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 Your Land Title From Fraudulent Claims: Lessons From a Philippine Supreme Court Case
Learn how the Supreme Court protected landowners from fraudulent registration and what it means for your property rights.
Demand Is Key: Understanding Rescission in Philippine Real Estate Sales
The Supreme Court explains when a buyer can still pay after missing a deadline in a property sale, and why demand for rescission matters.
Protecting Your Property Rights: The Innocent Purchaser for Value Doctrine in Philippine Land Law
Learn how the innocent purchaser for value doctrine protects buyers of Philippine land, even when the original title was fraudulently obtained.
Challenging Real Property Tax Ordinances: Public Hearings and Publication Requirements
Learn how Philippine courts handle challenges to real property tax ordinances, including public hearing and publication requirements under the Local Government Code.
Philippine Franchise TAX Local Governments Power TO TAX Businesses Despite Prior Exemptions
Supreme Court ruling on local government power to impose real property taxes, procedural requirements, and taxpayer remedies under the Local Government Code.
Understanding Contracts of Sale vs Contracts to Sell in Philippine Property Law
Learn the key differences between contracts of sale and contracts to sell under Philippine law, and why the distinction matters for property buyers and sellers.
RTC vs. MTC Jurisdiction: Filing Property Partition and Deed Annulment Cases
Learn when property partition and deed annulment cases belong in the RTC or MTC, based on Russell v. Vestil.
Time Is of the Essence: Prescription and Laches in Philippine Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how prescription and laches bar property claims filed decades after a sale with pacto de retro.
When A Preliminary Injunction Goes Wrong Protecting Property Rights IN THE Philippines
The Supreme Court nullifies a preliminary injunction that transferred land possession without clear legal right, reaffirming the preservative nature of injunctive relief.
Heirship First, Claim Later: Proving You're an Heir Before Filing Property Disputes in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why heirs must first be declared in special proceedings before filing property reconveyance cases.
Exhausting Administrative Remedies in Philippine Property Tax Disputes: A Guide for Property Owners
Learn the rule on exhaustion of administrative remedies in property tax disputes, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Lopez v. City of Manila.
Validating Foreclosure Sales: Due Process and Property Rights in Philippine Law
A 1999 Supreme Court ruling explains when extrajudicial foreclosure sales are valid despite claims of defective notice, low price, or holiday sale.
Misappropriation vs Private Property: Understanding Malversation in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that malversation requires public property. A mayor's custody of a private gun is not malversation.
Pay the Right Price: Docket Fees and Court Jurisdiction in Property Recovery Cases
Learn how Philippine courts determine docket fees in property recovery cases and why paying the correct amount is crucial for jurisdiction.
Prescription Periods in Philippine Property Disputes Involving Constructive Trusts
When does a claim for reconveyance based on a constructive trust prescribe? The Supreme Court clarifies the 10-year rule.
Protecting Your Inheritance: Co-Ownership and the Right of Legal Redemption in Philippine Property Law
Learn how Philippine law protects heirs from fraudulent property dispositions and when actions for reconveyance may still be filed.
Partition Without Prior Estate Settlement: Heirs' Rights Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on heirs' right to demand partition of inherited co-owned property without prior estate settlement proceedings.
Enforcing Partition Decisions Ensuring Heirs Receive Their Fair Share of Inherited Property in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on execution pending appeal in partition cases, protecting heirs' shares of inherited property.
Conditional Land Donations in the Philippines: Reversion Rights and Valid Sales
When a conditional land donation fails, when can the donor validly sell the property? The Supreme Court explains reversion rights.
Writ of Possession in Eminent Domain: Why Immediate Government Possession Is Key
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled that courts must issue writs of possession promptly in expropriation cases under, even if the government already occupies the property.
Earnest Money Matters Understanding Refundability in Philippine Real Estate Deals
When can a seller keep earnest money in a failed property deal? The Supreme Court explains the rules on refunds under Philippine law.
Annulment of Property Sale: Protecting Your Rights Against Fraud in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts annul property sales obtained through fraud, using the landmark Archipelago v. Court of Appeals case as a guide.
Priority in Land Titles: Why Earlier Registration Wins in Philippine Property Disputes
When two titles cover the same land, the earlier registration generally prevails. Learn the rule and how to protect your property.
Avoiding Pactum Commissorium: Protecting Borrowers in Philippine Loan Agreements
Learn how the Supreme Court protects borrowers from pactum commissorium—automatic property appropriation in loan agreements—under Philippine law.