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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Property Rights and Due Process: Lessons from Barcenas v. Tomas on Appeals and Co-Ownership
A Supreme Court ruling reminds property owners that procedural rules on appeals are strict, and that a co-owner may validly sell an undivided share without the consent of the others.
Psychological Incapacity and Marital Damages: Reconciling Grounds for Nullity and Liability
Explains why damages cannot be awarded when a spouse's acts stem from psychological incapacity, and how property is divided in void marriages.
Unregistered Land Sales and Agrarian Reform: The Limits of Ownership Transfer
When do unregistered property sales fail against agrarian reform coverage? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on land transfers and PD 27.
Co-Ownership and Ejectment: Clarifying Rights and Remedies in Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that any co-owner may file ejectment against occupants by mere tolerance, even before partition.
Mandamus Unveiled: Enforcing Rights vs Contractual Obligations in Property Disputes
Learn when courts versus DARAB resolve property disputes involving CLOAs and agrarian reform lands, based on a 2005 Supreme Court ruling.
Express Trusts Upholding Beneficiaries Rights Despite Fictitious Sales
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on express trusts, beneficiaries' rights, and fictitious sales of property.
Protecting Land Titles: Good Faith Purchasers and Forgery in Property Sales
A Supreme Court ruling explains why a forged deed must be proven, not presumed, and how a registered owner's acts can protect an innocent buyer's title.
Good Faith vs Forgery: Protecting Innocent Purchasers in Property Transactions
When a forged deed transfers property, who keeps the land? The Supreme Court explains the rights of innocent purchasers for value under the Torrens system.
Future Inheritance vs Present Rights: Resolving Property Disputes Among Heirs
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on partition inter vivos, future inheritance, and validity of property transfers among heirs.
Intestate Succession and Property Rights: Clarifying Inheritance Shares Under the Old Civil Code
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when heirs truly own inherited property, and why a parent's lifetime transfer can defeat a compromise agreement's promised shares.
Marital Consent Is Key: Encumbering Conjugal Property Without Spouse's Agreement Is Void
A spouse cannot mortgage conjugal property without the other spouse's written consent. The Supreme Court explains why such encumbrances are void.
Upholding Property Rights: Valid Ownership in Ejectment Cases
Supreme Court ruling clarifies that valid ownership is essential in ejectment cases, and only a true landowner can establish tenancy.
Collateral Attacks ON Land Titles Upholding THE Integrity OF THE Torrens System IN Property Disputes
Void Marriages and Property Rights: Ownership in Cohabitation After Bigamous Marriage
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on property ownership when a marriage is void due to bigamy. Learn the rules on co-ownership and creditor claims.
Upholding Legal Ethics: A Lawyer's Duty of Candor and Fidelity in Property Transactions
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on lawyers' duty of candor, fidelity, and accountability in property transactions and legal representation.
Equitable Mortgage vs Pacto de Retro Sale: Property Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court explains the difference between equitable mortgage and pacto de retro sale, and why mortgagees cannot simply consolidate ownership.
Upholding Ethical Conduct: An Attorney's Duty to Fulfill Financial Obligations and Maintain Honesty
A lawyer who acquires client property entrusted to him commits gross misconduct warranting disbarment under the Code of Professional Responsibility.
Indispensable Parties in Property Disputes: Why Complete Adjudication Matters
The Supreme Court explains why all indispensable parties must be joined in property cases, or the entire case fails.
Union Office Access Reconciling Labor Disputes AND Property Rights IN THE Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when union office disputes belong to labor tribunals or regular courts, balancing labor law and property rights.
Contract Validity: Illness and Consent in Property Sales Under Philippine Law
Supreme Court ruling on when illness affects consent in property sales, and the burden of proving lack of capacity to contract.
Lost Deeds, Lost Claims: Proving Real Property Donations in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court explains why a lost deed of donation cannot be proven by testimony alone, and the formal requirements for valid real property donations.
Creek Ownership and Land Disputes: Public vs. Private Property Rights
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that creeks are public property, not private land, and how this affects boundary disputes.
Unmasking Equitable Mortgages in the Philippines: A Guide for Property Buyers and Sellers
When is a deed of sale actually a loan? Learn how Philippine courts unmask equitable mortgages and protect property buyers and sellers.
Double Sale in the Philippines: Who Has the Better Right to the Property?
Philippine law on double sales explained: when a property is sold twice, good faith, registration, and possession decide who owns it.