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.
Self Defense Claims in Philippine Criminal Law: When Do They Hold Up
Philippine courts require unlawful aggression, reasonable necessity, and lack of provocation for self-defense. Learn from People v. Tobias.
Unlicensed Firearm Possession and Homicide: Lessons from People v. Tobias
The Supreme Court explains when a firearm is considered unlicensed, and why a belatedly obtained license cannot cure illegal possession.
Passion Provocation and Criminal Liability: Understanding Homicide in the Philippines
When does anger mitigate a killing? The Supreme Court explains passion or obfuscation, treachery, and homicide in People v. Valles.
Psychological Incapacity as Grounds for Annulment in the Philippines
Explore how Philippine courts apply psychological incapacity in annulment cases, using the landmark Chi Ming Tsoi ruling.
Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies: When Can You Skip the Line to Court?
Learn when the exhaustion rule applies, its exceptions, and why a replevin suit failed against DENR forfeiture.
When Can the Ombudsman Investigate Judges? The Dolalas Rule on Judicial Independence
The Supreme Court clarifies the boundary between Ombudsman authority and judicial independence in investigating judges for delay.
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.
Homicide vs. Murder: How Philippine Courts Read Criminal Intent in an Information
A Supreme Court ruling explains when amending an information from homicide to murder is only a formal change, not a violation of the accused's rights.
Judicial Accountability: Supreme Court Reprimands Judge for Undue Delay in Case Resolution
Supreme Court holds judges accountable for delays, reprimanding a judge who failed to decide cases within the reglementary period.
When Courts Must Decide Election Protests: The 15-Day Mandatory Period
A judge's one-year delay in resolving a barangay election protest led to a fine for gross inefficiency. Learn the mandatory 15-day rule.
Why Delayed Election Protests Violate Judicial Duty: Lessons from A.M. No. MTJ-95-1033
A judge's 19-month delay in resolving a barangay election protest was ruled gross inefficiency. Learn the mandatory deadlines and standards.
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.
When Judges Overstep in Preliminary Investigations: A Lesson from Depamaylo v. Brotarlo
A judge reduced murder to homicide to grant bail, ignored prosecution rights, and was fined P20,000 for misconduct.
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.
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.
Successor Liability in Philippine Labor Law: When New Owners Inherit Labor Obligations
Learn when a successor company inherits a predecessor's labor obligations under Philippine law, based on the Caliguia ruling.
Negligence Trumps Fortuitous Events: Service Shops Must Insure Customer Vehicles
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a service shop's failure to insure customer property makes it liable for loss by fire, even if the fire is a fortuitous event.
Understanding Evident Premeditation and Self-Dense Claims in Philippine Murder Cases
Learn how Philippine courts prove evident premeditation and evaluate self-defense claims, based on a 1996 Supreme Court ruling.
Habeas Corpus After Criminal Charges: When Illegal Arrest No Longer Justifies Release
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when habeas corpus becomes moot after criminal charges are filed and bail is posted.
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.
Treachery (Alevosia) in Philippine Murder Cases: The Apawan Ruling Explained
Learn how treachery (alevosia) qualifies a killing as murder under Philippine law, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in People vs. Apawan.