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.
Possession of Illegal Timber: Navigating Philippine Forestry Laws
The Supreme Court clarifies that mere possession of timber without legal documents is a crime under the Revised Forestry Code, even if the timber came from a legal source.
Robbery With Homicide: Understanding the Composite Crime in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that robbery with homicide is a single composite crime, regardless of how many people are killed.
Child Abuse and Parricide: Understanding the Legal Consequences in the Philippines
A father's brutal killing of his two-year-old son led to a parricide conviction. Learn the legal rules and penalties.
Eyewitness Testimony in Philippine Criminal Law: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
Understand how Philippine courts weigh eyewitness testimony in criminal cases and the constitutional standard of proof beyond reasonable doubt.
Conspiracy in Philippine Criminal Law: How Joint Criminal Liability Is Established
Explaining how Philippine courts infer conspiracy from concerted acts, using the 1996 case of People v. Villanueva and Durana.
Why a Victim’s Testimony Can Be Enough to Convict in Rape Cases
The Supreme Court explains when a rape victim’s sole testimony suffices for conviction and why resistance is not always required.
Eyewitness Testimony in the Philippines: When Is It Enough to Convict?
The Supreme Court explains when eyewitness testimony is enough to convict—and when it isn't—in People v. Abellanosa.
Juvenile Justice Understanding Mitigation AND Criminal Liability IN THE Philippines
How Philippine courts treat juvenile offenders, minority as mitigating circumstance, and criminal liability under the law.
Alibi vs Eyewitness Testimony: How Philippine Courts Decide Criminal Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when alibi fails against positive eyewitness identification, and how minority affects sentencing in murder cases.
Conspiracy and Credibility: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Philippine Criminal Law
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, explaining how trial court credibility findings and circumstantial evidence establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Circumstantial Evidence in Philippine Criminal Law: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
How Philippine courts weigh circumstantial evidence and witness credibility in criminal cases, explained through a landmark rape conviction.
Affidavits of Desistance and Witness Recantations: Their Limited Impact on Philippine Criminal Cases
Philippine courts view affidavits of desistance and witness recantations with disfavor. Learn why from People v. Ballabare.
Circumstantial Evidence and the Right Against Self-Incrimination in Philippine Criminal Law
The Supreme Court explains when circumstantial evidence suffices for conviction and why the right against self-incrimination does not cover physical evidence.
Robbery With Homicide: Conspiracy and Constitutional Rights in Philippine Law
A Philippine Supreme Court case explains conspiracy in robbery with homicide and the exclusionary rule for evidence from illegal arrests.
Probation After Appeal Understanding THE Waiver Rule IN THE Philippines
Learn how appealing a conviction waives probation eligibility in the Philippines, based on Supreme Court rulings and the Probation Law.
Rape Conviction Based on Victim's Testimony: Philippine Jurisprudence Analysis
Examining the Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Apilo on the sufficiency of a minor rape victim's testimony and the rules on credibility.
Understanding Conspiracy and Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: A Case Study
How the Supreme Court applied conspiracy and treachery in a murder case, explained in plain language for everyday readers.
Eyewitness Testimony When Doubt Leads To Acquittal IN Philippine Courts
When does a lone eyewitness's testimony fail the test of moral certainty? The Supreme Court explains in People v. Perez.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Sudden Attacks and Intent
The Supreme Court explains when a sudden, unexpected attack qualifies as treachery, aggravating a killing to murder under Philippine law.
Rape and Incest in the Philippines: Legal Consequences and Victim Rights
A father's repeated rape of his daughter yields three reclusion perpetua terms and P225,000 in damages, clarifying Philippine incest-rape law.
Illegal Recruitment and Estafa in the Philippines: Key Lessons from a Supreme Court Case
Learn how Philippine courts handle illegal recruitment and estafa, and what job seekers must know to avoid scams.
Retroactive Application of Reduced Penalties: A Guide to R.A. 7659
When can a final sentence be reduced by a new law? The Supreme Court explains the retroactive effect of R.A. 7659 on drug penalties.
Navigating Illegal Recruitment: Protecting Yourself From Scams and Fraud
The Supreme Court affirms that illegal recruitment in large scale is economic sabotage. Learn how to spot and avoid overseas employment scams.
Conspiracy and Circumstantial Evidence: When Is It Enough for Conviction
The Supreme Court clarifies when circumstantial evidence and conspiracy can—and cannot—support a criminal conviction beyond reasonable doubt.