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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Tenant Rights Under Urban Land Reform: Proving Legitimate Tenancy for Protection Against Eviction
The Supreme Court clarifies that only legitimate tenants with proof of tenancy, not mere occupants, receive protection under P.D. No. 1517.
Balancing Landlord Rights and Tenant Protection When Personal Use Justifies Eviction
Explore how Philippine courts balance a landlord's need to repossess property for personal use against a tenant's rights under urban land reform laws.
Eviction and Urban Land Reform: When Prior Rights Yield to New Ordinances
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when month-to-month leases end, and why new city ordinances and PD 1517 protections cannot stop a valid ejectment.
Squatters Rights vs Absentee Landlords: Resolving Land Disputes in Urban Reform
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on absentee landowners vs renters in urban land reform, explaining who qualifies for lot awards under the Zonal Improvement Program.
Ejectment and Urban Land Reform: Balancing Security of Tenure with Property Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies when urban land reform protections can stop an ejectment case, and when they cannot.
Urban Land Reform and Right of First Refusal: Tenant Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when tenants can claim right of first refusal under PD 1517 and urban land reform zones.
Urban Land Reform Preferential Rights and the Deforciant Tenant
Explaining when a tenant loses preferential rights under PD 1517 and becomes a deforciant with no right to the land.
Navigating Fishpond Leases: The Republic's Discretion vs. Corporate Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when government land reserved for public use can be claimed by private occupants under urban land reform laws.
Urban Land Reform: Right of First Refusal in Priority Development Areas
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on tenants' right of first refusal under P.D. 1517 in urban land reform zones.
Commercial Lease vs Residential Tenancy: Right of First Refusal Under Urban Land Reform
When does a long-term lessee get a right of first refusal? The Supreme Court clarifies PD 1517's limits.
Right of First Refusal Under P.D. No. 1517: Limits on Urban Land Reform Tenant Protection
The Supreme Court clarifies when the right of first refusal under P.D. No. 1517 applies—and when it does not.
Urban Land Reform Tenants Right Of First Refusal Limited TO Declared Zones
The Supreme Court clarifies that the right of first refusal under P.D. 1517 applies only to tenants in declared urban land reform zones.