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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When a Parent Pays for Property in a Child's Name: Implied Trusts vs. Presumed Donations
Philippine law presumes a donation when a parent pays for property titled in a child's name. Learn how to overturn this presumption.
Conditional Donations: Substantial Compliance and Donor Intent in Land Donations
Supreme Court clarifies that substantial compliance with a donation's primary purpose, not perfect performance, governs conditional land donations.
Prescription Prevails Upholding Land Title Integrity Against Delayed Claims
Supreme Court rules on property relations, donations between spouses, and heirs' rights in partition of land acquired during marriage.
Onerous Donations: When Failure to Fulfill Conditions Leads to Revocation
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when failure to fulfill onerous donation conditions justifies revocation, and the prescriptive period for such actions.
Corporation By Estoppel: When Unregistered Entities Can Receive Valid Donations
Philippine law on corporation by estoppel and donations to unregistered entities, explained with practical guidance for donors and recipients.
Revoking Donations: The Imperative of Fulfilled Conditions in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when donations may be revoked for non-fulfillment of conditions, and the legal consequences.
Homeowners Rights vs Church Construction: Open Space Donation Validity
Supreme Court rules on open space donations in subdivisions, homeowners association rights, and church construction in Casa Milan case.
Void Donations: Formal Requirements and the Right to Reclaim Property in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on void donations, formal requirements under Article 749, and the right to recover property.
Unregistered Donations vs Registered Sales: Priority in Land Ownership Disputes
When a donation isn't registered, a later buyer who relies on the Torrens title may win ownership. Learn the rules.
Mental Capacity AND Donations Protecting THE Vulnerable From Undue Influence
Automatic Revocation Clauses in Donations: When Breach Immediately Returns the Property
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that automatic revocation clauses in donations take effect immediately upon breach, without need for judicial action.
Open Spaces and Private Land: What Talayan Village Teaches About Donations and Subdivision Parks
The Supreme Court ruled that a subdivision block used for years as a park remained private land because the donation of it was never accepted by the city government.
Loan vs Donation: Proving Intent in Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when payments for another's property are loans, not donations, and the formal requirements for valid donations.
Onerous Donations Contract Law vs Gratuitous Intent in Property Transfers
When a donation carries a burden, contract rules apply. Learn how Philippine law treats onerous donations and revocation for ingratitude.
Judicial Ethics: Why Judges Must Avoid Even the Appearance of Impropriety
A Supreme Court ruling on a judge soliciting donations from lawyers and prosecutors, and the duty to avoid impropriety.
Void Donations: Strict Compliance With Will Formalities for Mortis Causa Transfers
Donations mortis causa must follow will formalities or they are void. Learn from Echavez v. Dozen Construction.
Irrevocable Donations: When a “Donation Mortis Causa” Is Really Inter Vivos
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when an irrevocable donation labeled "mortis causa" is actually a donation inter vivos, with practical legal implications.
Automatic Reversion in Donations: Land Returns to Donor, Improvements Stay With Donee
Supreme Court rules on automatic reversion of donated land when conditions fail, and the fate of buildings on reverted property.
Donations to Unregistered Organizations in the Philippines: When Are They Valid?
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on donations to unregistered organizations: why juridical personality matters and what donors and groups must know.
Fraud Voids Donations: Protecting Consent in Property Transfers
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how fraud and misrepresentation invalidate donations, protecting illiterate donors' consent in property transfers.
Breach of Trust: When a Donation Fails Because the Donor Was Only a Trustee
A donor cannot give away property that belongs to another. The Supreme Court explains implied trusts and void donations in Comilang v. Burcena.
Unveiling Implied Trust: How Purchase Money Defines Property Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court explains purchase money resulting trust under Article 1448, Civil Code, and its effect on donations of property.
Conditional Donations in the Philippines: When Can a Donor Revoke a Gift?
Philippine law treats onerous donations as contracts. Learn when a donor can revoke a gift if conditions are unmet, and the prescriptive period that applies.
Inofficious Donation and Legitime: Protecting Compulsory Heirs' Inheritance Rights in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine law protects compulsory heirs from inofficious donations that impair their legitime, explained through a Supreme Court case.