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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Due Process and Good Faith: When Clubs Cannot Foreclose on Membership Shares
Supreme Court rules a non-stock club's sale of a member's share for unpaid dues violated due process and good faith.
Year-End Benefits in Government Agencies: Balancing Statutory Limits and Employee Welfare
Supreme Court ruling on year-end benefits for government board members and consultants, balancing statutory limits with good faith.
Good Faith and Land Sales: Protecting the True Landowner in Philippine Property Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that Torrens titles are not proof of ownership, and that a Filipino buyer can cure a flawed land sale from an alien.
Navigating Appeals: Jurisdictional Errors and Lost Rights in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling on res judicata, indispensable parties, and mortgagee good faith in property disputes.
Reconveyance Actions and Good Faith: Clarifying Property Rights in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains res judicata and good faith in reconveyance actions, protecting banks that rely on court-issued titles.
Forged Deeds and Good Faith Purchasers: Protecting Land Ownership in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when a forged deed can still produce a valid title—and when buyers lose the protection of the Torrens system.
Lease vs. Good Faith: When Hotel Improvements Don't Mean Ownership Rights
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that lessees are not builders in good faith, limiting their rights to Article 1678 reimbursement.
Proving Fraud and Conspiracy in Civil Cases: The Dutch Boy Philippines Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies the evidentiary standard for proving fraud and conspiracy in civil cases, emphasizing preponderance of evidence and the presumption of good faith.
Victory Liner v. Race: Good Faith Can Limit Backwages in Illegal Dismissal Cases
When an employer acts in good faith, an illegally dismissed employee may receive limited backwages instead of full backwages.
Shareholder Inspection Rights and the Good Faith Defense Under Section 74
The Supreme Court clarifies when a corporation may refuse a shareholder's demand to inspect books without facing criminal liability.
Reversion of Land: Balancing State Ownership and Good Faith Improvements
When land reverts to the State, what happens to improvements planted in good faith? The Supreme Court provides guidance.
Mortgage Validity Good Faith Requirement When Dealing With Agents
Adverse Claims and Good Faith: Protecting Prior Rights in Property Sales
When an adverse claim annotated on a title protects a prior buyer against a later attaching creditor, and why good faith matters.
Good Faith and Land Titles: How Innocent Purchasers Are Protected Under Philippine Law
Learn how Philippine law protects innocent purchasers of land, the role of good faith in property transactions, and key legal safeguards.
Good Faith vs Public Interest: How the Supreme Court Resolves Philippine Land Title Disputes
A 2008 Supreme Court ruling shows why a buyer's claim of good faith cannot defeat the State's right to reclaim fraudulently acquired public land.
Lis Pendens and Fraudulent Patents: When a Buyer Is Not in Good Faith
The Supreme Court explains when a notice of lis pendens defeats a claim of good faith purchase of registered land.
Good Faith Purchasers and Notarized Documents in Philippine Property Sales
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling on buyer in good faith protection and reliance on notarized board resolutions in property transactions.
No Back Salaries for Government Employees Dismissed in Good Faith: Protecting Public Funds
Supreme Court rules government employees dismissed in good faith are not entitled to back salaries upon reinstatement, upholding Octot v. Ybañez.
Overseas Litigants and the Verification Requirement: Balancing Rules With Reality
The Supreme Court rules that a variance in dates between a petition and its verification is not fatal when overseas litigants act in good faith.
Fraud Voids Titles Good Faith Purchaser Loses TO Torrens System Integrity
When forged court documents produce a Torrens title, even a buyer for value cannot keep the land, the Supreme Court ruled.
When a Financing Company Is Not a Mortgagee in Good Faith: Lloyd's Enterprises v. Dolleton
A financing firm that failed to inspect a mortgaged property cannot claim good faith. Learn the due diligence rule from this 2008 case.
Good Faith and the Exercise of Legal Rights: When Demands for Rent Don't Amount to Abuse of Rights
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that sending demand letters to assert property rights, done in good faith, is not an abuse of rights under Article 19 of the Civil Code.
Voiding Land Deals Fraud AND THE Limits OF Good Faith Acquisition IN Philippine Property LAW
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when writs of execution may be void and the limits of procedural due process in property disputes.
Good Faith Defense in Anti-Graft Cases for Withholding Employee Benefits
When does withholding salaries become graft? The Supreme Court explains good faith and undue injury under RA 3019.