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.
The E-Commerce Act (R.A. 8792) in the Philippines, Explained
Understand R.A. 8792, the Philippine E-Commerce Act: legal recognition of electronic documents, signatures, and contracts under Philippine law.
Fintech Regulation in the Philippines: BSP Rules and Licensing
Fintech regulation in the Philippines is shaped by BSP rules, the E-Commerce Act, and the Data Privacy Act. Learn the key legal requirements here.
Digital Signatures and E-Signatures in the Philippines: Legal Validity
Understand the legal validity of digital and electronic signatures in the Philippines under the E-Commerce Act (RA 8792), including requirements and evidentiary rules.
Crypto Regulation in the Philippines: BSP Rules on Virtual Assets Explained
Learn how the BSP regulates cryptocurrency and virtual assets in the Philippines, including licensing rules for VASPs and legal compliance requirements.
BSP Bank Closure Powers: What the Supreme Court Ruling Means for Depositors
The Supreme Court upheld the BSP's power to close banks without prior hearing, protecting depositors while limiting legal challenges.
Judicial Clemency for Philippine Lawyers: The Ruiz Case and the Path to Reinstatement
Learn how judicial clemency works for disciplined Philippine lawyers, including the requirements under the CPRA and the landmark Ruiz case.
Psychological Incapacity After Marriage: The Boado Ruling on Article 36 Nullity
The Supreme Court clarifies when psychological incapacity can void a marriage, even if it manifests years after the wedding ceremony.
Judicial Acts During Suspension: Balancing Authority and Protecting Litigant Rights
The Supreme Court validates decisions of a suspended judge under the de facto officer and operative fact doctrines, protecting good-faith litigants.
Divorce Abroad: Proving the Right Foreign Law for Recognition in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies which foreign law must be proven to recognize a divorce obtained abroad by a Filipino's alien spouse.
Eminent Domain and Just Compensation: Land Rights After Incomplete Expropriation
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on expropriation, just compensation, and landowner rights when government fails to pay.
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.
Psychological Incapacity: Abandonment and Absence as Evidence in Philippine Marriage Nullity Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that decades of unjustified absence from the marital home can be considered part of the totality of evidence of psychological incapacity under Article 36 of the Family Code
Enforcing Foreign Arbitral Awards in the Philippines: The Authentication Requirement
Learn why authenticated arbitration agreements are jurisdictional requirements for enforcing foreign arbitral awards in Philippine courts, as ruled in Manis Shipping.
Cyber-Enabled Robbery in the Philippines: How RA 10175 Raises Penalties for Digital Extortion
Learn how the Supreme Court applies the Cybercrime Prevention Act to robbery committed through digital means, and why penalties are one degree higher.
Forged Donation Municipality Liable FOR Taking Private Land Without Just Compensation
Supreme Court rules a municipality must pay just compensation when it builds a road on private land under a forged deed of donation.
Forged Signatures and Municipal Liability: Just Compensation for Illegally Constructed Roads
When a municipality builds a road on private land based on a forged deed, the owner may be entitled to just compensation rather than removal of the road.
Tolerance vs Title: Resolving Possession Disputes in Unlawful Detainer Cases
When does tolerated possession become unlawful detainer? The Supreme Court clarifies that a notice of adverse claim does not defeat a prior possessor's right to eject occupants.
Foreclosure Jurisdiction: Assessed Value of Property Determines the Proper Court
In foreclosure suits, the property's assessed value—not the loan amount—determines which court has jurisdiction. Learn from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Ancestral Land Rights: Proving Fraud and Due Process in Land Title Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when ancestral land titles can be cancelled for fraud and what claimants must prove to assert vested rights over ancestral lands.
Foreign Adoption Recognition in the Philippines: What the Yuta Hayashi Case Means
Philippine courts can recognize foreign adoption decrees involving Filipino citizens if proven as fact and not contrary to public policy.
Chronic Infidelity as Psychological Incapacity: Quiogue v. Quiogue Explained
The Supreme Court ruled that chronic infidelity rooted in a personality disorder can be psychological incapacity under Article 36 of the Family Code.
Divorce Abroad: Filipino Spouse Can Remarry Even After Joint Divorce with Foreigner
Supreme Court clarifies that a Filipino spouse may remarry after a foreign divorce, even if the divorce was obtained jointly with the foreign spouse.
Co-Ownership and Ejectment: When a Co-Owner Can Be Evicted for Forcible Entry
A co-owner who forcibly takes exclusive possession of common property can be ejected. Learn the rules on co-ownership and forcible entry from a 2022 Supreme Court ruling.
Foreign Divorce Recognition in the Philippines: Proving Japanese Law Matters
The Supreme Court clarifies what evidence is needed to recognize a foreign divorce in the Philippines, focusing on proving foreign law.