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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Upholding Agrarian Reform When Can a Final Judgment Be Overturned
The Supreme Court explains when a final judgment can be overturned, applying exceptions to immutability in an agrarian reform case.
When a Sale Among Heirs Can Be Voided: PD 27 and Simulated Land Transfers
Learn when a sale of agrarian reform land among heirs is void under PD 27, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Dela Cruz v. Dumasig.
When Can DAR Disqualify an Agrarian Reform Beneficiary? The Balucan Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies who may file to disqualify an agrarian reform beneficiary and why landowners are not real parties-in-interest.
Timely Filing of Just Compensation Claims Under Philippine Agrarian Law
Learn the 10-year prescriptive period for filing just compensation claims with the Special Agrarian Courts under Philippine agrarian reform law.
Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: Valuing Land at the Time of Taking
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how to value agrarian reform land, emphasizing the time of taking and correct valuation formula.
Agrarian Reform Land Transfer Ban: What Beneficiaries and Buyers Must Know
Supreme Court clarifies the 10-year ban on selling agrarian reform lands, the void sale rule, and the buyer's right to recover payment.
Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: When Courts Can Depart from DAR Formulas
Explains the Supreme Court ruling on just compensation in agrarian reform, when courts may deviate from DAR valuation formulas, and why evidence matters.
Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: When Land Exceeds the Covered Area
The Supreme Court clarifies when sloping land must be excluded from agrarian reform coverage and how just compensation is computed.
Agrarian Reform Land Classification and Just Compensation for Expropriated Lands
Supreme Court clarifies when sloping lands are exempt from CARP coverage and how courts compute just compensation for expropriated properties.
Succession Rights and DAR Secretary's Authority in Agrarian Beneficiary Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies DAR Secretary's exclusive jurisdiction over successor designation in agrarian reform beneficiary disputes, reversing CA ruling.
Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: Why the Valuation Date Matters
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that just compensation in agrarian reform must use the valuation date and DAR formula applicable at the time of taking.
Agrarian Reform Exclusion: Land Must Be Used Exclusively for Livestock Raising
The Supreme Court clarifies when lands may be excluded from CARP coverage for livestock raising and why good faith matters.
Agrarian Reform vs Bank Foreclosure: Protecting Farmer Beneficiaries' Land Rights
Supreme Court voids bank foreclosure of an emancipation patent awarded under agrarian reform, reinforcing the 10-year transfer ban.
When Agrarian Reform Lands Cannot Be Foreclosed: The 10-Year Rule
A Supreme Court ruling on why a rural bank's foreclosure of an agrarian reform beneficiary's land within the 10-year retention period was void.
Upholding Agrarian Reform When Final Judgments Yield to Supervening Social Justice
When a final ejectment judgment clashes with agrarian reform awards, the Supreme Court clarifies when execution may yield to supervening events.
Upholding Agrarian Reform: Supervening CLOA Justifies Deviation from Immutability of Judgment
When a final judgment becomes inequitable due to a supervening event like a CLOA issuance, courts may relax the doctrine of immutability of judgment.
Exemption From Agrarian Reform: Land Reclassification and Its Impact on Property Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies when land reclassified as non-agricultural before 1988 is exempt from CARP coverage, protecting property rights.
Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: How Selling Price Affects Land Valuation
The Supreme Court clarifies how selling price data should be used in computing just compensation for agrarian reform lands.
Land Reclassification and Tenant Redemption Rights Under Philippine Agrarian Reform
How the Supreme Court protected tenant farmers' right of redemption despite failure to tender payment, citing Section 12 of RA 3844.
When Can CLOAs Be Cancelled? A Philippine Supreme Court Guide
The Supreme Court explains when agrarian reform titles (CLOAs) can be cancelled despite indefeasibility, and which tribunal has jurisdiction.
Attorneys Fees in Agrarian Reform Cases: Insights from the Supreme Court
When can CLOAs be cancelled in agrarian reform cases? The Supreme Court clarifies jurisdiction and the limits of indefeasibility of titles.
Land Reclassification and Agrarian Reform Exemptions: A Guide for Property Owners and Farmers
Explaining when land reclassified before June 15, 1988 is exempt from CARP coverage, based on a 2021 Supreme Court ruling.
Unlocking Fair Compensation: How the Philippine Supreme Court Calculates Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform
The Supreme Court clarifies how just compensation is computed in agrarian reform cases, emphasizing data accuracy and timely payment.
Land Reclassification and Zoning Ordinances Prevail Over CARP Coverage
When a local government reclassifies land as non-agricultural before June 15, 1988, and the HLURB ratifies it, the property may be exempt from agrarian reform coverage.