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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Voluntary Sale vs. Eminent Domain: When Interest on Just Compensation Is Not Due
Supreme Court clarifies that in negotiated sales, landowners cannot claim legal interest absent a stipulation, unlike in expropriation.
Chain of Custody Breach Leads to Acquittal in Drug Sale Case
A drug sale conviction overturned because police photographed the wrong sachet, breaking the chain of custody and compromising evidence integrity.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why the Drug Itself Must Be Proven
Philippine Supreme Court acquits in drug sale case over broken chain of custody. Learn the strict rules on evidence integrity under RA 9165.
Reasonable Doubt and Chain of Custody: Acquittal in Drug Sale Cases
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect after police failed to justify missing required witnesses, reinforcing the chain of custody rule.
VAT Refund Claims Navigating THE Timelines FOR Zero Rated Sales Under Philippine LAW
Good Faith IN Property Sales Protecting Buyers Without Notice OF Claims
Buyer in Good Faith and Foreclosure Sales: When a Defective Auction Still Stands
The Supreme Court explains when a buyer in good faith can keep property even if the foreclosure sale had procedural defects.
Safeguarding Property Rights Strict Compliance IN TAX Delinquency Sales
Foreclosure Voided: Strict Compliance With Publication Requirements
Supreme Court voids foreclosure sale for lack of republication and reposting of rescheduled sale notice, affirming mandatory rules under Act No. 3135.
When a Car Purchase Goes Wrong: Establishing Liability in Sales Transactions
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a person who receives payment and issues a receipt in a car sale can be held liable as a seller.
Navigating the Chain of Custody: Safeguarding Rights in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court acquits drug sale accused over unjustified lapses in the Section 21 chain of custody rule, stressing strict compliance.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: What People v. Banquilay Means for Buy-Bust Evidence
The Supreme Court affirms a drug sale conviction, clarifying that minor chain of custody lapses do not automatically invalidate seized evidence.
Oral Sales Agreements Transfer Property and the Limits of Rescission
When does an oral deal to sell land transfer ownership? The Supreme Court clarifies the line between a sale and a contract to sell, and when rescission is allowed.
Broken Chain of Custody Leads to Acquittal in Illegal Drug Sale Case
A broken chain of custody and lapses under Section 21 of RA 9165 led the Supreme Court to acquit an accused in an illegal drug sale case.
VAT Refund Claims: Proving Zero-Rated Sales of Services with Official Receipts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that VAT official receipts are indispensable to substantiate zero-rated sales of services in refund claims.
Foreign Land Ownership Constitutionality Prevails Over Execution Sales
Supreme Court nullifies auction sales to a Canadian citizen, reaffirming the constitutional ban on alien land ownership in the Philippines.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Integrity of Evidence and the Reasonable Doubt Standard
Why failure to follow Section 21, RA 9165 chain of custody rules and conflicting police testimony led to acquittal in a drug sale case.
Lawyer Suspended for Signing Falsified Deed in Family Property Sale
Supreme Court suspends lawyer for six months for signing a deed of sale containing falsehoods, reaffirming lawyers' duty to uphold truth.
Attorney Suspended for Six Months for Signing Deed With False Statements
The Supreme Court suspended a lawyer for six months for signing a deed of sale containing false statements, reaffirming that lawyers must uphold truth even when following client wishes.
Conjugal Property Rights: When a Forged Donation and Sale Divide Ownership
A forged donation of conjugal property leads to co-ownership between the buyer and the innocent spouse, each holding an undivided half.
Upholding Conviction in Drug Sale: Minor Inconsistencies Do Not Taint Evidence Integrity
Minor witness inconsistencies do not destroy a drug sale conviction when the corpus delicti's chain of custody remains intact.
Foreclosure Sales and Repurchase Rights: Understanding Bank Discretion in Asset Disposition
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that after the redemption period expires, former owners have no enforceable right to repurchase foreclosed property from the bank.
Priority in Public Land Sales: Prior Application vs Length of Occupancy
In public land sales, the date of application generally prevails over length of occupancy. Galindez v. Firmalan explains why.
Chain of Custody Breaches Lead to Acquittal in Drug Sale Case
Supreme Court acquits drug suspects after police fail to justify missing DOJ and media witnesses during inventory under Section 21.