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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Software Escrow in the Philippines: How Source Code Protection Works
Software escrow in the Philippines protects source code through copyright and undisclosed information rules under the Intellectual Property Code.
Trademark Registration in the Philippines for Franchise Networks
Register your franchise trademark in the Philippines with the IPO: file under the Intellectual Property Code, secure your mark, and license it to franchisees.
AI Training Data and Copyright in the Philippines: What the IP Code Says
How does Philippine copyright law apply to AI training data? Learn what the Intellectual Property Code protects and what it leaves unanswered.
Documentary Stamp Tax in the Philippines: What Triggers It and Who Pays
Documentary stamp tax in the Philippines is a tax on documents that transfer property or rights. Learn what transactions trigger DST and who pays it.
Real Property Tax on Factories in the Philippines: How Assessment Works
How real property tax applies to factories in the Philippines, including machinery, depreciation, assessment levels, and the SMV under RA 12001.
Colocation Agreements in the Philippines: Key Terms and Risk Allocation
A colocation agreement in the Philippines is a services contract, not a lease of real property. Learn the key terms, regulatory limits, and risk allocation rules.
Real Property Tax in the Philippines: What Manufacturers Should Know Under RA 12001
Real property tax in the Philippines for manufacturers turns on market value, assessment levels, and machinery rules under RA 12001 and the Local Government Code.
Trademark Opposition in the Philippines: How to Oppose or Cancel a Mark
Learn how trademark opposition in the Philippines works under the Intellectual Property Code, who may file, and how cancellation of a trademark is decided.
Capital Gains Tax on Real Property in the Philippines: Rates and Filing
Learn the capital gains tax rate on real property in the Philippines, how it is computed, and when to file.
Software Development Agreements in the Philippines: Ownership and Acceptance
A software development agreement in the Philippines must settle IP ownership, acceptance testing, and payment terms, guided by the Intellectual Property Code.
Franchise Termination in the Philippines: Grounds, Notice, and Remedies
Franchise termination in the Philippines usually turns on the franchise agreement, the Intellectual Property Code, and the Revised Corporation Code. Learn the rules.
Trade Secrets Protection in the Philippines: How the IP Code Safeguards Undisclosed Information
Trade secrets protection in the Philippines falls under the Intellectual Property Code, which covers undisclosed information and unfair competition.
Property Due Diligence in the Philippines: Checking a Land Title Before You Buy
Property due diligence in the Philippines means verifying the land title, checking for encumbrances, and confirming tax clearances before you buy real estate.
Patent Application Philippines: Requirements, Process, and Timeline
Filing a patent application in the Philippines? Learn the requirements, step-by-step process, and timeline under the Intellectual Property Code.
Conjugal vs. Exclusive Property in the Philippines: What Belongs to Whom
Learn the difference between conjugal and exclusive property in the Philippines, and how ownership is determined under Philippine law.
Double Sale in the Philippines: Good Faith and Due Diligence in Property Disputes
A buyer who fails to inspect the property before purchase cannot claim good faith in a double sale. The Supreme Court explains why.
Conditional Sale vs. Contract to Sell: A Supreme Court Ruling on Ownership, Breach, and Forum Shopping
The Supreme Court clarifies when a "conditional sale" is really a contract to sell, and warns against forum shopping in property disputes.
When a Parent Pays for Property in a Child's Name: Implied Trusts vs. Presumed Donations
Philippine law presumes a donation when a parent pays for property titled in a child's name. Learn how to overturn this presumption.
Unlawful Detainer vs Forcible Entry: Key Distinction in Property Possession Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies the crucial difference between unlawful detainer and forcible entry, and why tolerance must exist from the start of possession.
When Can a Writ of Possession Be Challenged? Property Rights Explained
A recent Supreme Court ruling clarifies when buyers of condominium units or parking slots can challenge a writ of possession issued after foreclosure.
Usufruct vs. Co-Ownership: When a Usufructuary Can Eject a Co-Owner
The Supreme Court clarifies that a usufructuary can eject a co-owner during the usufruct period, protecting family property arrangements.
Real Property Tax Sales: When Must a Taxpayer Deposit Disputed Funds
The Supreme Court clarifies when a taxpayer must deposit disputed funds under Section 267 of the Local Government Code to challenge a tax sale.
Navigating Land Expropriation and Title Reconstitution: A Philippine Law Guide
The Supreme Court clarifies how expropriation, reconstituted titles, and res judicata interact in property disputes.
Conjugal Property Presumptions: Protecting Separate Assets from a Spouse's Debts
Learn how the Supreme Court protects separate property from a spouse's debts and what evidence overcomes the conjugal presumption.