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.
Dinagat Islands Case: Supreme Court on Province Creation Requirements
The Supreme Court's Dinagat Islands ruling clarifies the constitutional and statutory requirements for creating a new province in the Philippines.
Lost Land Title Petitions: Court Limits, Due Diligence, and Protecting Property Rights
Learn how Philippine courts handle petitions for new owner's duplicate titles, including jurisdictional limits, due diligence duties, and key lessons from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Prior Physical Possession Is Key in Forcible Entry Cases: Abad v. Farrales
Learn why prior physical possession, not ownership, decides forcible entry cases under Philippine law, based on Abad v. Farrales.
Certiorari and Evidence: Court of Appeals Can Receive New Proof in Special Civil Actions
When may the Court of Appeals admit new evidence in a certiorari case? The Supreme Court clarifies in this foreclosure dispute.
Partnership vs. Loan in the Philippines: Profit-Sharing Terms Still Bind
Philippine courts look beyond contract labels to determine if a deal is a partnership or loan—but agreed profit-sharing terms remain enforceable either way.
Managerial Employees and Overtime Pay in the Philippines: The Clientlogic Case
Who counts as a managerial employee exempt from overtime pay? The Supreme Court's Clientlogic ruling clarifies the test.
Just Compensation in Land Reform: Ensuring Fair Value for Agricultural Landowners in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how just compensation is computed for agricultural landowners under CARP, including DAR formula rules and compensable areas.
Land Sale Contracts in the Philippines: Ensuring Object Certainty and Navigating Legal Heirs
A Supreme Court ruling on forged land sales, object certainty, and the rights of legal heirs in Philippine property disputes.
Forged Deeds and Disputed Titles: How Philippine Courts Determine Land Ownership
A Supreme Court ruling explains how courts resolve land ownership disputes when a deed of sale is alleged to be forged.
Bigamy in the Philippines: When a Second Marriage Is Void From the Start
Philippine law voids any second marriage contracted while a prior civil marriage subsists. Learn the rules, limits of Muslim divorce, and who may sue.
SSS Death Benefits: Does Legal Separation Bar a Spouse’s Claim?
Legal marriage alone does not guarantee SSS death benefits—surviving spouses must prove actual dependency, especially after separation.
Credible Testimony Prevails Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Lack of Medical Evidence
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on victim's credible testimony, ruling medical evidence of penetration is not indispensable.
When Does DARAB Have Jurisdiction Over Agrarian Disputes? The Bagongahasa Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies DARAB's jurisdiction over CLOA cancellation cases, emphasizing the need for an agrarian dispute involving tenancy relations.
Can Landowners Force Water Disconnection for Informal Settlers? Supreme Court Says No
The Supreme Court ruled landowners cannot compel water utilities to disconnect services to informal settlers, balancing property rights with essential services.
Exclusive Franchises and Public Utilities: Constitutional Limits in the Philippines
The Supreme Court struck down Section 47 of PD 198 as unconstitutional, reaffirming that exclusive franchises for public utilities are prohibited by the Constitution.
Upholding Legal Ethics Attorneys Must Respect THE LAW AND Legal Processes
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on co-ownership, Torrens titles, and partition actions in Lacbayan v. Samoy.
Proving Alienable and Disposable Land Status in Philippine Registration Cases
Philippine land registration requires proof of alienable and disposable status through DENR certification, not just survey plans.
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.
Understanding Land Ownership Restrictions Under Philippine Agrarian Reform: The Lebrudo vs Loyola Case
The Supreme Court explains the 10-year ban on selling or transferring agrarian reform lands, and why waivers violating it are void.
When Quitclaims and Waivers Over Agrarian Land Are Void: Lessons from Lebrudo v. Loyola
Philippine Supreme Court explains when waivers over agrarian reform land are void, protecting farmer-beneficiaries from losing their awarded property.
Judicial Propriety and Impartiality: Lessons from a Family Court Judge’s Administrative Case
A Supreme Court ruling reminds judges to avoid impropriety, intemperate language, and bias in the discharge of judicial duties.
Court Employee Disciplined for Interfering with Execution of Judgment
A court records officer was fined P5,000 for using her position to stop a sheriff's sale execution on behalf of a friend, violating the Code of Conduct for Court Personnel.
Upholding Judicial Dignity: Balancing Free Speech and Respect for Courts in Legal Commentary
How the Supreme Court disciplined UP Law professors for intemperate statements, balancing lawyers' free speech with their duty to uphold judicial dignity.
Overpricing and Accountability: The COA's Role in Ensuring Prudent Government Spending
How the Commission on Audit ensures prudent government spending, and what the Supreme Court says about overpricing and public accountability.