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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Equitable Mortgage vs Sale: Protecting Possessory Rights in Philippine Property Law
When is a deed of sale actually an equitable mortgage? The Supreme Court explains how Article 1602 protects possessory rights.
Private Land vs Public Grant: Upholding Possessory Rights Over Defective Free Patents
When a free patent covers private land, the title is void. The Supreme Court explains why possession prevails.
Tax Declarations as Evidence of Ownership: Protecting Possessory Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies that tax declarations, while not conclusive, are strong evidence of possession in the concept of owner when coupled with continuous possession.
Perfecting Imperfect Titles: Possessory Rights and Land Registration in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when long possession can confirm imperfect titles, even without a DENR certification, in Republic v. Noval.
Forum Shopping and Preliminary Mandatory Injunctions in Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies forum shopping rules and possessory rights under the Civil Code in property disputes.
Prior Possession Prevails: Protecting Possessory Rights in Forcible Entry Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that prior physical possession, not ownership, decides forcible entry cases, protecting occupants from unlawful ejection.
Protecting Possessory Rights When A Writ Of Possession Clashes With Third Party Claims
Understand how Philippine courts resolve property disputes when a writ of possession faces third-party claims, based on a landmark Supreme Court ruling.
Possession vs Ownership: When Land Status Determines Rights
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how land classification as public domain affects possessory rights and estoppel claims.
Protecting Possessory Rights When A Writ Of Possession Cannot Override Third Party Claims
When a third party actually possesses foreclosed property under an adverse claim, a writ of possession is not ministerial. Learn the rule.
Substantial Compliance in Land Registration: Blueprint Sufficiency and Possessory Rights
The Supreme Court held that a blueprint copy of a survey plan may substantially comply with registration requirements when the original tracing cloth plan is unavailable.
Upholding Possessory Rights Ejectment Suit Jurisdiction Prior Possession
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on ejectment jurisdiction, prior possession, and why a defendant's claim of ownership cannot defeat an unlawful detainer suit.
Preliminary Mandatory Injunction in Property Disputes: Protecting Prior Possessory Rights
Learn when Philippine courts issue preliminary mandatory injunctions in property disputes, and how prior lawful possession can be protected.
Unlawful Detainer and Estate Possession: Lessons from Umpoc v. Mercado
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on unlawful detainer, estate administrators' possessory rights, and unregistered deeds in ejectment cases.
Upholding Possessory Rights When Injunction Protects Possession Over Public Use
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on injunction, possessory rights, and claims that a lot is part of public domain.
Mining Rights vs Land Ownership: What the Supreme Court Decided
A 1996 Supreme Court ruling clarifies that mining claims under the Philippine Bill of 1902 grant possessory rights, not absolute ownership over land.