Declaration of Nullity – Page 9 – Causing Dela Cruz Law Office

Under the Revised Rules of Civil Procedure (A.M. No. 19-10-20-SC ) a lawyer who signs a pleading, likewise certifies that:

The pleading or document is not being presented for any improper purpose.
The claims, defenses, and other legal contentions are warranted by existing law or jurisprudence. Arguments for extending, modifying, or reversing existing jurisprudence must be non-frivolous.
Factual contentions have evidentiary support or, if specifically so identified, will likely have evidentiary support after availing of the modes of discovery.
Denials of factual contentions are warranted by evidence or, if specifically so identified, based on belief or lack of information.

The lawyer is also now required to conduct a reasonable inquiry under the circumstances prior to certifying such matters.

The Court may impose sanctions on the lawyer, law firm, or party found to have violated these undertakings. In case of law firms, they are severally liable for violations committed by their partners, associates, or employees. Monetary penalties cannot be shifted or passed on to their clients.

In general, only Filipino citizens and corporations or partnerships with least 60% of the shares are owned by Filipinos are entitled to own or acquire land in the Philippines subject to the following exceptions:

acquired before the 1935 Philippine Constitution
acquired by reason of succession or inheritance (parent/s was/were Filipino citizens at the time of their death)
purchase of not more than 40% interest in a condominium project
Former natural-born Filipinos can own land in the Philippines, subject to limitations prescribed by Philippine Republic Act 8179 (for residence purposes- up to 1000 square meters of urban land or one hectare of rural land) and Batas Pambansa 185 (for business or investment purposes 5000 square meters of urban land or three hectares of rural land).
Filipinos who are married to aliens who retain their Filipino citizenship, unless by their act or omission they have renounced their Filipino citizenship