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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Import Restrictions and Preliminary Injunctions: Lessons from Alcala v. Carpio
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may issue preliminary injunctions against customs seizures of rice imports lacking NFA permits.
Valuing Just Compensation: The Time of Taking and Factors Under CARP Law
The Supreme Court clarifies how just compensation for CARP-acquired lands is valued—at the time of taking, using Section 17 factors.
When a Land Dispute Is Not an Agrarian Dispute: DAR v. Lapanday Foods
The Supreme Court clarifies when disputes over CARP lands are civil cases, not agrarian disputes, in DAR v. Lapanday Foods.
When Agrarian Disputes Are Really Contract Cases: DAR v. Lapanday Foods
The Supreme Court clarifies when disputes over CARP lands are ordinary contract cases, not agrarian disputes under DAR jurisdiction.
Lawyer Disbarred for Breach of Trust in Sale of CARP-Awarded Land
Supreme Court fines disbarred lawyer P100,000 for selling clients' CARP-awarded land without consent, violating fiduciary duties.
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.
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.
Heirs of Landowners Under CARP: No Separate Retention Rights After 1988
Supreme Court rules heirs of landowners who died after 1988 cannot claim separate retention rights under CARP; only the decedent's five-hectare limit applies.
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.
When CLOAs Can Be Cancelled: Due Process and Landowner Retention Rights in CARP
The Supreme Court ruled that CLOAs may be cancelled when landowners' due process and retention rights are violated during CARP implementation.
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.
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.
The Condonation Doctrine After Carpio Morales: What It Means for Public Officials
The Supreme Court clarifies when the abandoned condonation doctrine still shields re-elected officials from administrative liability.
Navigating Land Acquisition Under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program: Understanding Jurisdictional Limi
A landowner's challenge to CARP coverage and valuation fails because he used the wrong remedy, missing the deadline to file with the Special Agrarian Court.
The Condonation Doctrine After Carpio-Morales: Recall Elections and the Cutoff Date
The Supreme Court clarifies when the abandoned condonation doctrine still applies and confirms it covers recall elections.
Just Compensation in CARP Cases: When Courts Must Follow the DAR Formula
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when Special Agrarian Courts may deviate from the DAR valuation formula in determining just compensation under CARP.
Land Use Reclassification vs. Agrarian Reform: When LGU Zoning Does Not Remove CARP Coverage
The Supreme Court clarifies that LGU land use reclassification alone does not exempt agricultural land from CARP coverage—DAR conversion is still required.
Just Compensation Under CARP: Fair Market Value and Timely Payment Rules
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how to compute just compensation for agrarian reform lands, including the correct time of taking and interest on delayed payment.
Land Reclassification and Agrarian Reform: Balancing Local Zoning With Farmer Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies when local zoning reclassification removes land from CARP coverage, protecting farmer-beneficiary rights.
Just Compensation Under CARP: Courts Must Follow DAR Valuation Formulas
Courts must adhere to DAR valuation formulas in CARP land compensation cases unless they clearly explain reasons for deviation, as shown in this ruling.
Fair Compensation for Agricultural Land Under CARP: Apo Fruits v. LBP
The Supreme Court clarifies how courts determine just compensation for agricultural land taken under CARP, and when interest starts to run.
Just Compensation Under CARP: Balancing DAR Formulas and Fair Market Value
Supreme Court clarifies when courts may deviate from DAR valuation formulas in agrarian reform just compensation cases.
When Courts Cannot Stop Agrarian Reform: The Antig v. Antipuesto Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of Special Agrarian Court jurisdiction and the absolute ban on injunctions against DAR in CARP implementation.
Just Compensation Under CARP: Valuing Land at the Time of Taking
The Supreme Court clarifies that just compensation for CARP-acquired land is valued at the time of taking, guided by Section 17 factors and DAR formulas.