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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Accountability in Public Office: Mayor's Liability for Negligent Fund Disbursement
A mayor's approval of an unappropriated price escalation payment led to malversation and graft convictions, underscoring public officers' duty of diligence.
Just Compensation in Expropriation: Valuation Must Be as of Filing Date, Not Later Market Data
Supreme Court clarifies just compensation is valued as of complaint filing date, not later market prices, in DPWH expropriation case.
Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: How Selling Price Affects Land Valuation
The Supreme Court clarifies how selling price data should be used in computing just compensation for agrarian reform lands.
Calculating Redemption Price in Extrajudicial Foreclosures: BPI v. LCL Capital Explained
Learn how Philippine courts compute redemption prices in bank foreclosures under the General Banking Law, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in BPI v. LCL Capital.
Legal Redemption in the Philippines: Timely Action, Actual Notice, and the Power of Waiver
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies legal redemption rules: actual notice, 30-day period, and when failure to consign the price may be waived.
Evident Bad Faith in Government Contracts: The Sarion Case on Price Escalation
A mayor's approval of price escalation payments without NEDA and GPPB approval led to graft and malversation convictions.
Understanding Probable Cause in Public Procurement: Insights From a Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
A mayor's conviction for graft and malversation over an illegal price escalation payment—key lessons on public fund disbursement.
When Must Property Sellers Deliver the Title? The Fil-Estate v. Hermana Realty Rule
Full payment of the purchase price entitles a buyer to demand the deed of sale and owner's duplicate title, even if taxes remain unpaid.
Understanding Judicial Efficiency: The Consequences of Delaying Case Decisions in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling shows the heavy price judges pay for delaying decisions—and what it means for litigants and the justice system.
Fair Price or Land Grab: Determining Just Compensation in Philippine Expropriation Law
The Supreme Court clarifies how Philippine courts determine just compensation in expropriation cases, rejecting reliance on outdated zonal valuations.
Reasonable Doubt and Acquittal in Drug Cases: The Price of Procedural Lapses
Why the Supreme Court acquitted a drug suspect when police broke Section 21 chain-of-custody rules.
Just Compensation for Agrarian Reform: Valuing Land Under RA 6657
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how courts must value agrarian reform land under RA 6657, not just market price.
The High Cost of Homicide: Establishing Liability in Robbery With Homicide Cases
A look at how Philippine courts convict in robbery with homicide, from proving intent to the price of damages.
Lack of Price Certainty: How Indefinite Terms Can Invalidate a Real Estate Sale
Indefinite terms like an uncertain price can void a real estate sale. Learn the rules from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
SEC v. Price Richardson: Probable Cause in Securities Fraud Cases
Supreme Court clarifies when courts may review prosecutors' probable cause findings in securities regulation violations.
Fair Price OR Land Grab Determining Just Compensation IN Agrarian Reform
Perpetual Disqualification: The Price of Repeated SOCE Non-Compliance in Philippine Elections
Repeated failure to file SOCE triggers perpetual disqualification from public office under RA 7166, as affirmed by the Supreme Court.
Good Faith and Land Titles: The Limits of Torrens System Protection in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a buyer's failure to pay full price under a Contract to Sell prevents enforcement, and the limits of good faith claims.
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.
Tenant Redemption Rights: Tender of Payment Required in Agrarian Land Sales
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that agrarian tenants must tender or consign the redemption price to validly exercise their right of redemption.
Tenant's Redemption Right Requires Consignation of Price in Agrarian Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that tenant redemption of agricultural land requires consignation of the redemption price, even without written notice of sale.
Void Free Patent Sales: When Buying Land Too Soon Means Losing It
Buyers of free patent land must wait five years before buying; early sales are void and the buyer only gets the price back.
Forum Shopping by Lawyers: Ethical Duty and the Price of Misconduct
A lawyer's filing of successive petitions constituted forum shopping, resulting in a six-month suspension from the practice of law.
Unpaid Purchase Price: When a Deed of Absolute Sale Is Void for Lack of Consideration
A deed of sale without actual payment is void from the start. Learn the Supreme Court's ruling and key lessons.