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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Protecting Marital Property: Why Proof of Acquisition During Marriage Matters in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that the conjugal presumption requires proof the property was acquired during the marriage. Learn the rules.
Meeting of Minds in Property Sales: Why Price Agreement Is Key in Philippine Contracts
Philippine contract law requires a meeting of minds on price for property sales. Learn from a Supreme Court ruling on consent and judicial ethics.
Protecting Your Pawned Items: Understanding Proper Auction Procedures in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts protect judgment debtors' property through strict rules on sheriff auctions, garnishment, and payment handling.
Pledged Shares and Lost Chances: No Right of Redemption in Philippine Pledge Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that pledged personal property, including shares of stock, has no right of redemption after extrajudicial foreclosure.
Genuine Necessity in Eminent Domain: Understanding Property Rights in the Philippines
The Supreme Court defines "genuine necessity" in expropriation cases and protects property rights against arbitrary government taking.
Deed of Reconveyance and Presumption of Due Execution in Philippine Property Law
Learn how Philippine courts treat notarized deeds of reconveyance and the presumption of due execution in property disputes.
Equitable Mortgage vs Absolute Sale: Protecting Your Property Rights in the Philippines
When is a deed of absolute sale actually an equitable mortgage? Philippine law protects borrowers who sign sale documents to secure loans.
Abuse of Rights Doctrine When Protecting Your Property Harms Your Neighbor Philippine Jurisprudence
Philippine jurisprudence on the abuse of rights doctrine: when protecting property harms neighbors, courts may award damages under Article 21.
Eminent Domain vs Rulemaking: Prioritizing Fair Compensation in Expropriation
The Supreme Court clarifies that RA 8974 governs expropriation of national infrastructure projects, prioritizing immediate payment to property owners over Rule 67's deposit system.
Succession in Lease Agreements: Heirs' Obligations and Contractual Liabilities
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on lease succession, heirs' obligations, and contractual liabilities in property sales with boundaries.
Area vs Boundaries in Philippine Property Sales: What Buyers Must Know
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when stated land area prevails over boundaries in property sales, and when price adjustments apply.
Estafa When A Cancelled Property Sale Leads TO Criminal Liability
Co-Owner Redemption Rights: When Actual Knowledge Overrides Written Notice
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on legal redemption rights of co-owners, actual knowledge vs written notice, and laches in property sales.
Good Faith in Property Sales: Protecting Buyers From Fraudulent Land Titles
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on void reconstituted titles and the rights of innocent purchasers for value in property sales.
Upholding Intellectual Property Rights: The Supreme Court's Stance on Jurisdiction and Special Courts
The Supreme Court affirms RTC jurisdiction over IP violations and the validity of administrative orders designating special intellectual property courts.
Eminent Domain and Injunction: Protecting Property Rights in the Philippines
Explore how the Supreme Court protected a registered landowner's rights against the government's expropriation claim in Federated Realty v. Republic.
When a Lawyer Represents Both Sides: Conflict of Interest and Disbarment
A lawyer who represented both buyer and seller in a property deal violated conflict-of-interest rules and was suspended for two years.
Real Property Tax on Government Land: When the Beneficial User Pays
The Supreme Court explains when a government-owned corporation is the "beneficial user" of public land and must pay real property tax.
Choosing Foreclosure Vendor Cant Demand Unpaid Balance After Seizing Property
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: a vendor who forecloses a chattel mortgage cannot also sue for the unpaid balance. Article 1484 explained.
Buyer Beware: The Limits of Good Faith in Land Purchases When Red Flags Appear
When buying registered land, good faith has limits. Learn when red flags defeat a buyer's claim of innocence in Philippine property law.
Expropriation Requires Formal Proceedings Resolutions Alone Cannot Halt Ejectment
A local government's resolution to expropriate property does not suspend an ejectment case. Formal expropriation proceedings must be filed first.
Supervening Events Resolving Property Disputes Between Ownership AND Possession
When a final quieting of title ruling overturns an earlier ejectment judgment, the latter becomes unenforceable.
Land Dispute Prior Rights Fraud Allegations IN Property Sales
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on land disputes, prior rights, and fraud allegations in property sales explained for everyday readers.
Domicile Dilemmas: Residency Requirements for Philippine Election Candidates
The Supreme Court explains what "residence" really means for election candidates—and why buying property alone won't establish domicile.