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.
Understanding Statutory Rape in the Philippines: Key Lessons From a Landmark Supreme Court Case
The Supreme Court explains statutory rape elements, penetration standards, and age proof in People v. Ordaneza.
Parricide Penalties in the Philippines: How Voluntary Surrender Affects Sentencing
Learn how mitigating circumstances like voluntary surrender affect parricide penalties under Philippine law, based on People v. Padilla.
Understanding Estafa in Property Transactions: The Importance of Clear Representations
The Supreme Court clarifies when selling an encumbered property amounts to estafa under the Revised Penal Code.
Illegal Discharge of Firearm: Key Lessons from a Philippine Supreme Court Case
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that firing a gun without intent to kill is still a crime, even without bullet holes or injury.
Understanding the Legal Nuances of Rape Cases Involving Minors in the Philippines
A clear guide to how Philippine courts handle rape cases involving minors, including key legal principles and practical considerations.
Lascivious Conduct Under RA 7610: What the Supreme Court Ruling Means
The Supreme Court upheld a conviction for lascivious conduct under RA 7610, clarifying how minors are protected from sexual abuse.
Treachery vs. Superior Strength in Murder Cases: Key Lessons from a 2021 Supreme Court Ruling
Understand when treachery and superior strength qualify a killing as murder under Philippine law, based on a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Double Jeopardy and Demurrer to Evidence: What People v. Baja Means for Philippine Criminal Cases
A granted demurrer to evidence is an acquittal. The Supreme Court explains why further prosecution is barred by double jeopardy.
Chain of Custody and the Objective Test: Why Drug Convictions Fail
The Supreme Court acquits a drug accused where the prosecution failed the objective test and chain of custody rules.
Understanding Witness Reliability in Criminal Cases: Insights from a Supreme Court Ruling
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how insanity defenses work in criminal cases and why witness credibility remains central to convictions.
Insanity Defense in Philippine Rape Cases: Key Insights from People v. Toledo
The Supreme Court clarifies when insanity can exempt an accused from criminal liability in rape cases, and why the defense failed in this case.
Attempted Rape with Homicide: Circumstantial Evidence and the Cabornay Case
The Supreme Court affirms that circumstantial evidence can convict in attempted rape with homicide, clarifying the standards under Philippine law.
Understanding Treachery in Murder Cases: Insights From a Supreme Court Ruling
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how treachery must be alleged in an Information and when an accused waives the right to question it.
Lascivious Conduct Involving Minors: Legal Standards and Defenses in the Philippines
Understand how Philippine courts define and penalize lascivious conduct against minors, including key defenses and evidentiary rules.
Understanding Probable Cause in Public Procurement: Insights From a Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
A mayor's conviction for graft and malversation over an illegal price escalation payment—key lessons on public fund disbursement.
Understanding the Chain of Custody Rule in Philippine Drug Cases: Insights from a Supreme Court Ruling
A Supreme Court ruling explains the chain of custody rule in drug cases and why compliance with Section 21 of RA 9165 is crucial.
Malversation and Anti-Graft Laws: Lessons from Sarion v. People on Public Fund Management
A Supreme Court ruling on malversation clarifies the duty of public officials to verify disbursements, with key lessons for government and contractors.
Statutory Rape and Intellectual Disability: The Villena Ruling Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies that rape of an intellectually disabled person with a mental age below 12 constitutes statutory rape under Philippine law.
Broken Chains: Safeguarding Rights in Drug Cases Through Strict Chain of Custody
A buy-bust conviction reversed because police failed the chain of custody rule under RA 9165. Learn the required links and witnesses.
The Prosecutor's Consent in Plea Bargaining: Insights from a Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a prosecutor's consent is indispensable for a valid plea bargain in drugs cases.
Arson with Homicide: How Circumstantial Evidence Secured a Conviction
The Supreme Court affirmed an arson-with-homicide conviction based solely on circumstantial evidence. Learn the legal standard and key lessons.
Rape Convictions and Victim Credibility: Lessons from a Robbery with Rape Case
The Supreme Court explains how victim testimony and conspiracy principles shape rape convictions in robbery with rape cases.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: When Facebook Posts Become a Crime
The Supreme Court clarifies how social media posts can constitute psychological abuse under RA 9262, and why using Facebook raises the penalty.
Understanding the Distinction Between Attempted and Frustrated Murder in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when a shooting is attempted, not frustrated, murder—and why proving the wound's fatality matters.