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.
Eminent Domain and Private Property: Clarifying Expropriation Powers in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when state-owned land is private property subject to expropriation, and the limits of delegated eminent domain.
Land Registration: Overcoming the State's Presumptive Ownership of Public Lands
The Supreme Court clarifies that buyers and heirs of land must prove it is alienable and disposable—not just show a deed or inheritance—to register title.
Regalian Doctrine and Land Registration: Proving Alienable and Disposable Land
Learn how the Regalian doctrine affects land registration in the Philippines, and why applicants must prove land is alienable and disposable.
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.
Public Use Prevails: Water System Properties Cannot Be Seized for Private Debts
Supreme Court rules water works systems devoted to public use are property of public dominion, exempt from levy and auction sale.
PEZA Tax Exemption: Instrumentality of National Government and Real Property Tax
Supreme Court rules PEZA is exempt from real property tax as an instrumentality of the national government, clarifying local taxing limits.
Land Registration Under Section 14(2): The Patrimonial Property Requirement
The Supreme Court clarifies when alienable public land becomes private property subject to acquisition by prescription under PD 1529.
When Administrative Tribunals Overstep: COSLAP Jurisdiction and the Dream Village Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies COSLAP's limited jurisdiction over land disputes involving titled government property reserved for public purpose.
Accretion vs. Dried Riverbeds: Who Owns the Land in the Philippines?
The Supreme Court clarifies that land formed by a dried-up riverbed belongs to the State, not adjacent owners. Learn the rules on accretion and land registration.
Land Ownership Disputes: Proving Your Claim in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court distinguishes government instrumentalities from GOCCs in real property tax disputes, and what this means for proving ownership claims.
Protecting Your Property: Understanding Sheriffs Authority and Preventing Wrongful Levy in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine law protects property from wrongful levy, using the PFDA case to explain exemptions and legal remedies.
Accretion vs Public Domain: Private Land Rights Along Waterways in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when accreted land along creeks belongs to private owners and when prescription applies.
Taxing Government Instrumentalities: Real Property Tax and Public Dominion Rules
Philippine Fisheries Development Authority case clarifies when government instrumentalities pay real property tax and why public ports cannot be sold.
Public Plaza vs. Private Property: Land Ownership Disputes in the Philippines
When can land used as a public plaza be claimed as private property? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on property of public dominion.
Creek Ownership and Land Disputes: Public vs. Private Property Rights
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that creeks are public property, not private land, and how this affects boundary disputes.
Public Land Cannot Be Burdened: Property Rights and Public Use in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on public dominion property, right of way easements, and possession claims over government land.
Tax Exemptions for Government Corporations: The Philippine Ports Authority Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when government-owned corporations like the PPA must pay local taxes, and when they cannot change legal theories on appeal.
Free Patent Restrictions: Can Leasing or Mortgaging Your Land Cause Reversion to the State?
Learn when leasing or mortgaging free patent land can void your title and cause reversion to the State.