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.
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.
Conspiracy and Liability in Rape: Understanding Shared Criminal Intent
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies conspiracy rules in rape cases, explaining when co-accused share criminal liability.
Eyewitness Testimony and Alibi Defense: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Arson Cases
How a credible lone eyewitness can overcome alibi and denial in Philippine arson prosecutions, with practical lessons.
Copyright Infringement and Prescription: What Retailers Should Know
A look at how filing a complaint with the DOJ interrupts prescription, and what it means for retailers accused of selling counterfeit goods.
Delaying Tactics Unveiled: Repeated Motions to Quash in Criminal Proceedings
The Supreme Court rules that repeated motions to quash and inhibit judges are delaying tactics that impede justice.
Preliminary Inquiry vs Prosecution Probable Cause: Key Distinction in Arrest Warrants
The Supreme Court clarifies the difference between a judge's arrest-warrant inquiry and a prosecutor's probable cause determination in preliminary investigations.
Proving Illegal Sale of Shabu: The Role of Informants and Buy-Bust Operations
A Supreme Court ruling explains what prosecutors must prove in illegal drug sales cases and when an informant's testimony is dispensable.
Buy-Bust Operations and the Objective Test in Philippine Drug Cases
The Supreme Court explains the "objective" test for buy-bust operations and when a lone police witness can prove drug selling beyond reasonable doubt.
Conspiracy and Treachery in Murder: Collective Intent Under Philippine Law
How Philippine courts infer conspiracy and treachery from concerted acts, and the damages rules in murder convictions.
Trademark Rights vs Registration: Resolving Unfair Competition Claims
The Supreme Court clarifies how trademark registration and actual use affect unfair competition claims under the Intellectual Property Code.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Unbroken Evidence Integrity Matters
Philippine Supreme Court acquits drug suspect over broken chain of custody, stressing the need to prove the seized drugs' identity beyond reasonable doubt.
Written Notice of Dishonor Is Essential in B.P. 22 Cases: Bax v. People
The Supreme Court clarifies that oral demands do not suffice—written notice of dishonor is required to convict under the Bouncing Checks Law.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: When Facebook Posts Lead to Higher Penalties
The Supreme Court clarifies how social media posts can prove psychological abuse under RA 9262 and why ICT use raises the penalty.
Possession of Stolen Cattle and Proof of Guilt in Anti-Cattle Rustling Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how possession of stolen cattle establishes guilt beyond reasonable doubt under the Anti-Cattle Rustling Law.
Navigating Libel, Good Faith, and Fair Comment in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains when good faith and fair comment can defeat a libel charge, using a policyholder's published notice as the case study.
Probable Cause and Judicial Discretion: Examining the Dismissal of Rape Cases in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when a judge may dismiss a rape case for lack of probable cause, and when such dismissal constitutes grave abuse of discretion.
Treachery and Witness Credibility in Philippine Murder Convictions
How credible eyewitness testimony and treachery shape murder convictions in the Philippines, with lessons from People v. Dulanas.
Perjury in the Philippines: When a False Statement Is Not a Crime
The Supreme Court explains why negligence, not malice, in a sworn statement does not amount to perjury under Philippine law.
Perjury in the Philippines: Proving Willful Falsehood in Legal Statements
The Supreme Court explains when a false statement under oath becomes perjury, requiring willful and deliberate intent beyond mere error.
Reopening Criminal Cases in the Philippines: The Hearing Requirement Under Rule 119
When can a Philippine court reopen a criminal case before judgment? The rules require a hearing—and the Supreme Court has enforced that requirement.
Ombudsman's Discretion in Graft Cases: When Courts Step In
Explore how Philippine courts review Ombudsman discretion in graft cases, balancing prosecutorial independence with judicial oversight.
Protecting Subdivision Buyers: Contracts to Sell Must Be Registered
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies that subdivision developers must register contracts to sell with the Register of Deeds under P.D. 957.