Trusts, and Good Faith Buyers in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains when a fraudulent property transfer creates an implied trust and when buyers in good faith are protected under Philippine law.
Voidable vs Void Contracts: What Spousal Consent Means for Property Sales in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies that sales of conjugal property without spousal consent are voidable, not void, under the Civil Code.
Unlawful Detainer vs. Accion Reivindicatoria: Key Differences in Philippine Property Law
Learn the difference between unlawful detainer and accion reivindicatoria in Philippine property law, and when each legal action applies.
Proving a Lost Property Title: Evidence Lessons from a 2021 Supreme Court Ruling
A 2021 Supreme Court ruling clarifies the strict evidence needed to replace a lost property title in the Philippines.
The Maceda Law and Installment Sales: Lessons from Integrated Credit v. Cabreza
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how the Maceda Law governs installment sales of real property and why strict compliance with its rescission rules matters.
Mortgagee in Good Faith in the Philippines: What Jimenez v. Jimenez, Jr. Means for Property Owners
Learn how the mortgagee in good faith doctrine protects lenders and foreclosure buyers in the Philippines, explained through the Jimenez case.
Protecting Conjugal Property from a Spouse’s Personal Debts: Cordova v. Ty Explained
Can creditors seize conjugal property for one spouse’s personal debt? The Supreme Court’s ruling in Cordova v. Ty explains the limits.
Real Property Tax on IPP Power Facilities: EO 173 Condonation and Valid Assessments
Supreme Court clarifies that IPP power facilities under BOT contracts with GOCCs may qualify for EO 173 real property tax reduction and condonation.
Disclosure in Fire Insurance Policies: Avoiding Forfeiture Under the Other Insurance Clause
A fire insurance claim can be forfeited for failing to disclose other policies covering the same property. Learn the rules.
Real Property Tax on Independent Power Producers: Key Lessons from the Nueva Vizcaya Case
The Supreme Court clarifies real property tax rules for independent power producers under BOT contracts with GOCCs.
When a Verbal Land Sale Is Enforceable: The Statute of Frauds Exception
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a verbal sale of real property is enforceable despite the Statute of Frauds, citing partial performance.
Good Faith Purchases and Property Rights: What Buyers Must Prove Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when buyers of registered land are truly "innocent purchasers" and what they must prove to keep property.
Lawyer Client Trust: Fiduciary Duties and Misconduct in Property Transactions
When a lawyer fails to account for client funds in a property transfer, the Supreme Court explains the fiduciary duty and consequences.
Theft by Misappropriation of Found Property: What Philippine Law Requires
Philippine law punishes keeping found property as theft. Learn the finder's duties and key lessons from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Co-Ownership and Property Rights in the Philippines: The Racho Case on Consent
The Supreme Court clarifies when co-owners may sell inherited property and why consent of all heirs is required before partition.
Due Diligence in Property and Payment Transactions: Lessons from a Landmark Fraud Case
A Supreme Court ruling on ghost repairs shows why due diligence in verifying documents is critical before approving payments or entering transactions.
Understanding Property Rights: Land Ownership Extent and Ejectment in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine law defines land ownership extent—surface, subsurface, and airspace—and when ejectment cases apply to structures like firewalls.
Service of Summons and Due Process: A Philippine Property Dispute Lesson
The Supreme Court nullified a property ruling because summons was served at the wrong address, violating due process. Learn the rules.
Understanding Heirs' Obligations in Philippine Property Sales: A Landmark Supreme Court Ruling
Learn how a 2020 Supreme Court ruling clarifies heirs' obligations and foreign will probate requirements in Philippine property sales.
Overlapping Land Titles in the Philippines: Priority of Registration and Legal Remedies
When two titles cover the same land, the earlier registered title prevails. Learn the rules and remedies in Philippine property disputes.
Court Personnel Disbarred for Extorting Litigant Over Court Document
Supreme Court penalizes court interpreter for demanding money to release a litigant's property document, imposing fine and disqualification.
Property Ownership and Adverse Possession: The Supreme Court's Ruling on Deeds and Occupation
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when occupation ripens into ownership, and why a defective deed cannot transfer property rights.