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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Irresistible Force: When You Are Not Criminally Liable Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains when acting under irresistible force or duress exempts a person from criminal liability, acquitting a tricycle driver of robbery with homicide.
Bouncing Checks as Guarantees in the Philippines: BP 22 and Criminal Liability
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that checks issued as guarantees or deposits still fall under BP 22 criminal liability when dishonored.
Civil vs Criminal Liability: Independent Actions in Philippine Law
Explaining how civil and criminal liability operate independently in Philippine law, using a disbarment case as an example.
Grave Coercion vs. Illegal Detention: How Intent Shapes Philippine Criminal Liability
Philippine law distinguishes grave coercion from illegal detention by the accused's intent. Learn how the Supreme Court applies this test.
Rape and Unconsciousness: Understanding Consent and Criminal Liability in the Philippines
Philippine law on rape and unconsciousness: when consent is impossible and how courts treat statutory rape and sexual assault cases.
Bouncing Checks in Business Partnerships: Avoiding Criminal Liability Under Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling explains when a bouncing check in a partnership dissolution is not a crime under the Bouncing Checks Law.
When Self-Defense Fails: Treachery and Criminal Liability in Philippine Law
A look at People v. Ebrada, where the Supreme Court rejected self-defense and upheld treachery in a fatal stabbing.
Re-Election and Criminal Liability: Why Public Officials Can Still Face Suspension for Past Misdeeds
Re-election does not erase criminal liability. The Supreme Court clarifies preventive suspension still applies to public officials for prior-term offenses.
When Can Self Defense Claims Be Denied Understanding Criminal Liability in the Philippines
Explore when Philippine courts deny self-defense claims, using People v. Molas to illustrate how weak defenses fail against strong prosecution evidence.
Superior Strength in Murder: How Conspiracy Establishes Criminal Liability
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how conspiracy and superior strength qualify a killing as murder, with practical legal takeaways.
Treachery in Philippine Law: Understanding Intent and Its Impact on Criminal Liability
Explore how Philippine courts weigh intent, treachery, and confessions in robbery with homicide cases, as shown in People v. Jerez.
Conspiracy and Criminal Liability: Understanding Complex Crimes in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies conspiracy, treachery, and evident premeditation in murder cases, emphasizing proof beyond reasonable doubt for aggravating circumstances.
Conspiracy and Criminal Liability: Understanding Intent and Participation in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when circumstantial evidence proves conspiracy and guilt beyond reasonable doubt in criminal cases.
Liability for Dishonored Checks: When Civil Damages Can Be Recovered
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a party can recover civil damages from a check issuer even if criminal liability under B.P. 22 is not established.
Consent and Rape: When Mental Retardation Negates Valid Consent
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on rape of a mental retardate and why apparent consent does not negate criminal liability.
Attempted Kidnapping: When Does Intent Fall Short of Completion
Philippine law distinguishes attempted from frustrated kidnapping. This article explains the legal tests courts use to determine criminal liability.
Unintended Consequences: Criminal Liability for Foreseeable Outcomes in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on criminal liability, dying declarations, and witness credibility in murder cases under Philippine law.
Self-Defense vs. Treachery: Understanding Criminal Liability in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when self-defense fails against treachery, and how conspiracy and surrender affect criminal liability in murder cases.
Conspiracy AND Treachery Understanding Criminal Liability IN THE Philippines
Behest Loans and Criminal Liability: When a Bank Officer's Recommendation Is Not a Crime
Supreme Court clarifies that a PNB officer's flawed loan recommendation is not automatically a crime under the Anti-Graft law absent authority to bind the bank.
Civil Liability After Death of Accused: Quasi-Delicts in Philippine Law
When an accused dies before final judgment, criminal liability ends. But civil liability may survive through quasi-delicts. Learn the rules.
When Silence Becomes Conspiracy: Understanding Criminal Liability in Estafa Cases
Explore when silence or inaction can be treated as conspiracy in estafa, using the landmark Rosa Lim case as a guide.
Bouncing Checks Law: Corporate Officers Personally Liable for Signed Checks
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on BP 22: corporate officers who sign bouncing checks face personal criminal liability, even if signed in blank.
Conspiracy and Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Understanding Group Liability
Learn how Philippine courts apply conspiracy and treachery when multiple persons attack a victim, and what this means for criminal liability.