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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Defective Summons Voids Trustee Appointment: Key Lessons from Diversified Plastic Film v. PI-One
Defective summons can void court proceedings. Learn the jurisdictional limits and SPV Act requirements from this Supreme Court ruling.
GSIS Board Jurisdiction Limited in Housing Loan Disputes: Key Supreme Court Ruling
Supreme Court clarifies GSIS Board of Trustees lacks exclusive jurisdiction over housing loan disputes involving contract enforcement and damages.
Estate vs Trustee: Intestate Courts Cannot Decide Ownership Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that intestate courts lack jurisdiction to adjudicate ownership of properties claimed by third parties under adverse title.
When a Mortgage on Trust Property Is Void: UCPB v. Spouses Chua
The Supreme Court rules that a bank cannot foreclose on properties held in trust when the trustee had no authority to mortgage them.
Corporate Dissolution Directors As Trustees and Guarantor Liability After Corporate Revocation
Explains Reyes v. Bancom: corporate revocation doesn't abate suits, directors act as trustees, and guarantors remain liable.
Can a Trustee Mortgage Property Without the Owner's Consent? Supreme Court Says No
Learn from a 2017 Supreme Court ruling why a trustee cannot mortgage trust property without the owner's consent, and the consequences for banks that fail to verify ownership.
Appointment Authority Under the National Museum Act: Clarifying the Board's Power
The Supreme Court clarifies that only the National Museum Board of Trustees may appoint directors under R.A. 8492, not the Chairman alone.
Implied Trust in Mortgage Contracts: When the Named Mortgagee Is Not the Real Lender
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a mortgage contract's named mortgagee may be held as a mere trustee for the true lender under an implied trust.
Agrarian Reform Church Lands AND THE Limits OF Exemption
The Supreme Court ruled that church lands are not exempt from agrarian reform, and a trustee cannot claim multiple retention rights.
Breach of Trust: When a Donation Fails Because the Donor Was Only a Trustee
A donor cannot give away property that belongs to another. The Supreme Court explains implied trusts and void donations in Comilang v. Burcena.
Custodianship vs Trusteeship: Determining Liability in Investment Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the difference between a custodian and a trustee in investment agreements, and who bears liability when investments fail.
Contractual Obligations Prevail: Bank's Right to Offset Debts Despite Trustee-Beneficiary Claims
Supreme Court ruling on when a bank may validly apply a borrower's funds to settle debts, even amid trustee-beneficiary claims.
Reclamation Rights Private Property VS Public Domain IN THE Philippines
The Supreme Court ruling on SRA's liability as trustee clarifies how government agencies assume obligations of abolished entities.
Unmasking Express Trusts in Philippine Property Law: Co-Ownership vs True Ownership
When a deed of sale is actually an express trust, the titled "owner" holds only as trustee. This case explains the difference.