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.
Proving Filiation for Inheritance: Delayed Birth Registration in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how delayed birth registrations and other evidence establish filiation for inheritance claims in the Philippines.
Prescription in Property Disputes: Clarifying the Need for Trial on the Merits in Reconveyance Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when prescription bars reconveyance actions and why trial on the merits remains essential in property disputes.
Establishing Filiation: Why Paternity Proof Is Critical in Inheritance Claims
The Supreme Court clarifies that a birth certificate alone cannot prove paternity for inheritance claims unless the alleged father participated in its preparation.
DNA Evidence and Presumption of Legitimacy: Filiation Rights in the Philippines
The Supreme Court ruled DNA evidence can establish filiation despite the presumption of legitimacy, prioritizing the child's best interests.
Proving Legitimate Filiation: Key to Winning Philippine Inheritance Claims
Learn how the Supreme Court's ruling in Bernardo v. Fernando clarifies what evidence proves legitimate filiation for inheritance claims.
Correcting Birth Certificate Errors: Why Impleading Indispensable Parties Matters
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains why correcting birth certificate errors requires impleading all affected parties under Rule 108.
Proving Filiation After Death: The Strict Rules on Inheritance Claims
Philippine law sets strict evidence rules for proving filiation after a parent's death. Learn what the Supreme Court requires in inheritance disputes.
Baptismal Certificates and Filiation: Proving Legal Parentage in Inheritance Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that baptismal and marriage certificates alone cannot prove filiation for inheritance claims, citing Family Code rules.
Children's Surnames: Illegitimate Child's Right to Choose After Father's Recognition
Supreme Court rules an acknowledged illegitimate child may choose whether to use the father's surname; the father cannot compel it.
Litis Pendentia vs. Separate Causes of Action: A Philippine Civil Law Primer
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when two suits involve the same cause of action, distinguishing litis pendentia from separate proceedings.
Tax Declaration vs Title: Resolving Property Disputes in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how tax declarations, birth certificates, and deeds of sale affect property ownership disputes between heirs.
Valid Substituted Service and Child Support Rights in Philippine Family Law
Supreme Court ruling on valid substituted service of summons for OFW parents and the right of illegitimate children to support.
SSS Death Benefits: Proving Spousal and Child Dependency in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on SSS death benefit claims, focusing on proving dependency for spouses and legitimacy for children.
Establishing Filiation: The Imperative of Conclusive Evidence in Inheritance Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on proving filiation in inheritance cases, highlighting the need for conclusive evidence and final judgments.
When a Child Is Taken: Proving Parentage in Habeas Corpus Cases
The Supreme Court explains how courts determine a child's identity and parentage in habeas corpus custody disputes.
Establishing Paternity in the Philippines: Evidence Beyond DNA
How Philippine courts prove paternity without DNA tests, using letters, birth certificates, and conduct, as shown in Pe Lim v. Court of Appeals.