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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Conditional Sale Buyers' Rights and Sellers' Obligations After Partial Payment
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies buyer and seller rights in contracts to sell, including when a buyer can demand a deed of absolute sale.
Contingent Attorneys Fees Defining Benefit IN Legal Agreements
Learn how the Supreme Court interpreted contingent attorney's fees in contracts, and what benefit means for lawyers and clients.
Perfecting Contracts: Why Consent Is Essential in Real Estate Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains why a real estate sale needs the buyer's consent to be binding—lessons from Looc Bay Timber v. Montecalvo.
Healthcare Agreements vs Insurance: Understanding Documentary Stamp Tax
Philippine Supreme Court rules health maintenance organization agreements are insurance contracts subject to documentary stamp tax under the Tax Code.
Mutuality of Contracts: The Limits of Bank Discretion in Setting Interest Rates
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that unilateral interest rate setting violates mutuality of contracts, but the principal loan obligation remains valid and enforceable.
Timeshare Contracts and SEC Registration: What Buyers Should Know
Supreme Court clarifies that unregistered timeshare sales violate the Securities Act, and buyers may rescind such contracts.
Bidding Required Government Contracts Must Ensure Fair Competition
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when public bidding is mandatory for government service contracts and why negotiated awards violate fair competition.
Lease Agreements: VAT Liability and Inflation Adjustments Clarified
Supreme Court clarifies when lessors may pass on VAT and adjust rent for inflation under lease contracts.
Perfecting a Contract of Sale: Price and Payment Terms in Real Estate Transactions
Learn how Philippine courts treat price and payment terms in contracts of sale, and what makes a sale perfected and binding.
Upholding Contractual Obligations Payment Disputes and the Binding Nature of Agreements
A Supreme Court ruling on why a "pay to cash" check violated a Charge Invoice term, and how contracts of adhesion bind parties.
Venue Stipulations in Contracts: Courts Cannot Dismiss Motu Proprio on Improper Venue
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that trial courts cannot motu proprio dismiss cases for improper venue when parties validly agreed on exclusive venue.
Project vs Regular Employment: Clarifying Rights in Fixed-Term Contracts
The Supreme Court clarifies when repeated fixed-term hiring still means project, not regular, employment under Philippine law.
Equitable Reduction of Penalties in Lease Agreements: Balancing Contractual Freedom and Fairness
Supreme Court rules that courts may reduce unconscionable penalties in lease contracts, ordering return of 50% of forfeited security deposits.
Security Deposit Forfeiture and Lease Improvements: The Florentino v. Supervalue Ruling
The Supreme Court limits security deposit forfeiture in lease contracts and clarifies when lessees may claim reimbursement for improvements.
48-Hour Notice Rule in Security Contracts: Rights and Responsibilities
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the 48-hour notice rule in security service contracts and when agencies may be held liable for property loss.
Mutuality of Contracts: The Limits of Unilateral Interest Rate Adjustments in Loan Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when banks cannot unilaterally raise loan interest rates without borrower consent, citing mutuality of contracts.
Unraveling Favored Contracts: The Imperative of Specificity in Ill-Gotten Wealth Cases
The Supreme Court reminds litigants that bare allegations and conclusions of law cannot substitute for specific facts in ill-gotten wealth cases.
UCPB Interest Rates, Mutuality of Contracts, and the Truth in Lending Act
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on void interest rates, mutuality of contracts, and Truth in Lending Act violations in bank lending.
Future Inheritance Contracts Are Void: Arrogante v. Deliarte Explained
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on void contracts over future inheritance, and the exceptions that can save family property arrangements.
Joint vs Solidary Obligations: What the Supreme Court Says About Liability in Contracts
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when multiple debtors are only jointly liable, not solidarily liable, under Philippine contract law.
Perfecting a Loan Delivery and the Role of Crossed Checks in Financial Agreements
When is a loan perfected? The Supreme Court clarifies how delivery of crossed checks affects loan contracts and interest claims.
Non-Compete Clauses in Philippine Employment: When Post-Employment Restrictions Are Valid
The Supreme Court explains when non-compete clauses in employment contracts are valid and enforceable under Philippine law.
Fighting Corruption Why Government Contracts Must BE Above Board
Why PAGCOR's tax exemption in Acesite v. CIR shields contractors from VAT—and what this means for government procurement transparency.
Fixed-Term Employment and Security of Tenure: When Contracts Expire Without Illegal Dismissal
The Supreme Court explains when fixed-term employment is valid and why expiration of a contract is not illegal dismissal.