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.
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.
Passion and Obfuscation in Parricide: The Singcol Case and Limits of Self-Defense
The Supreme Court in People v. Singcol clarifies self-defense limits, passion and obfuscation as a mitigating circumstance, and treachery in murder.
Unwritten Land Sales in the Philippines: When Possession and Improvements Matter
The Supreme Court clarifies when an unwritten sale of land can be enforced, focusing on possession, improvements, and partial performance under Philippine law.
Double Sale in the Philippines: Good Faith and Due Diligence in Property Disputes
A buyer who fails to inspect the property before purchase cannot claim good faith in a double sale. The Supreme Court explains why.
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.
Vicarious Liability of Schools: When Teachers Answer for Student Negligence
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when school principals and teachers are vicariously liable for student acts causing injury to third persons.
Conditional Sale vs. Contract to Sell: A Supreme Court Ruling on Ownership, Breach, and Forum Shopping
The Supreme Court clarifies when a "conditional sale" is really a contract to sell, and warns against forum shopping in property disputes.
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.
Who Can Annul a Bigamous Marriage in the Philippines? SC Explains
The Supreme Court clarifies that only the aggrieved or injured innocent spouse may petition to nullify a bigamous marriage—not the guilty party.
Ejectment Cases in the Philippines: When Tenants Cannot Challenge the Landlord's Title
Philippine ejectment cases explained: the estoppel rule barring tenants from denying a landlord's title, plus key rulings from Laqui v. Sagun.
Newly Discovered Evidence in Philippine Courts: The Barraquio Case and Rule 37
Learn the strict requirements for newly discovered evidence under Rule 37 and what the Supreme Court's Barraquio ruling means for litigants.
Native Title vs. Statutory Rights: Land Ownership in Baguio City After the IPRA Exemption Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies that Baguio City is exempt from the IPRA, except for native title claims based on time immemorial possession.
Proving Filiation for Inheritance: Delayed Birth Registration in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how delayed birth registrations and other evidence establish filiation for inheritance claims in the Philippines.
GSIS Housing Loans and Insurance: Protecting Heirs' Rights After a Borrower's Death
A Supreme Court ruling on GSIS housing loans clarifies when Sales Redemption Insurance applies and how heirs can save a deceased borrower's property from cancellation.
Insanity Defense in Philippine Criminal Law: Defining the Boundaries of Criminal Responsibility
The Supreme Court clarifies when insanity exempts an accused from criminal liability, applying a strict three-way test.
Preterition in Philippine Wills: When Omitting a Compulsory Heir Invalidates Inheritance
Learn how preterition—omitting a compulsory heir—can annul a will's heir institution under Philippine law, with insights from Trinidad v. Trinidad.
When Death Ends a Case: Exhumation Dispute and the Rules on Party Substitution
A family exhumation dispute ends without a merits ruling after the petitioner dies and heirs decline substitution, clarifying Rule 3, Section 16.
When a Sale Among Heirs Can Be Voided: PD 27 and Simulated Land Transfers
Learn when a sale of agrarian reform land among heirs is void under PD 27, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Dela Cruz v. Dumasig.
Installment Land Sales in the Philippines: Buyer Rights and Contract Reinstatement
Learn how the Supreme Court protects installment buyers' right to reinstate contracts under the Maceda Law.
Acquisitive Prescription and Partition: Understanding Property Rights in the Philippines
Learn how acquisitive prescription and partition work in Philippine property law through a recent Supreme Court ruling on family inheritance disputes.
Intent to Gain in Theft Cases: Good Faith Ownership Claims Under Philippine Law
Philippine theft law requires intent to gain. Learn how a good faith belief in ownership can defeat criminal charges, citing Amarille v. People.
Extrajudicial Settlement in the Philippines: Why Excluding Heirs Can Void the Deal
Learn how the Supreme Court protects excluded heirs in extrajudicial settlements, and what co-owners can still do with their shares.
Co-Owner’s Lease Without Consent: Rights of Heirs and Lessees Explained
Can one co-owner lease shared property without the others’ consent? The Supreme Court explains the limits, the lessee’s rights, and the remedies for non-consenting heirs.
Ancestral Land Claims in Baguio City: CALCs Are Not Proof of Ownership
The Supreme Court clarifies that Certificates of Ancestral Land Claim do not confer ownership over Baguio City lots, which remain governed by the city charter.