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.
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.
Unwritten Land Sales in the Philippines: When Possession and Improvements Matter
The Supreme Court clarifies when an unwritten sale of land can be enforced, focusing on possession, improvements, and partial performance under Philippine law.
Trafficking Conviction Upheld Despite Acquittal on Child Prostitution Charges
Supreme Court affirms trafficking conviction even where child prostitution charges fail for lack of proof of minority, clarifying key evidentiary rules.
Double Sale in the Philippines: Good Faith and Due Diligence in Property Disputes
A buyer who fails to inspect the property before purchase cannot claim good faith in a double sale. The Supreme Court explains why.
Finality of Judgments: COA Cannot Reverse Absolved Parties' Liability
The Supreme Court rules that the COA cannot reverse a final decision absolving employee-recipients from refunding disallowed benefits, reinforcing finality principles.
Corporate Representation on Condominium Boards: Defining Member Rights
Supreme Court clarifies that authorized representatives of corporate condominium unit owners may sit on the board of directors, defining member rights.
COA’s Limited Role in Enforcing Final Court Judgments on Government Liabilities
The Supreme Court clarifies that COA cannot determine funding sources for final judgments, ensuring government obligations are honored without delay.
Attorney-Client Loans Under the CPRA: When Borrowing From a Client Is Allowed
The Supreme Court clarifies when lawyers may borrow from clients under the CPRA, balancing ethical duties with legitimate commercial dealings.
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.
Reasonable Doubt in Illegal Gambling: Supreme Court Acquits Accused in Cara y Cruz Case
Supreme Court acquits two men of illegal gambling under PD 1602, ruling that vague police testimony cannot overcome the presumption of innocence.
Rape and Adoption: When Retroactive Laws Cannot Elevate a Conviction
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies why a 2012 rape involving an adopted child could not be elevated to qualified rape under a later law.
When a Surety Can Escape Liability: Overcoming the Presumption of Regularity
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when sureties can overcome the presumption of regularity attached to notarized continuing suretyship agreements.
Psychological Incapacity Under Article 36: Abandonment, Infidelity, and the Cabutaje Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies proof requirements for psychological incapacity in the Cabutaje case, addressing abandonment, infidelity, and expert testimony.
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.
Revival of Judgment in the Philippines: Who Are Indispensable Parties and When to File
Learn the rules on reviving a final judgment in the Philippines, including indispensable parties and the 10-year prescriptive period.
Vicarious Liability of Schools: When Teachers Answer for Student Negligence
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when school principals and teachers are vicariously liable for student acts causing injury to third persons.
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.
When a Parent Pays for Property in a Child's Name: Implied Trusts vs. Presumed Donations
Philippine law presumes a donation when a parent pays for property titled in a child's name. Learn how to overturn this presumption.
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.
Quo Warranto in the Philippines: Challenging an Official's Right to Hold Office
Learn how quo warranto actions challenge an elected official's qualifications in the Philippines, including deadlines, venues, and key Supreme Court rulings.
Ejectment Cases in the Philippines: When Tenants Cannot Challenge the Landlord's Title
Philippine ejectment cases explained: the estoppel rule barring tenants from denying a landlord's title, plus key rulings from Laqui v. Sagun.
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.
Combating Human Trafficking: Understanding Philippine Law and Your Rights
The Supreme Court affirms a qualified trafficking conviction, explaining the elements of the crime, conspiracy, and penalties under RA 9208.
Qualified Theft vs. Simple Theft: When Does Grave Abuse of Confidence Apply?
The Supreme Court clarifies when employee theft becomes qualified theft, requiring proof of special trust beyond ordinary employer-employee relations.