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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Robbery With Homicide Liability Extends to All Participants, Even Without Intent to Kill
The Supreme Court clarifies that all robbery participants are liable for robbery with homicide, even if they did not personally kill.
From Murder to Homicide: Understanding the Absence of Treachery in Philippine Law
When treachery is not proven, a killing is homicide, not murder. Learn the rules from a Supreme Court case.
When Self Defense Claims Fall Short: The Burden of Proof in Homicide Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that conspiracy in robbery with homicide requires proof beyond reasonable doubt, but concerted acts establish liability.
Accountability in Armed Robbery: Redefining Liability Through Criminal Conspiracy
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on criminal conspiracy in robbery with homicide, explaining liability for all participants and penalty rules.
Reasonable Doubt Acquittal in Robbery With Homicide Due to Insufficient Circumstantial Evidence
Supreme Court acquits accused in robbery-homicide case, ruling circumstantial evidence failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
When a Fistfight Turns Fatal: Understanding Homicide vs Murder in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains when a killing becomes murder through treachery, and why self-defense claims must prove unlawful aggression.
Self-Defense vs. Unlawful Aggression: When a Killing Is Homicide, Not Murder
The Supreme Court explains when a sudden attack is self-defense, and why failure to prove treachery reduces murder to homicide.
Self Defense Claims AND Treachery Evaluating Justification IN Homicide Cases
Homicide and Reckless Imprudence: Understanding Included Offenses in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when reckless imprudence is a lesser included offense of homicide, and the limits of self-defense claims.
Accountability AND Joint Liability Establishing Conspiracy IN Homicide Cases
Treachery and Evident Premeditation: When Intentional Killings Are Homicide, Not Murder
The Supreme Court clarifies when treachery and evident premeditation qualify a killing as murder, explaining what prosecutors must prove.
Abuse of Superior Strength: When a Deadly Weapon Turns Homicide Into Murder
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how using a gun against an unarmed victim qualifies killing as murder through abuse of superior strength.
Self-Defense in Philippine Law: When Killing a Brother Is Justifiable Homicide
The Supreme Court explains when killing in self-defense is justified under Philippine law, using the Cano brothers' fatal confrontation as a case study.
Res Gestae Exception: Admissibility of Spontaneous Statements in Philippine Homicide Cases
Learn how the Supreme Court applied the res gestae exception to admit a victim's spontaneous statement identifying his assailant in a homicide case.
The Fine Line Between Self-Defense and Homicide: Establishing Intent in Criminal Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a claim of accident or self-defense fails, and how courts determine criminal intent in homicide cases.
Infidelity AND Intent Understanding Homicide IN THE Heat OF Marital Betrayal
From Murder to Homicide: When Qualifying Circumstances Fail in Conspiracy Cases
Supreme Court explains when conspiracy stands but treachery and abuse of superior strength fail, reducing murder to homicide.
Self-Defense in the Philippines: Justifiable Homicide and the Burden of Proof
Explore the requisites of self-defense in Philippine criminal law and how the burden of proof shifts to the accused, as illustrated in a landmark Supreme Court acquittal.
Self-Defense and Homicide: The Boundaries of Justifiable Force in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense fails and why a killing without treachery is homicide, not murder.
When Intent Falters: Attempted Robbery With Homicide vs. Consummated Robbery With Homicide
The Supreme Court clarifies when a robbery that ends in death is only attempted, not consummated, and explains the proper penalty.
Treachery and Witness Testimony Proving Murder Beyond Reasonable Doubt in the Philippines
How Philippine courts weigh eyewitness testimony, physical evidence, and alibi in rape-with-homicide cases, and why conviction requires proof beyond reasonable doubt.
When Defense Turns Deadly Distinguishing Self Defense From Unjustified Aggression IN Homicide Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the line between lawful self-defense and criminal aggression in homicide cases, explaining burden of proof and reasonable belief.
Oral Extrajudicial Confession Alone Cannot Prove Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
Supreme Court acquits accused in robbery with homicide case, ruling an uncorroborated oral extrajudicial confession is insufficient to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Self-Defense Plea Fails When Ambush Claim Is Uncorroborated in Homicide Case
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense fails and how treachery must be proven in homicide cases.