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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Stock vs. Non-Stock Corporations in the Philippines: Key Differences
Understand the key differences between stock and non-stock corporations in the Philippines under the Revised Corporation Code, including ownership, governance, and profit distribution.
Foreign Ownership Restrictions in the Philippines: A Guide to the Negative List
Learn how the Philippine Constitution and the Foreign Investments Act restrict foreign ownership, and how the Negative List works.
Conjugal vs. Exclusive Property in the Philippines: What Belongs to Whom
Learn the difference between conjugal and exclusive property in the Philippines, and how ownership is determined under Philippine law.
Starting a Business in the Philippines with a Foreign Partner: Legal Structures and Ownership Rules
A practical guide to foreign ownership rules, business structures, and registration steps for Filipino-foreign ventures in the Philippines.
Foreign Land Ownership Ban Upheld: Supreme Court Voids Dummy Arrangements
The Supreme Court voids a German citizen's dummy land purchase, reaffirming the constitutional ban on foreign land ownership in the Philippines.
Disputed Inheritance: Proving Ownership in Land Claims After a Family Fallout
A Supreme Court ruling on proving land ownership in family disputes, where a photocopied title and bare claims failed against a registered certificate of title.
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.
Usufruct vs. Co-Ownership: When a Usufructuary Can Eject a Co-Owner
The Supreme Court clarifies that a usufructuary can eject a co-owner during the usufruct period, protecting family property arrangements.
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.
Sandiganbayan Jurisdiction Over Ill-Gotten Wealth and Lease Contract Validity
Supreme Court rules Sandiganbayan has jurisdiction over lease contract nullity involving alleged ill-gotten wealth, affirming state ownership of Paoay properties.
Land Title Registration in the Philippines: Navigating Ownership Complexities
The Supreme Court clarifies how RA 11573 affects land registration applications, shortening the possession period to 20 years before filing.
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.
Trademark Ownership in the Philippines: Why Registration Beats Prior Use
Philippine trademark law shifted from use-based to registration-based ownership. Learn how the "Mr. Gulaman" case clarifies the rules and risks.
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.
Ancestral Land Claims in Baguio City: Prior Rights and the Limits of IPRA
The Supreme Court clarifies that Certificates of Ancestral Land Claim do not establish ownership in Baguio City under IPRA.
When Lawyers Serve Two Masters: Ethical Violations in Land Deals and Public Office
The Supreme Court suspended a lawyer-mayor for helping circumvent land ownership rules and practicing law while in public office.
Copyright Assignment and Forgery: What the Supreme Court Ruled
A forged Deed of Assignment does not transfer copyright ownership, and using the work anyway can lead to infringement liability.
Mootness in Quo Warranto: How Ownership Rulings Affect Voting Rights
The Supreme Court explains when quo warranto cases become moot and how ownership rulings affect voting rights over sequestered shares.
Litis Pendentia and Final Judgment: Preventing Relitigation of Property Ownership
A final ruling on property ownership in one case bars a later suit on the same issue, even if the form of action differs.
Trademark Ownership in the Philippines: When Bad Faith Defeats First-to-File
Prior use can defeat a first-to-file trademark application if the applicant acted in bad faith. Learn the rule and its exceptions.
Primary Jurisdiction: When Courts Defer to Specialized Agencies in Media Disputes
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling on when courts must defer to the NTC in media ownership and competition disputes.
Constructive Delivery in Property Sales: What the Tamayao Case Teaches Buyers
A notarized deed can transfer ownership, but registration is key. The Tamayao case shows why due diligence matters in Philippine property sales.
Land Ownership, Citizenship, and Caretaker Claims: Lessons from Morales v. De Guia
A caretaker's long possession of property does not ripen into ownership, and losing Filipino citizenship does not forfeit vested land rights.
Citizenship and Property Rights: Retaining Ownership After Naturalization in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that naturalized citizens retain ownership of property acquired before losing Filipino citizenship, protecting vested property rights.