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.
Abandonment in Agrarian Leaseholds: What Farmers and Landowners Must Know
The Supreme Court clarifies when a farmer's absence amounts to abandonment—and why notarized documents alone cannot end a leasehold.
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.
Understanding Disturbance Compensation in Land Conversion: Insights from a Philippine Supreme Court Case
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on disturbance compensation claims in land conversion, including prescription periods and evidentiary requirements.
Barangay Dispute Resolution Lawyers Barred From Lupon Appearances
The Supreme Court clarifies that lawyers cannot appear before the Lupon Tagapamayapa, preserving the informal, conciliatory character of barangay justice.
Homestead Rights vs Agrarian Reform: Continued Cultivation Is Key
Supreme Court clarifies that heirs of homestead grantees must personally cultivate the land to exempt it from CARP coverage under Section 6 of RA 6657.
Fair Compensation in Land Reform: Upholding Valuation Standards in Agrarian Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies that courts must follow DAR valuation formulas in agrarian reform cases, not subjective judgments.
Tenant Rights vs Landowner Rights in the Philippines: Understanding Tenancy and Agricultural Land Law
A look at Philippine tenancy law, balancing tenant rights and landowner rights under agricultural land reform and related statutes.
Contract to Sell Default: When Sellers Can Cancel and Keep the Property Off the Market
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a buyer's failure to pay installments in a contract to sell justifies cancellation by the seller.
Security of Tenure: Defining Agricultural Tenancy in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies what makes a person an agricultural lessee entitled to security of tenure under Philippine agrarian laws.
Agricultural Land Reclassification: Continued Use Does Not Override Prior Conversion
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how prior land reclassification to commercial use affects agrarian reform coverage and tenant rights.
Tenant Rights in the Philippines: Proving Agricultural Tenancy and Its Implications
Learn how Philippine courts determine agricultural tenancy, tenant rights to redemption, and what a Certificate of Land Transfer means for landowners and lessees.
Urban Land Reform: Right of First Refusal in Priority Development Areas
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on tenants' right of first refusal under P.D. 1517 in urban land reform zones.
Prejudicial Question Resolving Conflicts Between Civil AND Criminal Actions IN Philippine Courts
When civil and criminal cases collide, Philippine courts apply the prejudicial question doctrine. Learn how this affects tenant-landlord disputes.
Residential vs Agricultural Land: Resolving Land Use Classification and Tenant Rights
Supreme Court clarifies when land is residential and exempt from agrarian reform, plus the rules on irrevocable agency coupled with interest.
Security of Tenure for Tenant Farmers: Upholding Leasehold Rights in the Philippines
The Supreme Court reaffirmed tenant farmers' security of tenure, ruling that land sale does not extinguish agricultural leasehold rights.