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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The Limits of Self-Defense: Establishing Unlawful Aggression in Homicide Cases
Explore how Philippine courts require clear proof of unlawful aggression for self-defense claims, using a 2010 murder case as guide.
Intent to Gain in Robbery With Homicide: Key Element in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains intent to gain as a decisive element in robbery with homicide, clarifying the rules on killing incidental to robbery.
When Silence Isn't Golden: Affirmative Identification and Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
The Supreme Court in Vidar v. People explains why delayed reporting, mug-shot identification, and relationship to the victim do not necessarily weaken a prosecution for robbery with homicide.
Proximate Cause and Criminal Liability for Unintended Death in the Philippines
When a beating triggers a fatal heart attack, is the attacker liable for homicide? The Supreme Court explains proximate cause under Article 4 of the Revised Penal Code.
Limits of Abuse of Superior Strength: Redefining Attempted Homicide in the Philippines
Supreme Court clarifies when abuse of superior strength qualifies a crime, reducing a conviction from attempted murder to attempted homicide.
Eyewitness Testimony and Conspiracy Decide Double Murder Case
How credible eyewitness testimony and conspiracy principles led to homicide convictions in a juvenile double murder case.
Proof Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Conspiracy and Murder: The Maliao Case
A look at how the Supreme Court distinguished conspiracy from mere accomplice liability in a rape-with-homicide case.
Accomplice Liability in Rape With Homicide: Clarifying the Degree of Participation
The Supreme Court clarifies when a witness to a crime becomes an accomplice, not a principal, in rape with homicide.
Robbery With Homicide: When the Killing Lacks the Required Connection to the Robbery
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a killing is "by reason or on the occasion" of robbery, and when separate crimes result instead.
Accountability FOR ALL Establishing Conspiracy IN Robbery With Homicide
A conviction for robbery with homicide does not require each conspirator to wield the weapon. Presence and common purpose suffice.
Robbery with Homicide in the Philippines: How Conspiracy Expands Criminal Liability
In People v. Musa, the Supreme Court held that all conspirators in a robbery are liable for robbery with homicide even if they did not take part in the killing.
Confession as Key Evidence in Rape with Homicide: The Weight of Judicial Admission
How a voluntary confession and circumstantial evidence secured a rape-with-homicide conviction, and what this means for criminal cases.
THE Perils OF Presence Establishing Conspiracy IN Robbery With Homicide Under Philippine LAW
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.
When Silence Speaks: Examining Eyewitness Delay in Homicide Cases
Supreme Court clarifies that delayed eyewitness reporting doesn't automatically destroy credibility when fear explains the silence.
Kidnapping for Ransom with Homicide: Accountability and Admissibility of Confessions
Supreme Court affirms conviction for kidnapping for ransom with homicide, clarifying conspiracy liability and rules on extra-judicial confessions.
Confession as Evidence Overcoming Hearsay in Robbery With Homicide and Carnapping Convictions
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when an accused's confession to a witness is admissible evidence, not hearsay, in robbery with homicide and carnapping cases.
Distinguishing Homicide From Robbery With Homicide Intent IS KEY
The Supreme Court clarifies when a killing is mere homicide, not robbery with homicide, and explains the intent requirement.
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.
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.
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.
Eyewitness Identification and Inconsistent Statements in Robbery with Homicide Cases
How Philippine courts weigh eyewitness testimony, minor inconsistencies, and alibi defenses in robbery with homicide convictions.