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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
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.
Tenant Rights and Succession in Agricultural Leasehold: The Arines-Albalante Case
The Supreme Court clarifies tenant succession rights and security of tenure under agrarian law in Arines-Albalante v. Reyes.
Reversion of Land Jurisdiction Lies Where the Title Is Challenged, Not the Judgment Itself
When a land title is attacked as spurious, the reversion case in court bars administrative cancellation of a leasehold agreement over the same property.
Tenancy Rights: Why Landowner Consent Is Essential in Agricultural Leasehold
The Supreme Court clarifies that landowner consent is essential to create agricultural tenancy, rejecting implied tenancy claims without it.
Distinguishing Agricultural Leasehold From Civil Law Lease: Security of Tenure in Philippine Agrarian Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the difference between agricultural leasehold and civil law lease, and the security of tenure rights of tenants.
Tenancy Rights: Landowner's Consent Required for Valid Leasehold Agreement
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that tenancy requires landowner consent; a mortgagee or possessor cannot install tenants without authority.
The Dead Man's Statute: Protecting Estates From Unfair Claims in Leasehold Disputes
The Supreme Court explains how the Dead Man's Statute bars testimony about a deceased person's alleged admissions, protecting estates from unfair claims.
When a Lease Isn't a Lease: Clarifying Rights in Market Stall Agreements
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies the distinction between leasehold rights and ownership of improvements in market stall transactions under Philippine law.
Leasehold Improvements: Understanding Reimbursement Rights and Obligations in Philippine Law
Learn how Philippine courts handle leasehold improvement reimbursement rights, obligations, and settlement through compromise agreements.
Breach of Trust Establishing Estafa in Financial Misappropriation Cases
Explore when breach of trust constitutes estafa under Philippine law, and why agricultural leasehold tenants cannot be prosecuted for it.
Leasehold vs Share Tenancy: Failure to Pay Rent Is Not Estafa Under Agrarian Reform
Supreme Court clarifies that agricultural leasehold tenants who fail to pay rent cannot be prosecuted for estafa, unlike share tenants.
When a Lease of Coconut Trees Becomes an Agricultural Leasehold: Granada v. Bormaheco
The Supreme Court explains when a contract labeled as a lease of coconut trees may actually create an agricultural leasehold with security of tenure.
Agricultural Leasehold Contracts: When Are They Void? Land Ownership and Tenancy Rights Explained
Learn when agricultural leasehold contracts are void under Philippine law, and how land ownership and DARAB jurisdiction affect tenancy rights.
Tenancy Rights vs Land Ownership: Proving Agricultural Leasehold Agreements
When does a tiller become a tenant? The Supreme Court clarifies the requisites of agricultural leasehold and its effect on ejectment cases.
Agricultural Leasehold Tenants Rights vs Landowners Share Under Agrarian Reform
Supreme Court ruling on lawful lease rentals, tenant security of tenure, and limits on landowner shares under RA 3844 and RA 6657.
Agricultural Leasehold vs. Inheritance: Protecting Tenant Rights and Land Use in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on land registration, possession, and the distinction between ownership and mere holding in agricultural property disputes.
Succession Rights in Agricultural Leases: Landowner's Choice Prevails
In agricultural leaseholds, the landowner chooses the successor-tenant among the deceased lessee's heirs; heirs cannot self-appoint. SC explains.
Cultivation Counts Upholding Land Rights in Agrarian Disputes
The Supreme Court ruled that personal cultivation is essential to establish agricultural leasehold rights, affirming that mere possession or documents do not suffice.
Leasehold Improvements in the Philippines: Rights of Lessors and Lessees
Learn how Philippine law treats leasehold improvements, when Article 1678 applies, and why contract stipulations usually prevail over default rules.
Landowner Consent Is Essential in Agricultural Leasehold Transfers
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why a tenant cannot transfer leasehold rights without landowner consent, and the consequences of unauthorized assignment.
Tenancy Rights: Landowner Consent Is Paramount in Agricultural Leases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that tenancy requires landowner consent; possession and cultivation alone do not create agricultural leasehold rights.
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.
Leasehold Improvements: Lessee Rights and Obligations Under Philippine Law
Understand lessee rights to improvements under Article 1678 of the Civil Code, and why lessees are not builders in good faith.