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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Resignation vs Secondment: Retirement Benefits and Waiver Validity in Philippine Labor Law
Supreme Court clarifies when a transfer ends employment, affecting retirement benefits and quitclaim validity in Intel v. NLRC.
Onerous Donations Contract Law vs Gratuitous Intent in Property Transfers
When a donation carries a burden, contract rules apply. Learn how Philippine law treats onerous donations and revocation for ingratitude.
Fraudulent Consent in Property Sales: Protecting Owners From Unknowing Transfers
Learn how Philippine courts handle property sales involving alleged fraud, void marriages, and co-ownership claims in this case analysis.
Just Compensation and Voluntary Land Sales: Valuing Property Under Agrarian Reform
A landowner who accepts payment and transfers title under agrarian reform cannot later seek higher just compensation. The Supreme Court explains.
Just Compensation and Land Valuation: Fairness in Agrarian Reform
When a landowner accepts the government's valuation and transfers title, can they later seek a higher price? The Supreme Court clarifies.
Simulated Sales: When Intent to Transfer Ownership Is Absent
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a deed of sale is absolutely simulated and void, using Formaran v. Ong as a guide.
Management Prerogative vs Constructive Dismissal: Limits of Employee Transfers
When is a job transfer a valid management prerogative and when does it become constructive dismissal? The Supreme Court clarifies in Peckson v. Robinsons Supermarket.
Stock Certificate Delivery: A Prerequisite for Valid Stock Transfer in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why physical delivery of stock certificates is essential to transfer ownership and what it means for buyers and sellers.
Prohibition on Land Transfers Protecting Tenant Rights Under Agrarian Reform
Philippine Supreme Court explains why land sales to non-tenants are void under PD 27, protecting agrarian reform beneficiaries.
Contract to Sell: Seller's Right to Rescind and Recover Property Ownership
When a buyer covertly transfers title before full payment in a contract to sell, the seller may rescind and recover ownership.
Equitable Mortgage vs Absolute Sale: How Philippine Courts Protect Borrowers
A Supreme Court ruling shows that a deed of sale used to secure a loan may be treated as an equitable mortgage, not a transfer of ownership.
Cultivation and Compliance: Land Ownership Under Agrarian Reform
The Supreme Court clarifies that a Certificate of Land Transfer confers only an inchoate right—full ownership requires compliance with agrarian reform conditions.
Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Rights Abandonment and Land Transfer Restrictions
Supreme Court ruling on when an agrarian reform beneficiary loses rights through land transfer and abandonment under P.D. 27 and R.A. 6657.
Constructive Dismissal: Employer's Burden to Justify Employee Transfer
When does a forced transfer become constructive dismissal? The Supreme Court clarifies the employer's burden to justify transfers and the limits on belated evidence.
Constructive Dismissal: When a Transfer Becomes Illegal Under Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when a workplace transfer amounts to constructive dismissal, protecting employees from retaliatory reassignments.
Accretion vs Title: Proving Ownership of Abandoned Creek Beds
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when an abandoned creek bed transfers ownership and why a Torrens title prevailed.
Mortgage Rights vs Property Transfer: Foreclosure Options for Second Mortgagees
When a mortgaged property is sold to the first mortgagee, can the second mortgagee still foreclose? The Supreme Court explains the limits.
Escheat Proceedings: Banks Must Notify Depositors Before Dormant Funds Are Transferred to the State
Philippine Supreme Court rules on banks' duty to notify depositors before dormant funds are escheated to the state, protecting depositor rights.
Protecting Land Rights Clarifying Alienation and Free Patents Under the Public Land Act
Supreme Court clarifies when free patent land can be alienated, distinguishing true transfers from mere corrections of title errors.
PDIC Insurance: Defining Deposit and Protecting the Depositing Public
Supreme Court rules inter-branch fund transfers are not insurable deposits under the PDIC Charter, clarifying deposit insurance scope.
Judicial Impartiality and Avoiding Impropriety in Cases Involving Relatives
The Supreme Court clarifies when a judge's transfer affects decision validity and the rules on new trial grounds in criminal cases.
When a Justice Transfers: Promulgation of Sandiganbayan Decisions and New Trial Rules
The Supreme Court clarifies when a Sandiganbayan decision is valid despite a ponente's transfer, and tightens the rules on new trials.
Employee Transfers and Constructive Dismissal in the Philippines: Employer Rights and Employee Protection
When is a job transfer constructive dismissal? The Supreme Court explains management prerogative, diminution of benefits, and employee rights.
Contract to Sell vs Contract of Sale: When Ownership Transfers in Philippine Real Estate
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between a contract to sell and contract of sale, and when ownership actually transfers.