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.
Incestuous Rape: Credibility of a Victim's Testimony in Cases of Parental Abuse
When a mentally disabled minor is raped, her testimony can convict. The Supreme Court explains why in People v. Mabonga.
Grave Threats Case: Why Judges Must Apply Summary Procedure Correctly
In Riño v. Cawaling, the Supreme Court fined a judge for gross ignorance of the law in misapplying summary procedure in a grave threats case.
Possession vs Dominion: Defining Illegal Drug Possession in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies actual vs constructive possession of illegal drugs, and when spouses sharing a home may both be liable.
Flight From Justice: How Fugitive Status Can Bar Appeal Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains how a fugitive's escape from custody can lead to dismissal of their appeal and loss of legal remedies.
Buy-Bust Operations Validity and the Principle of Entrapment in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court explains when buy-bust operations are valid and how entrapment differs from instigation in drug cases.
Circumstantial Evidence and Reckless Imprudence: When a Vehicular Homicide Is Not Murder
The Supreme Court explains when a fatal jeepney accident is reckless imprudence, not murder, and how circumstantial evidence is weighed.
Self-Defense and Intent to Kill: The Case of Conrado Casitas
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense fails and intent to kill is shown by the number and location of wounds inflicted.
Erroneous Identification Leads to Acquittal Safeguarding Due Process in Criminal Proceedings
The Supreme Court acquits a murder convict when a suggestive police showup and unreliable eyewitness identification violate due process.
Reasonable Doubt Safeguarding Liberty in Kidnapping Cases
A look at People v. Obeso, where the Supreme Court acquitted a man of kidnapping, stressing that conviction requires proof beyond reasonable doubt.
When Doubt Shadows Evidence: Reversal of Drug Conviction Due to Witness Credibility
Supreme Court acquits drug suspects after prosecution witness found to have history of framing accused in buy-bust operations.
Correcting Penalties in Drug Cases: Fair Application of Republic Act No. 7659
When a drug conviction carries an impossible penalty, the Supreme Court can correct it even after finality—here's how.
Honesty Required: Falsifying Personal Data Sheets Leads to Dismissal in the Judiciary
Court employee dismissed for lying about a pending criminal case in his personal data sheets. Learn the rule on honesty in public service.
DARAB Contempt Powers: Why Arrest Orders Must Come From Courts
The Supreme Court limits DARAB's contempt power—arrest orders for indirect contempt must come from the Regional Trial Court, not administrative bodies.
Judicial Conduct: Errors of Judgment vs Misconduct in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a judge's error is mere error of judgment versus administrative misconduct requiring bad faith.
Judicial Accountability and the Good Faith Defense Against Unjust Judgment Charges
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that judges cannot be held administratively liable for erroneous rulings made in good faith, absent malice or bad faith.
When Killing a Child Is Treachery: The Ostia Murder Case
Explaining why killing a four-year-old is treachery, and why the Court still reduced the penalty to reclusion perpetua.
Unlawful Arrest and Admissible Evidence: Key Lessons from a Robbery Case
How the Supreme Court protected constitutional rights by excluding evidence from an unlawful warrantless arrest in a robbery case.
Circumstantial Evidence and Murder Convictions: The People vs. Diaz Case
Learn how the Supreme Court upheld a murder conviction based solely on circumstantial evidence in People vs. Diaz, and what this means for Philippine criminal law.
Prescription of Penalties: Why Actual Imprisonment Matters in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when prescription of penalties begins—only after a convict actually escapes from imprisonment.
Prescription of Penalties: Evasion of Sentence Requires Prior Imprisonment
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: prescription of penalty starts only when a convicted person escapes from actual imprisonment, not from hiding.
Flight as Evidence of Guilt in Philippine Criminal Cases: People v. Lobrigas
When does running away or escaping detention prove guilt? The Supreme Court explains the legal weight of flight in criminal cases.
Buy-Bust Operations and Warrantless Arrests: The Balance Between Law Enforcement and Individual Rights
The Supreme Court explains when a buy-bust operation justifies a warrantless arrest and seizure of drugs, balancing police work and constitutional rights.
How Youth and Voluntary Surrender Affect Criminal Liability in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when voluntary surrender is a mitigating circumstance and how self-defense claims are judged.
Self-Defense Claims and Unlawful Aggression: Lessons from People v. Tadeo
The Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense fails and how intoxication, provocation, and surrender affect criminal liability in homicide cases.