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.
When Lawyers Serve Two Masters: Ethical Violations in Land Deals and Public Office
The Supreme Court suspended a lawyer-mayor for helping circumvent land ownership rules and practicing law while in public office.
Can Religious Corporations Own Land in the Philippines? The RVM Case Explained
Learn how the Supreme Court's RVM ruling clarifies constitutional limits on religious corporations acquiring public land in the Philippines.
Reclaimed Lands and Constitutional Limits: The Central Bay Case on Corporate Land Ownership
The Supreme Court voids a compromise agreement transferring reclaimed land to a private corporation's assignee, upholding constitutional bans on corporate land ownership.
Proper Party in Reversion Cases: AFAB v. F.F. Cruz and State Ownership of Public Lands
When can a government agency sue to cancel titles over public lands? The Supreme Court clarifies reversion actions and real party in interest rules.
Property Rights vs. Military Reservations: The Balmaceda Case on Void Titles
A landmark Supreme Court ruling on why titles tracing back to cancelled certificates cannot defeat the government's claim over military reservations.
Land Title Registration: Proving Government Approval and Continuous Possession
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies what evidence proves land is alienable and disposable, plus continuous possession for registration.
Regalian Doctrine and Land Registration: Proving Alienable and Disposable Land
Learn how the Regalian doctrine affects land registration in the Philippines, and why applicants must prove land is alienable and disposable.
Perfecting Land Titles: Possession Requirements for Public Land Registration in the Philippines
Understand the possession rules for registering public land under PD 1529, including the June 12, 1945 requirement clarified by the Supreme Court.
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.
When Presidential Power Meets University Autonomy: The CMU Land Case
The Supreme Court struck down a presidential proclamation taking state university land for IP distribution, affirming academic autonomy and vested property rights.
Upholding Public Land Rights Denying Land Registration Within Military Reservations
Supreme Court affirms that lands inside military reservations and forest lands are inalienable public domain, not registrable.
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.
Conditional Sales and Inheritance Rights: Resolving Land Ownership Disputes in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts resolve land disputes involving conditional sales, inheritance, and registration requirements under the Public Land Act.
Public Land vs Private Claim: Military Reservations and the Limits of Land Acquisition in the Philippines
The Supreme Court voids a title over land inside Fort Bonifacio, ruling military reservations are inalienable public land.
Estoppel Against the Philippine Government: When It Does Not Apply in Land Registration Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when the government cannot be estopped from challenging void land registration judgments, even after decades of delay.
Reclaimed Lands and the Constitution: Limits on Government Transfers to Private Corporations
The Supreme Court voids a land reclamation deal transferring public lands to a private corporation, reaffirming constitutional limits on alienable lands.
Filing Deadlines vs Public Interest: SC Ruling on Foreshore Land Reversion
Supreme Court ruling on whether the OSG's late appeal brief should be excused when foreshore land reversion involves public interest.