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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Divorce Recognition in the Philippines: Navigating Foreign Judgments and Civil Status Changes
The Supreme Court clarifies the proper procedure for recognizing foreign divorce decrees and changing civil status in the Philippines.
Correcting a Title’s Civil Status: When a Full Court Hearing Is Required
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when changing a name or marital status on a Torrens title needs a full adversarial hearing, not summary correction.
Legitimacy vs Illegitimacy: Change of Civil Status Requires Rule 108 Proceedings
Changing a child's status from legitimate to illegitimate is a substantial alteration requiring strict Rule 108 compliance, not a simple name change.
Compromise Agreements and Illegitimate Filiation: When Settlements Violate Public Policy
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: compromise agreements on filiation and civil status are void. Learn the public policy limits on settlements.
Integrity Under Oath: Falsification of Official Documents in the Philippine Judiciary
A court stenographer's false declaration of civil status in official documents leads to a finding of dishonesty and a P40,000 fine.