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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Tolerance Ends Ownership Rights Prevail In Unlawful Detainer Disputes
SC ruling: mere tolerance of occupation ends when property is sold; new owner may eject occupants via unlawful detainer.
Eminent Domain and Just Compensation: How Courts Value Right of Way Acquisitions
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how courts determine just compensation for right of way acquisitions, using market value at time of taking.
Fatal Appeal Errors: Why Choosing the Wrong Mode of Appeal Can End a Case
A Supreme Court ruling shows how filing the wrong mode of appeal can be fatal, even when filed on time.
Public Land vs Private Claim: Military Reservations and the Limits of Land Acquisition in the Philippines
The Supreme Court voids a title over land inside Fort Bonifacio, ruling military reservations are inalienable public land.
Due Process and Preliminary Investigations: Balancing Rights in Philippine Law
Learn how the Supreme Court protects due process rights in Philippine litigation, including the duty to serve pleadings on counsel of record.
Certiorari vs Appeal: Choosing the Right Remedy Against Shari'a Court Resolutions
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies why certiorari cannot substitute for a lost appeal, using a Shari'a court dispute as the case study.
Dower Rights and Evidence Establishing a Muslim Wife’s Entitlement to Mahr Property
The Supreme Court clarifies when a Muslim wife can claim mahr property and why procedural errors can forfeit that claim.
Overseas Worker Repatriation: Agency Duty and Due Process Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies that recruitment agencies must repatriate OFW remains without prior hearing, upholding RA 8042 rules.
Protecting Child Victims: Balancing Privacy and Public Access in Abuse Cases
The Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Cabalquinto protects child abuse victims' identities while affirming a father's rape conviction.
New Trial After Final Judgment: The Dinglasan Case on B.P. 22 and Procedural Remedies
When can a convicted accused seek a new trial based on newly discovered evidence? The Supreme Court explains the limits.
Good Faith and Due Diligence in Property Transactions: Lessons from Bautista v. Silva
When is a buyer of real property truly in good faith? The Supreme Court clarifies the duty to inquire beyond a special power of attorney.
Dilatory Tactics and the Five-Year Rule: When Delaying Execution Backfires
The Supreme Court condemns a losing party's dilatory tactics that delayed execution of a final judgment for years, clarifying the five-year rule on execution by motion.
Upholding Ethical Standards Dismissal OF Disbarment Case DUE TO Lack OF Substantiated Evidence
Finality Prevails: Why Attempts to Reopen a Settled Bouncing Checks Case Fail
The Supreme Court explains why final judgments cannot be reopened through belated claims of newly discovered evidence in a B.P. 22 case.
Balancing Property Rights: Reimbursement for Improvements on Leased Land
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on tenant's right to reimbursement for house built on leased land, offset against unpaid rent.
Attorney's Fees Need Explicit Justification in Philippine Courts
Philippine courts cannot award attorney's fees without stating factual and legal basis in the decision's text, as clarified by the Supreme Court.
Possession vs Ownership: Choosing the Right Court Action for Property Disputes
Learn from a Supreme Court case why possession and ownership require different legal actions, and why choosing the wrong remedy can be fatal.
Civil Liability After Acquittal: When Does a Defendant Still Owe?
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when an acquittal in BP 22 cases still leaves the defendant civilly liable.
Falsification vs Estafa: Distinguishing Falsification of Private Documents From Estafa
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when forging signatures in cash vouchers is falsification of private documents and when it becomes estafa.
Attorney Negligence Does NOT Automatically Justify Judgment Annulment
Supreme Court clarifies that a lawyer's negligence does not automatically justify annulment of a final judgment, especially when the wrong remedy is used.
Just Compensation and Due Process: Protecting Landowners from Unjustified Government Taking
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on just compensation and due process in expropriation cases, protecting landowners' property rights.
Real Property Tax Refund: Illegality of Assessment and the Proper Claim Procedure
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that an invalid real property tax ordinance entitles taxpayers to refunds, but claims must follow the Local Government Code's procedure.
Sheriff Fined for Bypassing Raffle Rules in Publishing Court Notices
Supreme Court holds sheriff liable for distributing legal notices to newspapers without the raffle required by P.D. 1079.
Truth in Advocacy: Lawyer Sanctioned for Misleading Statements in Court
The Supreme Court suspends a lawyer for two months for falsely telling a judge that a settlement existed, reaffirming a lawyer's duty of candor.