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.
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.
Parental Authority and Child Abuse: Defining the Limits of Incestuous Rape
In incestuous rape cases, the victim's minority and relationship to the offender must be proven beyond reasonable doubt for the death penalty to apply.
Dead Man's Statute: Protecting Estates and Ensuring Fair Trials in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies the Dead Man's Statute's scope, balancing estate protection against fair trial rights in claims against deceased persons.
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.
Rape Conviction Credibility of Testimony and Proof of Minority in Statutory Rape Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a father's death sentence for raping his 10-year-old daughter, clarifying rules on witness credibility and proof of minority.
Rape Conviction and the Burden of Proving the Victim's Age for the Death Penalty
A look at People v. Cantuba on how positive identification overcomes alibi, and why proving the victim's age matters for sentencing.
Rape and the Burden of Proof: Establishing Minority in Statutory Rape Cases
In People v. Tupaz, the Supreme Court ruled that a rape victim's bare testimony of her age is insufficient to prove minority for the death penalty.
Self-Defense and Treachery in Homicide Cases: The Evidentiary Threshold
When self-defense fails, treachery may still qualify a killing as murder. A look at People v. Villegas.
Passion and Obfuscation in Homicide: When Jealousy Mitigates Intent
The Supreme Court explains when a betrayed spouse's passion and obfuscation can reduce murder to homicide in the Philippines.
Passion and Obfuscation: How Jealousy Can Reduce Murder to Homicide in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when passion and obfuscation can downgrade a murder charge to homicide, and how self-defense claims are weighed.
Bouncing Checks and the Breadth of BP 22: Understanding so that its dishonor becomes a crime? The case is a us
The Facts of the Case Miraflor San Pedro and Evelyn Odra were friends and business associates. Odra entrusted San Pedro with Pyrex cooking utensils to sell. Ov
Statutory Rape and Parental Authority: Why the Supreme Court Upheld a Father's Conviction
The Supreme Court affirms a father's rape conviction, explaining how parental moral ascendancy substitutes for force and why proof of age matters for the death penalty.
Incestuous Rape: Proving the Victim's Age and the Limits of Amending the Information
A father's rape conviction was reduced from death to reclusion perpetua because the prosecution failed to prove the victim's minority with competent evidence.
Treachery in Criminal Law: The Element of Surprise and Defenseless Victims
Understand treachery in Philippine criminal law through People v. Zeta, where the Supreme Court explains why surprise at the inception of attack matters.
Voluntary Surrender as a Mitigating Circumstance: When Murder Is Reduced to Homicide
The Supreme Court explains when voluntary surrender mitigates a killing and why a heated argument negates treachery, reducing murder to homicide.
Cultivation Counts Upholding Land Rights in Agrarian Disputes
The Supreme Court ruled that personal cultivation is essential to establish agricultural leasehold rights, affirming that mere possession or documents do not suffice.
Authenticating Evidence When Hearsay Testimony Undermines Insurance Claims
A Supreme Court ruling on hearsay and unauthenticated documents in a default judgment, and its impact on insurance claims.
The Binding Force of a Signed Affidavit of Full Payment and the Absence of Fraud in Subcontracting Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on the binding effect of a signed affidavit of full payment and the absence of fraud in subcontracting agreements.
Statutory Rape: Why Proving Familial Relationship Matters in Aggravated Cases
A Supreme Court ruling shows that in statutory rape, the qualifying circumstance of relationship must be proven beyond reasonable doubt, not merely alleged.
Eyewitness Testimony and Criminal Conviction: Credibility Rules in Philippine Courts
How Philippine courts weigh eyewitness testimony in criminal cases, explained through the 2002 Jakosalem murder decision.
Amendment of Information: Balancing Procedural Rules and the Accused's Right to Due Process
When can the prosecution amend an Information after the accused pleads? The Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between formal and substantial amendments.
Amendment of Information After Plea: Balancing Procedural Rules and the Accused's Rights
When may a court allow amendment of an Information after the accused pleads? The Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between formal and substantial amendments.
Written Authority is Key: Upholding Property Rights in Corporate Transactions
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies why written consent matters in property deals involving mortgaged assets—and what parties must prove to claim possession.
Rape and Incest: Protecting Minors in Familial Abuse Cases
A father convicted of raping his 15-year-old daughter twice; the Supreme Court affirms conviction but reduces death penalty to reclusion perpetua.