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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Eminent Domain and Just Compensation: Interest for Delayed Payment in Agrarian Reform
When government takes land for agrarian reform, just compensation must be paid without delay; otherwise, 12% interest accrues from taking until full payment.
Corporate Rehabilitation vs Labor Rights: Balancing Competing Interests in Dismissal Cases
How the Supreme Court balanced a company's rehabilitation stay order against an employee's final judgment for illegal dismissal.
Void Sale of Market Stall: Buyer Can Recover Price Despite Null Contract
Supreme Court rules on void sale of city-owned market stall, allowing buyer to recover P20,000 with interest despite null contract.
Upholding Compromise Agreements: When Can a Party Avoid Their Obligations
The Supreme Court clarifies when compromise agreements bind parties, and when courts may reduce unconscionable interest rates.
Upholding Government Authority When Public Interest Overrides Private Land Claims In Expropriation
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on expropriation, public interest, and limits of private land claims against government authority.
Contractual Obligations Upholding Interest Rates AND Attorneys Fees IN Commercial Agreements
Mining firm's sand and gravel extraction taxed despite mining lease; SC clarifies permit exemptions and tax liability.
Timely Justice Determining THE Correct Appeal Method IN Land Valuation Cases
Learn how the Supreme Court resolved the proper appeal method and interest computation in land valuation cases under CARP.
When Can Courts Relax Procedural Rules? The Go v. Chaves Appeal Ruling
The Supreme Court reinstates an appeal dismissed on technical grounds, explaining when courts may relax procedural rules in the interest of substantial justice.
Real Party in Interest Rule in Annulling Land Titles in the Philippines
Learn the real party in interest rule for annulling land titles in the Philippines, explained through the Supreme Court's ruling in Goco v. CA.
Municipal Immunity vs Contractual Obligations: Balancing Public Interest and Private Rights
Supreme Court clarifies when local governments can be sued on contracts and why their properties remain protected from attachment.
Contractual Interest Enforceability of Bank Lending Rates in Delayed Payments
Supreme Court rules stipulated bank lending rates apply automatically to delayed payments without need for separate consent.
Breach of Contract vs Forbearance: Clarifying Interest Rate Applications in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when forbearance interest applies versus breach of contract damages, and how courts compute legal interest on monetary awards.
Written Stipulation Is Paramount: Examining Interest Rate Agreements in Loan Contracts
The Supreme Court clarifies when interest rates bind borrowers and when the 12% legal rate applies instead.
Illegal Dismissal Damages: Computing Backwages Until Judgment Becomes Final
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how backwages and separation pay are computed in illegal dismissal cases, including when the computation period ends and interest applies.
Custody Agreements Contrary to Child's Best Interests Are Void
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on joint custody agreements for children under seven and the best interests standard.
Who Can Contest Property Taxes: Defining Legal Interest in Real Estate Assessments
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies who may protest real property tax assessments and what "legal interest" means under the Local Government Code.
Cooperative Members' Deposit Interest Exempt from Final Withholding Tax: DCCCO v. CIR
The Supreme Court ruled that cooperatives need not withhold 20% final tax on members' deposit interest, citing social justice.
Just Compensation and Timely Payment: Landowners' Rights in Eminent Domain
Apo Fruits v. Land Bank clarifies when interest and attorney's fees may be awarded in agrarian expropriation cases and why final judgments cannot be reopened.
Right to Travel vs Public Interest: Examining the Scope of the Writ of Amparo
The Supreme Court explains why the writ of amparo cannot question travel restrictions such as hold departure orders issued in pending criminal cases.
Habeas Corpus for Child Custody: What the Supreme Court Requires
The Supreme Court clarifies that habeas corpus in child custody cases requires a full trial to determine the child's best interests, not just the child's production in court.
Unconscionable Interest Rates: When Courts Step In to Protect Borrowers
Philippine courts can reduce excessive loan interest rates. Learn how the Supreme Court protected borrowers from unconscionable terms.
Air Carrier Breach of Contract: Damages and Interest in Air Travel Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when legal interest runs on damages awarded in air carrier breach of contract cases.
Delayed Delivery and Rescission Rights in Pre-Selling Condominium Contracts
The Supreme Court held that a developer's failure to deliver a pre-selling condominium unit on time entitles the buyer to a refund of payments with interest.
Documentary Stamp Tax: When Special Savings Deposits Are Certificates of Deposit Drawing Interest
The Supreme Court rules that special savings deposits with fixed-term features are "certificates of deposit drawing interest" subject to documentary stamp tax.