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.
Breach of Contract in Construction: Completion, Damages, and Mutual Breach Under Philippine Law
When both contractor and client breach a construction contract, Philippine courts equitably adjust damages. Learn the rules from a Supreme Court ruling.
Parental Liability in Statutory Rape: Philippine Law and Child Protection
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies statutory rape by a parent, penalties under RA 9346, and damages awarded to minor victims.
Substantial Justice Prevails When Philippine Courts Forgive Minor Procedural Lapses
Philippine courts prioritize substantial justice over procedural technicalities, but only for parties who followed the rules. Learn when lapses are forgiven.
Proving Rape in the Philippines: Force, Intimidation, and Rejecting the Sweetheart Defense
How Philippine courts weigh force and intimidation in rape cases, and why the sweetheart defense fails without solid proof.
Navigating Inconsistencies in Rape Testimony: Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence
The Supreme Court clarifies when inconsistencies in a rape victim's testimony matter and when they do not, acquitting on three counts but convicting on one.
Confidentiality Rules for Court Personnel: Lessons from a Legal Researcher's Misconduct Case
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when court personnel breach confidentiality and why even "harmless" disclosures to litigants constitute misconduct.
Sandiganbayan Jurisdiction: Private vs Public Corporations in the Philippines
When does the Sandiganbayan have jurisdiction over corporate officers? Learn from the Morales ruling on private vs public corporations.
Custody Consequences: Understanding Failure to Return a Minor Under Philippine Law
Learn what constitutes the crime of kidnapping and failure to return a minor under Philippine law, explained through a landmark Supreme Court case.
Lost Land Title Petitions: Court Limits, Due Diligence, and Protecting Property Rights
Learn how Philippine courts handle petitions for new owner's duplicate titles, including jurisdictional limits, due diligence duties, and key lessons from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
SSS Death Benefits: Does Legal Separation Bar a Spouse’s Claim?
Legal marriage alone does not guarantee SSS death benefits—surviving spouses must prove actual dependency, especially after separation.
Credible Testimony Prevails Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Lack of Medical Evidence
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on victim's credible testimony, ruling medical evidence of penetration is not indispensable.
Unmarried Couples and Property Rights in the Philippines: Proving Co-Ownership
Unmarried couples in the Philippines must prove actual joint contribution to co-own property. Learn the rules from Lacbayan v. Samoy.
Credibility of Sole Testimony in Rape Cases: Protecting Victims and Upholding Justice
The Supreme Court affirms that a rape victim's credible sole testimony can sustain a conviction, reinforcing protections for survivors in Philippine courts.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Integrity of Evidence Under RA 9165
Explaining People v. Presas on the chain of custody rule in drug cases—when lapses in procedure do not automatically break the prosecution's case.
Supreme Court Affirms Conviction in Incestuous Rape, Adjusts Damages
The High Court affirms a father's rape conviction, clarifies penalties under RA 8353, and adjusts civil, moral, and exemplary damages.
Docket Fees and Jurisdiction: The David Lu Case on Actions Incapable of Pecuniary Estimation
Learn how the Supreme Court's David Lu ruling clarifies docket fees and jurisdiction for actions incapable of pecuniary estimation in Philippine courts.
When Courts Overturn Convictions: Lessons on Evidence and Reasonable Doubt
The Supreme Court acquits a rape convict, explaining when appellate courts may disregard trial court credibility findings and why prosecution evidence must stand on its own.
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.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Proper Evidence Handling Matters
The Supreme Court explains the chain of custody rule in drug cases and when lapses in procedure will not defeat a conviction.
Sufficiency of Information in Criminal Cases: Ensuring Fair Notice to the Accused
How Philippine courts test whether a criminal Information sufficiently informs the accused of the charge, with lessons from a drug case.
Incestuous Rape in the Philippines: Parental Authority, Consent, and the Law
Understand how Philippine courts treat incestuous rape by a father, the role of moral ascendancy, and the penalties imposed.
Rape Conviction on Credible Testimony: Proving Qualifying Circumstances in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on rape conviction based on credible testimony, proving qualifying circumstances, and the effect of R.A. 9346 on the death penalty.
Statutory Rape in the Philippines: Understanding the Law and Protecting Children
The Supreme Court clarifies statutory rape rules under Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code, including penalties and damages for child victims.
Conspiracy and Credibility in Philippine Homicide Cases: Key Lessons from Bug-atan v. People
How Philippine courts weigh co-conspirator testimony, conspiracy evidence, and credibility in homicide and murder cases.