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.
How to Register a Corporation in the Philippines: A Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to register a corporation in the Philippines under the Revised Corporation Code, from name reservation to SEC issuance of the certificate of incorporation.
Corporation vs Partnership in the Philippines: Which Business Structure Is Right for You?
Compare corporation vs partnership in the Philippines: liability, taxes, management, and formation under the Revised Corporation Code and Civil Code.
Doing Business in the Philippines: License Requirements for Foreign Corporations
Learn the license requirements for a foreign corporation doing business in the Philippines under the Revised Corporation Code, including the application process and key compliance steps.
Estate Tax in the Philippines: Rate, Deadlines, and How to Settle an Estate
Learn the estate tax Philippines rate, who pays it, and the steps to file and settle a decedent's estate under the TRAIN Law.
Conjugal vs. Exclusive Property in the Philippines: What Belongs to Whom
Learn the difference between conjugal and exclusive property in the Philippines, and how ownership is determined under Philippine law.
Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate in the Philippines: When and How
Learn when you can use extrajudicial settlement of estate in the Philippines, who can file, and the step-by-step process under Philippine law.
How to File a Small Claims Case in the Philippines
Step-by-step guide on how to file a small claims case in the Philippines for money owed, with practical tips for first-time litigants.
Unlawful Detainer vs. Forcible Entry in the Philippines: Ejectment Cases Explained
Unlawful detainer vs forcible entry in the Philippines: learn the key differences, who files what, and how ejectment cases work.
Bouncing Checks in the Philippines: Criminal Liability Under B.P. 22
Learn what B.P. 22 says about bouncing checks in the Philippines, the penalties for issuing worthless checks, and how complainants can file a criminal case.
Collection of Sum of Money Philippines: Legal Options Explained
Learn the legal options for collection of sum of money in the Philippines, including demand letters, court actions, and enforcement under the Civil Code.
Estate Tax in the Philippines: A Practical Guide for Heirs and Beneficiaries
Learn the Philippine estate tax rules: the 6% rate, deductions, filing deadlines, exemptions, and penalties under the TRAIN Law.
When a Lawyer’s Personal Debt Isn’t Professional Misconduct: Palaganas v. Panganiban
The Supreme Court clarifies that administrative cases against lawyers are for professional misconduct, not debt collection, in Palaganas v. Panganiban.
Can Creditors Garnish Public Officials' Salaries? Supreme Court Says Yes
Public officials' salaries are not exempt from garnishment absent a specific law, the Supreme Court ruled, clarifying the limits of wage protection.
When a Surety Can Escape Liability: Overcoming the Presumption of Regularity
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when sureties can overcome the presumption of regularity attached to notarized continuing suretyship agreements.
Acquitted Corporate Officer Not Civilly Liable for Bouncing Check: Supreme Court Ruling
Supreme Court clarifies that a corporate officer acquitted of BP 22 violations cannot be held civilly liable for the dishonored check's value.
Revival of Judgment in the Philippines: Who Are Indispensable Parties and When to File
Learn the rules on reviving a final judgment in the Philippines, including indispensable parties and the 10-year prescriptive period.
When a Corporate Officer Escapes Civil Liability for a Bounced Check Under BP 22
The Supreme Court clarifies that an acquitted corporate officer cannot be held personally liable for a dishonored corporate check under BP 22.
When Can a Writ of Possession Be Challenged? Property Rights Explained
A recent Supreme Court ruling clarifies when buyers of condominium units or parking slots can challenge a writ of possession issued after foreclosure.
When Banks Can't Apply Loan Payments Across Different Debtors: Corporate Veil Rules
Supreme Court clarifies when a bank may apply a borrower's payment to another's debt, and why corporate separateness limits payment application.
When Can a Bank Apply Your Payment to Another Debt? Supreme Court Rules
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when banks may apply loan payments to other debts, protecting borrowers from unfair payment application.
Foreclosure Suit as Sufficient Demand: Goldland Tower Ruling Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies when filing a foreclosure lawsuit itself serves as the legal demand required to put a debtor in default under Philippine law.
Conjugal Property Presumptions: Protecting Separate Assets from a Spouse's Debts
Learn how the Supreme Court protects separate property from a spouse's debts and what evidence overcomes the conjugal presumption.
Sheriff’s Abuse of Authority: Protecting Your Property Rights in the Philippines
Learn the limits of a sheriff’s authority under Rule 39 and how the Supreme Court protects property rights in Ignacio v. Balading.
When Can a Bank’s Foreclosure Be Annulled? Overpayment and the Duty to Account
The Supreme Court clarifies when a bank’s foreclosure may be annulled due to overpayment or failure to render a full accounting of loan payments.