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.
When Archiving Criminal Cases Becomes Gross Ignorance of the Law: Ricablanca v. Barillo
A judge's duty to transmit preliminary investigation records to prosecutors, explained through the Supreme Court's ruling in Ricablanca v. Barillo.
Acquittal in Rape Cases: Reasonable Doubt and Witness Credibility in Philippine Law
How inconsistent testimony and reasonable doubt led to an acquittal in People v. Bongat, a landmark Philippine rape case.
Judicial Ethics: Why Judges Must Avoid Even the Appearance of Impropriety
A Supreme Court ruling on a judge soliciting donations from lawyers and prosecutors, and the duty to avoid impropriety.
Navigating Libel Law: Probable Cause and Privileged Communication in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that probable cause for libel is a prosecutor's call, and privileged communication is a trial defense.
GSIS Pension Rights: Recovering Retirement Benefits After a Wrongful Denial
Learn how the Supreme Court protects government retirees' pension rights, even when GSIS initially approved benefits under the wrong law.
Grave Coercion in Property Takeovers: The Navarra Ruling Explained
The Supreme Court ruled that forceful property repossession, even with a debt claim, constitutes grave coercion under Philippine law.
Probable Cause vs Equipoise Rule: Safeguarding Against Unjust Arrest in Arson Cases
When prosecutors flip-flop on probable cause, courts hold the line. Flores v. Gonzalez clarifies the equipoise rule and judicial independence.
Upholding Authority When A Teachers Defense Leads TO Direct Assault Conviction
Teacher's conviction for direct assault upheld by Supreme Court; defending a child does not justify attacking a fellow teacher in authority.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Evidence Integrity Matters
The Supreme Court explains what prosecutors must prove to establish an unbroken chain of custody in drug cases under RA 9165.
Re-Filing Graft Case Needs No New Preliminary Investigation When Only the Mode of Commission Changes
A re-filed graft information that changes only the mode of committing the offense, not its nature, does not require a new preliminary investigation.
Chain of Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the chain of custody rule in drug cases and why lapses can lead to acquittal.
Recanted Confession Inadmissible Against Co-Conspirators: Tamargo v. Awingan
The Supreme Court explains why a recanted extrajudicial confession cannot be used against alleged co-conspirators in criminal cases.
Accountability for Group Actions: Establishing Conspiracy in Criminal Law
Understand how Philippine courts determine conspiracy in criminal cases, when group liability attaches, and why mere presence or evasion of arrest does not equate to guilt.
Good Faith Prevails When Public Officials ACT Without Malice IN Granting Benefits
Supreme Court ruling on good faith as a defense in graft cases under RA 3019, Section 3(e), for public officials relying on agency issuances.
Clerk of Court Dismissed for Dishonesty in Handling Public Funds
Supreme Court dismisses clerk of court for failing to account for P256,530.25 in court fund shortages, affirming strict accountability standards.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Broken Links Mean Acquittal
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect over broken chain of custody, underscoring the strict rule on preserving evidence integrity.
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.
Chain of Custody Imperative Safeguarding Drug Evidence for Conviction
Philippine Supreme Court acquits drug suspect when prosecution fails to prove unbroken chain of custody of seized shabu.
Prosecutors Discretion in the Philippines: When Courts Can Intervene
When can courts review a prosecutor's or the Ombudsman's decision? The Supreme Court explains the limits of judicial intervention.
Probable Cause vs Prosecutorial Discretion: The Metrobank v. Gonzales Ruling on Trust Receipt Estafa
The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of the Secretary of Justice's power to reverse probable cause findings in trust receipt estafa cases.
Sexual Assault Credibility and Victim Rights in Philippine Rape Cases
How Philippine courts assess victim credibility in sexual assault cases, safeguard victim rights, and determine proper charges and penalties.
Who May File Libel Cases: City Prosecutor vs Provincial Prosecutor
Supreme Court rules on which prosecutor has authority to file libel Informations, and why a wrong prosecutor's filing is a fatal jurisdictional defect.
Mandatory Drug Testing Under RA 9165: What the Supreme Court Upheld and Struck Down
The Supreme Court upheld random drug testing for students and employees but struck down mandatory tests for candidates and criminal suspects.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Moral Ascendancy and Victim Testimony in Qualified Rape Cases
Supreme Court affirms qualified rape conviction, explaining moral ascendancy, victim credibility, and why date discrepancies do not defeat the prosecution's case.