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.
SEC Quasi-Legislative Power: When Courts Can Review Agency Regulations
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may review SEC regulations and why injunctions against the agency were improper in the PSE voting rights case.
Third-Party Claims in Labor Disputes: Protecting Assets from Wrongful Levy
Learn how the Supreme Court protects third-party asset owners from wrongful levy in labor dispute executions, and the proper remedies available.
When a Missing Estate Administrator Does Not Void a Contract Case: Heirs of Manzano v. Kinsonic
The Supreme Court clarifies when the absence of an estate administrator is not fatal to a contract dispute, distinguishing indispensable from necessary parties.
When Can a Mother Challenge Child Legitimacy in the Philippines? The Ordoña Ruling
A mother cannot collaterally attack her child's legitimacy under Philippine law. The Supreme Court's Ordoña ruling explains why.
Mortgagee in Good Faith in the Philippines: What Jimenez v. Jimenez, Jr. Means for Property Owners
Learn how the mortgagee in good faith doctrine protects lenders and foreclosure buyers in the Philippines, explained through the Jimenez case.
Marriage Nullity and Estate Settlement: Jurisdiction and Standing Under Philippine Law
Learn how Philippine courts handle marriage nullity and estate settlement, including who has legal standing to challenge a marriage's validity.
Overlapping Land Titles in the Philippines: Priority of Registration and Legal Remedies
When two titles cover the same land, the earlier registered title prevails. Learn the rules and remedies in Philippine property disputes.
Torrens Title vs. Possession: When a Registered Owner Prevails in Land Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when a Torrens title prevails over possession claims in accion publiciana cases, reaffirming the indefeasibility of registered land titles.
Quieting of Title in the Philippines: Direct vs. Collateral Attacks Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies when challenging a land title's validity is a direct attack, not a collateral one, in quieting of title cases.
Overlapping Land Titles: Prior Certificate Prevails in Philippine Law
When two land titles cover the same property, the earlier certificate generally prevails. Learn the rule and its limits.
Real Actions and Jurisdiction: Why Assessed Value Determines the Correct Philippine Court
In real actions, the property's assessed value determines which court has jurisdiction. Omitting it can doom the case.
MERALCO Rate Case: Supreme Court Upholds ERC’s Shift to Performance-Based Regulation
Supreme Court affirms ERC’s shift to PBR for setting MERALCO rates, barring collateral attacks on administrative regulations.
Quieting Title vs. Annulment of Title: Key Lessons from Guntalilib v. Dela Cruz
The Supreme Court clarifies when a quieting-of-title action is actually an annulment of title, and why substance prevails over form.
Quieting of Title vs. Annulment of Title: Key Supreme Court Ruling on Land Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when a quieting of title action is actually an annulment of title, and why the substance of a complaint matters.
Can Acquisitive Prescription Defeat a Torrens Title? The Dy v. Yu Ruling
The Supreme Court explains when long-term adverse possession can defeat a Torrens title, despite the system's guarantee of indefeasibility.
Why Torrens Titles Are Indefeasible: Collateral Attacks and Good Faith Buyers
Philippine law protects Torrens titles from collateral attack. Learn the rules on direct challenges, indispensable parties, and good faith buyers.
Unmarried Couples and Property Rights in the Philippines: Proving Co-Ownership
Unmarried couples in the Philippines must prove actual joint contribution to co-own property. Learn the rules from Lacbayan v. Samoy.
HLURB Jurisdiction Over Condominium Disputes: Peralta v. De Leon Explained
Learn how the Supreme Court affirmed HLURB's exclusive jurisdiction over condominium buyer-developer disputes in Peralta v. De Leon.
Can an RTC Annul a DARAB Decision? Jurisdiction in Agrarian Disputes
RTCs generally cannot annul DARAB decisions—they are co-equal bodies. Appeals must go to the Court of Appeals.
Partition Inter Vivos and Torrens Title Protection: Lessons from Zaragoza v. Morgan
Philippine law allows property owners to partition estates during their lifetime, but only if legitimes are respected and titles are challenged directly.
Laches vs. Torrens Title: Why Delay Can Cost You Your Land in the Philippines
A Torrens title is strong but not absolute—unreasonable delay in asserting ownership can lead to losing the property to laches.