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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Carnapping Penalties: The Critical Importance of Allegations in the Information
In Andres v. People, the Supreme Court lowered a carnapping penalty because the Information failed to allege the qualifying circumstances proven at trial.
Accountability for Deadly Assault: Distinguishing Frustrated Homicide from Murder Through Intent and Circumsta
The Supreme Court clarifies when a near-fatal bolo attack is frustrated homicide versus murder, and how intent and treachery are proven.
Marital Discord and Deadly Conspiracy: Establishing Parricide Through Circumstantial Evidence
Explore how Philippine courts convict parricide when a spouse conspires with a lover to kill, relying on circumstantial evidence.
Shared Intent, Shared Liability: Understanding Conspiracy in Philippine Murder Cases
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling on murder, treachery, and voluntary surrender shows how intent and circumstance shape criminal liability and damages.
Mispleading Relationship in Rape Cases: Impact on Qualifying Circumstances
When an information misstates the offender's relationship to the victim, a qualifying circumstance fails, reducing rape to its simple form.
Intentional Burning and Syndicate Aggravation: Defining Arson and Its Penalties in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies arson's elements and the syndicate aggravating circumstance that raises the penalty to reclusion perpetua.
Newspaper Circulation and Foreclosure: Ensuring Public Notice in Property Sales
Supreme Court nullifies foreclosure sale because notice was published in a newspaper not circulated in the city where the property was located.
Psychological Incapacity Reassessing Marital Nullity Under Article 36 of the Family Code
The Supreme Court clarifies that psychological incapacity under Article 36 need not fit rigid molds, urging a case-by-case, totality-of-circumstances approach.
Falsifying Personal Data Sheets: Dishonesty in Public Service and Its Penalties
The Supreme Court ruled that falsifying entries in a government employee's Personal Data Sheet constitutes dishonesty, but mitigating circumstances may reduce the penalty of dismissal.
Treachery in Murder: What the Supreme Court Requires for Conviction
The Supreme Court clarifies treachery as a qualifying circumstance in murder, explaining what evidence proves it and why evident premeditation failed in this case.
Brokers Entitlement Commission Rights Despite Sale Circumvention
Protecting Minors Rape Conviction Upheld Clarifying Aggravating Circumstances AND Penalties
Provocation and Intent When a Fistfight Leads to Unexpected Consequences
A lucky punch in a fistfight caused death. The Court ruled on provocation, intent, and mitigating circumstances in homicide.
Circumstantial Evidence and DNA in Rape with Homicide: When Conviction Stands Beyond Reasonable Doubt
The Supreme Court affirms a rape-with-homicide conviction based on circumstantial evidence, explaining when inconclusive DNA results do not warrant acquittal.
SEC Memorandum Circulars: Publication and Filing Required for Effectivity
Supreme Court rules SEC Memorandum Circular No. 2, Series of 1994 invalid for lack of publication and filing, affecting filing fee assessments.
Rape and Reasonable Doubt: Why the Supreme Court Spared an Incestuous Father from Death
The Supreme Court explains why a father convicted of raping his daughter was sentenced to reclusion perpetua, not death, for lack of proof of qualifying circumstances.
Consummated Rape: Degree of Penetration and Victim Testimony in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on rape penetration, victim testimony, and proof of qualifying circumstances for proper conviction.
Sheriffs Neglect OF Duty A Balance Between Justice AND Mitigating Circumstances
Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt: Confessions and Corroboration in Murder and Homicide Cases
How Philippine courts weigh confessions, corroborating testimony, and circumstantial evidence to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt in murder and homicide cases.
Guilt by Association: Circumstantial Evidence and Conviction in the Philippines
How Philippine courts use circumstantial evidence to convict, explained through a murder case where no one saw the killing.
Diminished Liability Distinguishing Homicide From Murder in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains when abuse of superior strength fails as a qualifying circumstance, reducing murder to homicide in the Philippines.
Homicide and Self-Defense: Burden of Proof and Mitigating Circumstances
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains why self-defense must be proven by the accused and how courts assess voluntary surrender and damages in homicide cases.
Circumstantial Evidence in Arson with Homicide: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
How Philippine courts use circumstantial evidence to convict in arson with homicide cases, explained through People v. Gil.
Security of Tenure Prevails: Fixed-Term Contracts Must Not Circumvent Workers’ Rights
The Supreme Court rules that fixed-term contracts cannot be used to circumvent an employee's security of tenure under Philippine labor law.