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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Amnesty in the Philippines: Erasing Criminal Liability for Political Offenses — Lessons from People v. Patriar
How Philippine amnesty works, what it erases, and why the Supreme Court acquitted an NPA member in People v. Patriarca.
Treachery in Philippine Murder Cases: Intent and Execution Explained
How Philippine courts define treachery in murder, why it raises killing to murder, and what it means for criminal liability.
Conspiracy in Rape Cases: Collective Criminal Liability Under Philippine Law
How Philippine courts apply conspiracy to hold all participants in a gang rape equally liable, even those who did not directly commit the act.
Conspiracy and Criminal Liability in Group Violence: Lessons from People v. Barro
When multiple attackers kill together, conspiracy makes each equally liable. The Barro case explains how courts infer conspiracy.
Rape Conviction of 82-Year-Old Upheld: Age, Impotency, and Credibility Examined
The Supreme Court affirms an octogenarian's rape conviction, ruling that old age and alleged impotency do not automatically negate criminal liability.
Treachery and Voluntary Surrender: Navigating Criminal Liability in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains how treachery qualifies murder and voluntary surrender mitigates liability, using Rivera v. Court of Appeals.
Can Administrative Dismissal Extinguish Criminal Liability? A Philippine Case Study
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies that dismissal of administrative charges does not extinguish criminal liability under Article 89 of the RPC.
Bouncing Checks and Criminal Liability: Why Account Sufficiency Matters
Philippine Supreme Court explains when issuing a check against a closed account becomes a crime under BP 22, and why account sufficiency at issuance is key.
Conspiracy and Homicide: How Group Violence Establishes Criminal Liability
The Supreme Court explains how conspiracy in group violence makes every participant liable for murder, even without inflicting the fatal wound.
Conspiracy and Intent: How Philippine Courts Establish Criminal Liability
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how conspiracy and intent establish criminal liability, and why charging documents must state every qualifying circumstance.
Intoxication and Criminal Liability: Lessons from People v. Acaya
The Supreme Court clarifies how intoxication affects criminal liability, treachery, and penalties in a Philippine homicide case.
Treachery in Concerted Attacks: Establishing Liability in Group Violence
How Philippine courts determine criminal liability when multiple persons attack a victim, using the Alberto Blanco murder case as a guide.
Treachery Unveiled: Criminal Liability in Sudden Armed Attacks
How the Supreme Court distinguished treachery from mere sudden attacks, and why alibi fails against positive identification by eyewitnesses.
Conspiracy and Treachery in Murder: Collective Criminal Liability Explained
How the Supreme Court applied conspiracy and treachery to hold all participants equally liable for murder, even without each inflicting the fatal blow.
What Constitutes Inducement to Commit a Crime: Philippine Supreme Court Clarifies Criminal Liability
The Supreme Court explains when words or orders amount to "inducement" making one a principal by induction, using a kidnapping case.
Conspiracy and Criminal Liability in the Philippines: Accomplice vs Principal Liability
Understanding Philippine criminal liability through People v. Sarabia, explaining self-defense, treachery, and the distinction between accomplice and principal liability.
Treachery and Passion: Understanding Murder and Mitigating Circumstances in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains when sudden attacks qualify as treachery and why passion and obfuscation may reduce criminal liability.
Accomplice or Conspirator? Decoding Criminal Liability in Philippine Murder Cases
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a lookout is an accomplice, not a conspirator, in murder cases.
Unmasking Insurance Fraud: How Conspiracy and Falsification Lead to Conviction in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on insurance fraud, conspiracy, and falsification of documents, and what it means for criminal liability.
When Silence Isn't Golden: Why Denying the Crime Doesn't Guarantee Innocence in Philippine Courts
Philippine courts don't presume innocence from denial alone. Learn how procedural rules and evidence shape criminal liability in this legal analysis.
When Silence Implicates: Understanding Conspiracy in Philippine Murder Cases
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains how mere presence and inaction during a crime can establish conspiracy and criminal liability.
When Presence Becomes Participation: Understanding Conspiracy in Philippine Criminal Law
Explore how the Supreme Court in People v. Sanchez defined conspiracy, distinguishing mere presence from concerted action in criminal liability.
Void Contracts and Official Overreach: Due Process in Philippine Law
When can public officials take over a leased public market? The Supreme Court clarifies void contracts, due process, and criminal liability under the Anti-Graft Law.
Novation Is Not a Get-Out-of-Jail Free Card: Understanding Estafa and Criminal Liability in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when novation can extinguish criminal liability in estafa cases, and when it cannot.