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.
Habeas Corpus A Limited Remedy FOR Violations OF Speedy Trial Rights IN THE Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that habeas corpus is not the proper remedy to enforce speedy trial rights, explaining available legal options.
Libel Venue: Where Does the Case Belong Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies libel venue rules under Article 360, RPC—where to file cases and why allegations matter.
Shareholder Derivative Suits and Private Prosecutor Intervention in Falsification Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when a shareholder suit is truly derivative and when private prosecutors may intervene in criminal falsification cases.
Estafa vs. Breach of Contract: When a Failed Deal Is Not a Crime
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when failure to deliver goods after advance payment is civil breach, not criminal estafa.
Estafa Conviction Upheld for Deceit in Mobilization Fund Scheme
Supreme Court affirms estafa conviction for contractor who misrepresented ability to mobilize equipment and misappropriated P600,000 mobilization fund.
Conspiracy vs Mere Presence: When Bystanders Escape Murder Liability
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that mere presence at a crime scene does not prove conspiracy in murder cases, acquitting three accused.
B.P. 22 Conviction Requires Proof of Written Notice of Dishonor: The Sia Case
Conviction under the Bouncing Checks Law requires proof the accused received written notice of dishonor. The Sia case explains why.
Accidental Shooting Intent and Liability in Firearm Mishaps Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on robbery with homicide clarifies criminal liability when killings occur during heists, even if accidental.
Incestuous Rape Revisiting Penalties and the Application of Aggravating Circumstances
The Supreme Court clarifies penalties for incestuous rape, emphasizing proof of minority and the mandatory award of civil indemnity.
Sufficiency of Information: The Critical Element of Manifest Partiality, Bad Faith, or Gross Negligence in Gra
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled that an information under Section 3(e) of RA 3019 must allege manifest partiality, bad faith, or gross negligence.
Incestuous Rape: Moral Ascendancy as Substitute for Force and Intimidation
In incestuous rape, a father's moral ascendancy over his daughter can substitute for force and intimidation, the Supreme Court ruled in People v. Madera.
Parental Authority vs Child's Rights: Rape by a Father and the Limits of Criminal Allegations
Father convicted of raping his 14-year-old daughter twice; Supreme Court affirms guilt but reduces death penalty to reclusion perpetua for procedural defects in the information.
The Limits of Parental Authority: Rape and Incest in the Philippines
A father's rape conviction was reduced from death to reclusion perpetua because the prosecution failed to prove the victim's age beyond reasonable doubt.
Incestuous Rape: Proving Minority Beyond Reasonable Doubt for Capital Punishment
The Supreme Court clarifies that a rape victim's minority must be proven beyond reasonable doubt before the death penalty can be imposed.
Judicial Authority and Preliminary Investigations: Balancing Power and Procedure
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that municipal trial court judges may conduct preliminary investigations, and errors in judgment alone do not warrant administrative liability.
Treachery vs. Evident Premeditation: Distinguishing Murder and Rape in Philippine Law
Learn how the Supreme Court distinguished treachery from evident premeditation in murder, and why charging documents matter in rape cases.
Proving Smuggling Without the Seized Goods: Witness Testimony as Corpus Delicti
The Supreme Court rules that smuggling can be proven by credible witness testimony alone, even without presenting the seized contraband in court.
The Weight of Fear: Evaluating Delay in Rape Cases Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on rape convictions, victim credibility, and why delay in reporting does not weaken a case.
The Right to Confrontation: Why Live Testimony Matters in Philippine Criminal Trials
The Supreme Court vacated a rape conviction because prosecutors used transcripts from another trial instead of presenting live witnesses, violating the accused's right to confrontation.
Right to Information: Accused Cannot Be Convicted of a Crime Not Clearly Charged
The Supreme Court reinstates a rape case, ruling an information need only state the essential elements, not every detail.
When Proof of Age Fails: Simple Rape Instead of Death in People v. Ochea
The Supreme Court reduced a death sentence to reclusion perpetua because prosecutors failed to prove the victim's minority in a rape case.
Conspiracy and Consent: Examining the Elements of Rape in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies rape elements, consent, and qualifying circumstances in a father's conviction for raping his 10-year-old daughter.
Supreme Court Upholds Murder Conviction Despite Fugitive Status
The High Court affirms a murder conviction even as the accused remains at large, ruling on treachery, alibi, and the retroactive application of procedural rules.
Admission vs Confession: Key Distinctions in Philippine Criminal Evidence
Learn the legal difference between an admission and a confession in Philippine criminal cases, and why it matters for evidence and conviction.