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.
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.
Enforcing a Philippine Judgment: Time Limits, Property Levies, and Revival
Learn the 5-year rule for executing judgments in the Philippines, how to revive a dormant judgment, and what property a sheriff can levy.
Tax Liens vs Judgment Credits: Priority Disputes in Philippine Law
Supreme Court ruling on when a tax lien beats a judgment creditor's levy on real property under the National Internal Revenue Code.
Double Titling in the Philippines: How to Protect Your Property Rights
Learn how Philippine courts handle double titling disputes and what property owners can do to protect their rights and avoid legal conflicts.
Foreign Nationals and Land Ownership: Constitutional Limits on Succession Rights
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that foreign nationals cannot own land or transmit rights through succession, affecting heirs' claims.
Unlawful Detainer vs. Accion Publiciana: Key Distinctions in Philippine Ejectment Cases
Learn the key differences between unlawful detainer and accion publiciana, and why filing the wrong action can get your case dismissed.
Public Use Prevails Over Private Claims in Road Right-of-Way Dispute
Supreme Court rules that road rights-of-way are public dominion property, and private claimants cannot demand just compensation for land never validly acquired.
Constitutional Ban on Land Ownership: Filipino Spouses and Foreign Nationals
The Supreme Court rules that land bought for a foreigner and titled in a Filipino spouse's name is void, reaffirming the constitutional ban.
Caveat Emptor in Philippine Real Estate: Why Buyers Must Verify Title Before Purchase
The Supreme Court's Ranara ruling shows why buyers must verify property titles—failure to do so can mean losing both the purchase price and improvements.
Attachment Liens Priority AND Protection IN Real Property Disputes
A prior attachment lien survives title cancellation and transfers, binding the property and subsequent purchasers until the debt is paid.
When Can Courts Dismiss a Case for Failure to Prosecute? A Land Registration Lesson
The Supreme Court clarifies the limited grounds for dismissing a case for failure to prosecute, using a land registration dispute as the backdrop.
Corporate Merger and Garnishment: Surviving Corporation's Liability for Pre-Existing Obligations
When banks merge, the surviving corporation inherits garnishment obligations of the absorbed bank. The Supreme Court explains why.
Adverse Claims and Execution Liens: Priority Rules in Philippine Property Law
When an adverse claim is annotated on a title before a levy on execution, the earlier claim prevails. This case explains the priority rule.
Unjust Refusal of Payment: When Creditors Must Accept Loan Proceeds
Explaining when a creditor's unjust refusal to accept payment has legal consequences, and why tender and consignation still matter under Philippine law.
Jurisdiction in Swindling Cases: How Penalties Determine the Proper Court
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains how penalties and fines determine which court hears swindling cases under the Revised Penal Code.
Rehabilitation Petitions Technical Insolvency AND Creditors Rights IN Corporate Recovery
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a technically insolvent corporation may file for rehabilitation and how creditor rights are affected.
Possession vs Ownership: Resolving Land Disputes in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on land disputes, possession, accretion, and Torrens title conclusiveness explained in plain language.
Condominium Assessments: Lien Enforcement and Priority in the Philippines
Learn how condominium assessment liens work in the Philippines, including registration requirements, priority rules, and enforcement limits under the Condominium Act.
Interest on Maritime Liens in the Philippines: When Does the Clock Start Ticking?
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when legal interest on a maritime lien begins to accrue—from extrajudicial demand, not from foreclosure sale.
Contractor’s Liens and Privity of Contract: Lessons from Jan-Dec Construction v. FTI
A contractor’s lien under Article 2242 has limits—privity of contract and the right remedy matter. Learn from Jan-Dec Construction v. FTI.
Authority Matters: Why Verbal Assurances From Bank Clerks Can't Seal Property Deals in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why verbal assurances from bank clerks cannot validate property transactions, and the importance of proper authority.
When Constitutional Limits Bar Recovery of Illegally Acquired Property
Philippine Supreme Court explains why an alien who bought land through a Filipino cannot recover the property or his money.
Corporate Dissolution and Judgment Enforcement: Rights Survive Liquidation
A final judgment can still be enforced after a corporation dissolves — the Supreme Court explains why in this ruling.