Articles
The Mandatory Nature of Probate: A Comprehensive Analysis of Philippine Testamentary Law
Introduction: The “Hidden Will” Scenario Imagine a common scenario: A family patriarch passes away, leaving behind a substantial estate and a Last Will and Testament. The heirs read the will and discover that the process
Love is Not a Requirement: Why “Fixed Marriages” Are Valid in the Philippines
Love alone is not the only legal basis for marriage In the movies, marriage is the romantic climax of a love story—a union of two hearts beating as one. In the Philippines, however, the law
The Good Samaritan’s Dilemma: When Kindness Costs You Your Property (A Guide to Possession by Tolerance)
I. The High Price of “Pakikisama” It is a story we hear all too often in our practice. A landowner, acting out of pakikisama (social harmony) or simple benevolence, allows a relative, a former employee, or a
Correcting Birth Records and Filiation of Illegitimate Children in the Philippines: A Guide to Rule 108 and RA 9255
I. The Weight of a Name In the Philippines, a name is more than a label; it is the primary badge of legal status and lineage. The Certificate of Live Birth (COLB) is the foundational
Prenuptial Agreements vs. Postnuptial Agreements: What’s the Difference
The Stakes of Modern Marriage Marriage in the Philippines is more than a sentimental union; it is a complex legal merger. In an increasingly globalized society, the traditional Filipino family is evolving, yet the laws
Sovereignty of the Soil: State Mining Mandates vs. Indigenous Territorial Rights
The rain in the Caraballo Mountains does not wash away the red mud; it only makes the barricade slicker. On January 23, 2026, in Dupax Del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya, the metallic click of handcuffs silenced
Divorced Abroad, Still Married Here? A Guide to Judicial Recognition in the Philippines Judicial Recognition of Foreign Divorce
Introduction: The Filipino Marital Paradox The Philippines stands almost alone in the world, alongside the Vatican City, as a nation without a general law on absolute divorce. For the average Filipino couple living in Manila
Employment Contracts and New Beginnings: Navigating Renewals and Modifications Under Philippine Law
The new year often brings a wave of “new beginnings” in the corporate world. For many Filipino employees, this season marks the ritual of signing documents: a contract renewal, a promotion offer, or a memo
Unseen Scars: A Comprehensive Analysis of Psychological Violence Under RA 9262 in the Philippines
Violence within the Filipino family has historically been viewed through a narrow lens, often limited to visible physical injuries. However, the enactment of Republic Act No. 9262, known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their