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.
Robbery vs. Highway Robbery in the Philippines: Key Distinctions Explained
Philippine law distinguishes simple robbery from highway robbery under P.D. 532. Learn how the Supreme Court clarified this crucial difference.
Motion to Quash Denied: Navigating Criminal Procedure and Your Rights in the Philippines
Learn when a motion to quash can be denied, the limits of certiorari, and your rights in Philippine criminal procedure.
Ignorance Is No Defense: Death Penalty and Drug Importation in the Philippines
The Supreme Court affirms the death penalty for a woman caught importing shabu, ruling that ignorance of the drugs' presence is not a valid defense.
Philippine Drug Case Conspiracy When Presence Equals Guilt
Supreme Court explains how mere presence at a drug sale can prove conspiracy and lead to conviction as a principal.
Credibility of Child Rape Victims: Why Trial Court Observations Matter in Philippine Rape Cases
The Supreme Court affirms that a rape victim's credible testimony alone can sustain a conviction, and explains conspiracy in robbery with rape.
Treachery in Criminal Law: Understanding Sudden Attack in Philippine Murder Cases
The Supreme Court explains treachery in murder cases through a sudden stabbing attack, clarifying the elements and legal consequences.
Alibi vs Victim Testimony in Philippine Rape Cases: Supreme Court on Burden of Proof
The Supreme Court explains why alibi fails against positive victim testimony in rape cases, citing People v. Sumampong.
Unraveling Conspiracy in Philippine Criminal Law: The Gungon Case and Its Implications
The Gungon case clarifies how Philippine courts prove conspiracy through circumstantial evidence and how complex crimes are penalized.
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.
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.
Admissibility of Confessions in Philippine Criminal Law: A Case Analysis
Learn how Philippine courts assess eyewitness credibility, delay in reporting crimes, and damages in murder cases through this case analysis.
When Can an Employee Be Dismissed for Loss of Trust and Confidence: A Philippine Guide
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the high standard for dismissing employees on grounds of loss of trust and confidence.
Homicide vs Murder: Key Differences Under Philippine Law
Understand the legal distinction between homicide and murder in the Philippines, explained through a Supreme Court ruling on treachery and evident premeditation.
Defining Piracy Under Philippine Law: Protecting Vessels and Ensuring Maritime Security
The Supreme Court clarifies what constitutes piracy under PD 532, ruling that seizing a fishing boat by force is piracy, not mere grave coercion.
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.
Criminal Conspiracy and Exempting Circumstances: Duress and Mental Capacity in Philippine Law
A look at how the Supreme Court defined conspiracy, duress, and imbecility defenses in a kidnapping and homicide case.
Rape Conviction and Conspiracy: Why Credible Testimony Matters in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms rape convictions based on credible victim testimony and conspiracy, explaining key evidentiary rules in Philippine criminal law.
Withdrawing A Guilty Plea: Navigating the Consequences in Philippine Criminal Law
Learn when a guilty plea can be withdrawn in Philippine courts, its mitigating effects, and how aggravating circumstances must still be proven.
Discharge of an Accomplice as a State Witness: Safeguarding Justice in Philippine Courts
The Supreme Court affirms that trial courts' factual findings and witness credibility assessments are conclusive unless arbitrary, in a murder conviction.
Accomplice Liability in Robbery: The Limits of Conspiracy in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when a getaway driver and lookout are accomplices, not conspirators, in robbery cases.
Accomplice Liability: How Participation Level Determines Criminal Responsibility
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a participant in a crime is an accomplice, not a principal, and how courts determine the proper penalty.
The Perils of Delayed Disclosure: Eyewitness Testimony and Credibility in Philippine Criminal Law
How Philippine courts weigh eyewitness identification, voice recognition, and alibi in criminal cases, explained through a 1997 Supreme Court ruling.
Shared Guilt Establishing Conspiracy in Robbery With Homicide Under Philippine Law
When does a getaway accomplice become liable for murder? Philippine law on conspiracy in robbery with homicide explained through a Supreme Court ruling.
Amending Criminal Informations: When a Homicide Charge Can Be Upgraded to Murder
The Supreme Court explains when prosecutors may amend an information to upgrade homicide to murder after the accused has already pleaded not guilty.