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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Debt Collection in the Philippines for Foreign Creditors: How to Recover
How can a foreign creditor collect a debt in the Philippines? Learn the legal remedies, security interests, and enforcement options under Philippine law.
Asset Recovery and Judgment Enforcement in the Philippines: How Creditors Collect
Asset recovery in the Philippines starts with a final judgment, then enforcement through the Rules of Court to reach a debtor's real, personal, or corporate assets.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lawyer Disbarred for Issuing Dishonored Checks and Evading Debt
Supreme Court disbars lawyer for issuing worthless checks and refusing to pay debt, affirming that dishonesty in personal dealings warrants the ultimate penalty.
Alias Writs of Execution: When Can a Second Debt Collection Attempt Be Stopped?
Learn the rules on alias writs of execution in the Philippines, the limited grounds to oppose them, and key lessons from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
When Silence Isn't Golden: Novation and Debtor Substitution in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when a creditor's silence or acceptance of payments amounts to novation and debtor substitution.
Enforcing Debt Obligations: Promissory Notes and Checks as Evidence in Sales Transactions
Supreme Court rules promissory notes and dishonored checks can prove a sale and enforce payment, reversing the Court of Appeals.
When Is a Family Home Exempt from Execution? Key Lessons from Taruc v. Maximo
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a family home is exempt from execution and what evidence a judgment debtor must present to claim the exemption.
Sovereign Debt vs Constitutional Mandates: Balancing Loan Agreements With National Interests
The Supreme Court upheld two China-financed loan agreements, ruling on presidential immunity, Monetary Board concurrence, and procurement rules.
Rehabilitation Plans and Creditor Rights: When Debt Restructuring Binds Secured Creditors
When can a rehabilitation plan force creditors to accept debt restructuring? The Supreme Court explains in China Banking v. St. Francis Square.
Corporate Rehabilitation Mootness: When a Dispute Ends with Successful Rehabilitation
The Supreme Court dismisses a dispute over a rehabilitation receiver's powers as moot after the debtor's successful exit from corporate rehabilitation.
Lawyer Suspended Five Years for Issuing Worthless Checks and Neglecting Professional Duties
A lawyer who issued bounced checks for decades-old debts and ignored disciplinary orders was suspended for five years and fined P10,000.
Upholding COA Authority: PDIC Condonation of Bank Debts Disallowed
Supreme Court affirms COA disallowance of PDIC's P1.98 billion condonation and write-off of bank debts, holding PDIC Board liable.
Equitable Interest: How Liquidating Dividends Impact Foreign Land Ownership in the Philippines
SC ruling on whether a foreign stockholder's liquidating dividends in Philippine land may be levied to satisfy judgment debts.
Mutuality of Contracts and Foreclosure Rights in Philippine Loans
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that void interest stipulations do not invalidate foreclosure when the principal debt remains unpaid.
Corporate Veil and Judgment Execution: Can a Successor Corporation Be Held Liable?
When a judgment debtor's assets pass to another corporation, can the winner enforce the judgment against the successor? The Supreme Court explains.
Examining Judgment Debtors: How Courts Can Enforce Judgments Against Elusive Corporations
Winning a lawsuit is only half the battle. Learn how Philippine courts can examine corporate officers to enforce judgments against elusive debtors.
Spousal Liability for Debts in the Philippines: The Zapanta Case Explained
When can one spouse be held liable for the other's debts? The Supreme Court's ruling in Zapanta v. Rustan clarifies the rules on family property liability.
Fraud and Writs of Preliminary Attachment: Lessons from a Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
When does non-payment of a debt amount to fraud justifying a writ of preliminary attachment? A recent Supreme Court ruling provides clear guidance.
When Foreclosure Is Valid Despite Pending Labor Case: HSBC v. Galang
The Supreme Court clarifies when a lender may foreclose despite a pending illegal dismissal case, applying debtor-creditor rules.