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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Unmarried Couples Property Rights Understanding Co-Ownership in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine law treats property acquired by unmarried couples, including co-ownership rules, rights, and practical implications.
Unmarried Cohabitation and Property Rights in the Philippines: A Comprehensive Guide
Learn how Philippine law treats property acquired during unmarried cohabitation, including co-ownership rules, judicial separation, and practical legal tips.
Adverse Claims vs. Levy on Execution: Protecting Property Rights in the Philippines
Learn when an adverse claim can defeat a levy on execution in Philippine property law, based on a 2006 Supreme Court ruling.
Res Judicata in Philippine Land Disputes: Why a Reconstitution Case Doesn't Block Ownership Claims
A title reconstitution case doesn't settle ownership. Learn how res judicata applies in Philippine land disputes and protects your property rights.
Easement of Right of Way: Balancing Access and Property Rights in Subdivision Developments
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies temporary easement rules for subdivision access, distinguishing preliminary injunctions from permanent rights of way.
Reconstitution of Titles: Verifying Authenticity and Protecting Property Rights
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies judicial reconstitution of lost titles under RA 26, emphasizing owner's duplicate authenticity and jurisdictional requirements.
Sellers Beware: Ethical Duties When Assigning Property Rights You Don't Fully Own
A lawyer-seller assigned a townhouse he hadn't fully paid for. The Supreme Court suspended him for three years, reminding sellers of their ethical duties.
Void Contracts and Ejectment: Property Rights in the Philippines
When a contract is void from the start, it cannot support an ejectment suit. Learn the legal rules from a Philippine Supreme Court case.
When Void Contracts Cannot Support Ejectment: Republic v. La'o
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on void contracts under RA 3019 and their effect on ejectment cases and property rights.
Preliminary Injunctions in Foreclosure Cases: Protecting Your Property Rights
Learn how the City of Caloocan v. Gotesco case clarifies the rules on preliminary injunctions and forum-shopping in property disputes.
Final Judgments and Land Disputes: Why Courts Stand Firm on Settled Property Rights
Learn why Philippine courts uphold final judgments in land disputes, protecting settled property rights from endless litigation.
Protecting Your Property Rights: Contract Cancellation in Philippine Real Estate
Learn how RA 6552 protects installment buyers and why procedural rules matter in contract cancellation cases under Philippine law.
Private Land vs Public Grant: Understanding Property Rights and Free Patents in the Philippines
When a court decree vests private ownership, the land leaves the public domain and cannot be subjected to a free patent. This case explains why.
Mining Rights vs Property Rights: Balancing Public Benefit and Just Compensation
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on the Mining Act of 1995, explaining when entry into private lands becomes compensable taking.
Forged Deeds and Property Rights: Protecting Your Land Title in the Philippines
A forged deed cannot transfer ownership. Learn how Philippine courts protect registered landowners from fraudulent sales.
Unveiling Implied Trust: How Purchase Money Defines Property Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court explains purchase money resulting trust under Article 1448, Civil Code, and its effect on donations of property.
Genuine Necessity in Eminent Domain: Understanding Property Rights in the Philippines
The Supreme Court defines "genuine necessity" in expropriation cases and protects property rights against arbitrary government taking.
Equitable Mortgage vs Absolute Sale: Protecting Your Property Rights in the Philippines
When is a deed of absolute sale actually an equitable mortgage? Philippine law protects borrowers who sign sale documents to secure loans.
Upholding Intellectual Property Rights: The Supreme Court's Stance on Jurisdiction and Special Courts
The Supreme Court affirms RTC jurisdiction over IP violations and the validity of administrative orders designating special intellectual property courts.
Eminent Domain and Injunction: Protecting Property Rights in the Philippines
Explore how the Supreme Court protected a registered landowner's rights against the government's expropriation claim in Federated Realty v. Republic.
Torrens Title vs Adverse Possession: Protecting Property Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies how registered land under the Torrens system is protected against adverse possession claims.
Protecting Property Rights: Third-Party Claims in Attachment Proceedings
Learn how third-party claimants must protect property rights in attachment cases under Rule 57, as clarified by the Supreme Court.
Tax Sale Invalidity: Strict Compliance With Notice Requirements Protects Property Rights
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how failure to give proper notice in tax delinquency sales invalidates the sale and protects property owners' rights.
Conjugal Property Rights: Wife's Timely Action Required to Contest Husband's Sale
A wife who fails to contest her husband's unauthorized sale of conjugal property within ten years may lose her right to invalidate the transaction.