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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Eyewitness Testimony and Alibi in Murder Cases: Lessons from People v. Orio
How Philippine courts weigh eyewitness identification against alibi and denial, and when treachery or abuse of superior strength qualifies a killing as murder.
Burden of Proof When Inconsistent Testimony and Physical Evidence Lead to Acquittal in Murder Cases
Philippine Supreme Court acquits murder accused where witness testimonies conflicted and physical evidence contradicted the prosecution's theory.
Unraveling Circumstantial Evidence Conviction Despite Lack OF Direct Proof IN Murder Cases
Confessions and Conspiracy: Navigating Rights and Guilt in Philippine Murder Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when waivers of rights are invalid and how conspiracy is proven in murder cases.
Treachery and Criminal Intent: How Philippine Courts Establish Murder Liability
The Supreme Court explains how treachery and intent to kill are proven in murder cases, using the conviction of Maximo Hernandez as an example.
Treachery, Self-Defense, and Witness Credibility in Murder Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a murder conviction, clarifying treachery, abuse of superior strength, and the credibility of an eyewitness who is the victim's son.
Navigating Reasonable Doubt When Conflicting Testimony Leads to Acquittal in Criminal Conspiracy
When a key witness contradicts himself, reasonable doubt arises. The Supreme Court acquits one accused in a murder case, clarifying conspiracy rules.
Vehicular Homicide Establishing Intent IN Motor Vehicle Murder Cases
Orchestrating Death: Conspiracy and Accountability in Murder Cases
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling shows how a hacienda overseer who ordered killings was held liable as a principal under conspiracy doctrine.
Treachery and Witness Credibility: Examining Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Philippine Murder Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when abuse of superior strength qualifies murder, and why credible witnesses outweigh bare denials in Philippine criminal cases.
Circumstantial Evidence and Conspiracy: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Murder Cases
How the Supreme Court upheld a murder conviction based on circumstantial evidence and conspiracy, explaining the rules for proving guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Conspiracy and Individual Liability in the Rodel Quijon Murder Case
A look at how the Supreme Court applied conspiracy rules to hold a non-stabbing participant liable for murder in People v. Tolibas.
Treachery in Criminal Law: Defining Sudden and Unexpected Attacks in Murder Cases
In People v. Cabande, the Supreme Court explains how treachery qualifies a killing as murder and why a sudden attack leaves victims unable to defend themselves.
Self Defense Claim Fails Establishing Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt IN Murder Cases
Examining the Supreme Court's ruling on self-defense claims in murder cases, and the burden of proof required to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
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.
Gunpowder Residue and Witness Credibility: Evaluating Evidence in Philippine Murder Cases
How Philippine courts weigh witness credibility, conspiracy, and treachery in murder convictions, explained through a 2000 Supreme Court ruling.
Eyewitness Identification Prevails Over Alibi in Philippine Murder Convictions
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on eyewitness identification versus alibi in murder cases, explaining standards for credibility and positive identification.
Dying Declarations and Extrajudicial Confessions in Philippine Murder Cases
The Supreme Court explains when dying declarations are admissible and when extrajudicial confessions are not in murder prosecutions.
Accomplice vs Principal in Murder Cases: Key Distinctions Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a person is a principal rather than an accomplice in murder, and how complex crimes apply to multiple shootings.
When Silence Isnt Enough Understanding Conspiracy AND Liability IN Murder Cases
When is a bystander guilty of murder? The Supreme Court explains conspiracy and liability in People v. Orbita.
Conspiracy in Philippine Murder Cases When Actions Speak Louder Than Words
A look at the 1999 Supreme Court ruling in People v. More, which clarifies how conspiracy and self-defense are weighed in murder cases.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails: Why Witness Credibility Is Key in Philippine Murder Cases
A look at how Philippine courts weigh witness credibility in criminal cases, using the incestuous rape ruling in People v. Sevilla as a guide.
How Eyewitness Credibility Decides Murder Cases in Philippine Courts
A 1999 Supreme Court ruling shows how credible eyewitness testimony outweighs alibi and denial in Philippine murder convictions.
Eyewitness Testimony vs Alibi: How Philippine Courts Decide Murder Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on eyewitness identification versus alibi in murder cases, explaining why credible witnesses prevail over alibi defenses.