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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Treachery in Criminal Law: When an Unsuspecting Victim Becomes the Target
The Supreme Court explains how treachery qualifies a killing as murder, using a billiards dispute that ended in a fatal stabbing.
Conspiracy and Witness Credibility in Murder Cases: Lessons from People v. Tan
How Philippine courts weigh witness credibility and establish conspiracy in murder cases, explained through a 2007 Supreme Court ruling.
Robbery With Homicide: When Intent to Rob and Resulting Death Define the Crime
The Supreme Court clarifies the elements of robbery with homicide, why attempted murder is absorbed, and the penalties imposed.
Intent vs Action: Differentiating Attempted From Frustrated Murder in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a stabbing is attempted, not frustrated, murder—and why the subjective phase matters.
Eyewitness Identification AND Conspiracy IN Murder Cases Establishing Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
Treachery and the Element of Surprise: Establishing Murder and Frustrated Murder in Philippine Law
How sudden, unexpected attacks establish treachery, qualifying killings as murder and frustrated murder under Philippine law.
Treachery and Witness Credibility in Philippine Murder Convictions
How credible eyewitness testimony and treachery shape murder convictions in the Philippines, with lessons from People v. Dulanas.
Eyewitness Testimony and Treachery in Murder Convictions: People v. Buban
The Supreme Court affirms a murder conviction based on eyewitness testimony, explaining treachery, alibi, and damages under Philippine law.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails When Circumstantial Evidence Falls Short in Murder Cases
The Supreme Court acquits a police officer of murder, ruling that circumstantial evidence and unalleged conspiracy cannot overcome reasonable doubt.
Intent to Kill: Understanding the Nuances of Murder in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains how intent to kill and treachery are established in murder cases, using a fatal explosive bottle attack as the example.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Sudden Attacks and Defenseless Victims
The Supreme Court explains treachery in murder cases—sudden, unexpected attacks on defenseless victims qualify killings as murder, not homicide.
Treachery and Intent: Understanding Murder and Homicide in Philippine Law
A single Supreme Court case clarifies how treachery distinguishes murder from homicide, and what damages families can claim.
Treachery and Eyewitness Testimony: Key Elements in Philippine Murder Convictions
The Supreme Court affirms a murder conviction, explaining how treachery is established and why positive eyewitness identification defeats the defense of alibi.
Self-Defense or Murder? Understanding Justifiable Homicide in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when self-defense is valid and why a killing without treachery is homicide, not murder.
When Self-Defense Fails: Homicide and Accomplice Liability in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling explains when self-defense fails, why a killing becomes homicide not murder, and when relatives become accomplices.
Treachery AND Witness Credibility KEY Elements IN Philippine Murder Convictions
Intent to Kill vs Intent to Rob: Distinguishing Murder From Robbery With Homicide in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a killing is murder, not robbery with homicide, based on the accused's intent.
Self-Defense vs Treachery: When Killing Is Murder in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court explains when self-defense fails and treachery qualifies killing as murder. Learn the legal rules.
Self Defense OR Murder Examining Intent AND Evidence IN Philippine Criminal LAW
Doubt and Acquittal: Assessing Witness Credibility in Attempted Murder Cases
The Supreme Court acquits Gerardo Biong of attempted murder, stressing that credible testimony, not just a credible witness, is required for conviction.
Eyewitness Testimony vs Expert Opinion in Philippine Murder Trials
The Supreme Court explains why eyewitness accounts can outweigh ballistics expert testimony in murder cases, and when courts may disregard expert opinions.
Vehicular Homicide vs. Murder: Intent and the Use of a Motor Vehicle
When does a fatal vehicular incident become murder? The Mallari case shows how intent and the use of a motor vehicle elevate the crime.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails: Acquittal in Attempted Murder Based on Insufficient Circumstantial Evidence
The Supreme Court acquits a school principal of attempted murder, ruling that hearsay and unverified confessions cannot support a conviction based on circumstantial evidence.
Minority as Privileged Mitigating Circumstance in Murder Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that minority is a privileged mitigating circumstance under Article 68, reducing the penalty for murder by one degree.