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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Eyewitness Identification AND Conspiracy IN Murder Cases Establishing Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
Private Parties and Conspiracy Under Section 3(g) of RA 3019 Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies that private individuals may be charged with Section 3(g) of the Anti-Graft Law when conspiring with public officers.
Conspiracy and Corruption: Private Actors Under the Anti-Graft Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that private individuals may be charged with violating Section 3(g) of the Anti-Graft Law when they conspire with public officers.
Confessions Under Duress: Safeguarding Rights in Custodial Investigations
The Supreme Court nullifies an illiterate suspect's confession obtained without proper Miranda warnings, reinforcing constitutional safeguards in custodial investigations.
Attempted Rape With Homicide: Supreme Court Affirms Conspiracy, Treachery, Rejects Intoxication Defense
The Supreme Court affirms the conviction for attempted rape with homicide, explaining conspiracy, treachery, and why intoxication and lack of instruction defenses failed.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails When Circumstantial Evidence Falls Short in Murder Cases
The Supreme Court acquits a police officer of murder, ruling that circumstantial evidence and unalleged conspiracy cannot overcome reasonable doubt.
Fixed-Term Employment and Security of Tenure: When Contracts Expire Without Illegal Dismissal
The Supreme Court explains when fixed-term employment is valid and why expiration of a contract is not illegal dismissal.
When a Security Guard Can Validly Receive Summons: The Robinson v. Miralles Doctrine
The Supreme Court ruled that substituted service of summons through a security guard can be valid when a defendant obstructs personal service.
Lease Extension Balancing Landlord Rights and Tenant Long-Term Occupancy
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when courts may extend a lease under Article 1687 and how to compute reasonable rent after expiration.
Conspiracy in Estafa: Shared Criminal Intent for Fraud Conviction
How Philippine courts infer conspiracy in estafa cases, using overt acts before, during, and after the crime to prove shared criminal intent.
Philippine Supreme Court Upholds Consumer Rights Publication Required FOR Electricity Rate Hikes
The Supreme Court ruled that electricity rate hike applications must be published and opened for public comment, protecting consumer rights under the EPIRA.
Forestry Laws: Driver Liability and Knowledge in Illegal Logging Cases
Supreme Court ruling on truck driver liability for transporting undocumented lumber under the Revised Forestry Code, and how knowledge and conspiracy are proven.
When Rape Is Attempted, Not Consummated: The Miranda Case on Penetration
The Supreme Court clarifies when rape is attempted rather than consummated, and how penalties and damages differ under Philippine law.
Attempted vs. Consummated Rape in the Philippines: The Penetration Rule in People v. Miranda
Philippine law once required penile penetration for consummated rape. People v. Miranda shows why digital penetration meant attempted rape—and a lesser penalty.
Power Rates and Public Notice: Why Transparency Matters in Philippine Electricity Regulations
A Supreme Court ruling on Meralco's generation charge increase clarifies when public notice and publication are required for rate adjustments under EPIRA.
When Judges Ignore Procedure: A Lesson from the Luna v. Mirafuente Sanction
A judge's failure to apply the Revised Rule on Summary Procedure in an ejectment case leads to a severe reprimand from the Supreme Court.
Large-Scale Illegal Recruitment: When Conspiracy and Acts of Participation Establish Guilt
The Supreme Court explains when a person who did not collect fees can still be liable for large-scale illegal recruitment through conspiracy.
Court Employees' Duty to Accurate Timekeeping: Duque v. Aspiras
A look at Duque v. Aspiras on the duty of court employees to keep accurate time records and the consequences of logbook irregularities.
Protecting Local Autonomy: The Automatic Release of Internal Revenue Allotments
The Supreme Court struck down GAA provisions placing P10 billion of IRA under unprogrammed funds, affirming automatic release.
Sandiganbayan Jurisdiction in Malversation and Illegal Use of Public Funds: The Barriga Doctrine on Conspiracy
Learn when the Sandiganbayan has jurisdiction over malversation and illegal use of public funds, even if the accused is not an accountable officer, based on the Barriga ruling.
Judicial Misconduct: Judge Exceeds Authority in Preliminary Investigation
When a judge oversteps authority by conducting preliminary investigations, the Supreme Court steps in. Learn from Ribaya v. Binamira-Parcia.
Custodial Death Conspiracy When Jail Guards Duties Dont Equal Guilt
Probable Cause in Search Warrants: Lessons from Sony Music v. Judge Espanol
The Supreme Court quashed a search warrant in a copyright case because the applicant and witnesses had no personal knowledge that the discs were pirated, only hearsay.
Civil Liability After Acquittal: Investment Fraud and Due Diligence in the Philippines
When does an acquittal in estafa still leave room for civil liability? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on damages, conspiracy, and investor due diligence.