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.
Illegal Possession of Firearms: Essential Elements and Double Jeopardy Explained
Understand the essential elements of illegal possession of firearms under PD 1866, as amended by RA 8294, and when double jeopardy applies.
Circumstantial Evidence and Robbery With Homicide: Establishing Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
How the Supreme Court upheld a robbery-with-homicide conviction based on circumstantial evidence, flight, and denial in People v. Corre Jr.
When Rape Charges Are Not Qualified: The Importance of Specific Allegations in the Information
A Supreme Court ruling shows why qualifying circumstances in rape must be specifically alleged in the information to warrant the death penalty.
Parental Incest Establishing Minority of the Victim Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Rape Cases
How Philippine courts prove a rape victim's minority for the death penalty, using parental incest as the key example.
Mistaken Identity and Intoxication as Mitigating Factors in Murder Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on mistaken identity and intoxication as mitigating circumstances in murder, reducing death penalty to reclusion perpetua.
When an Unlicensed Firearm Used in Robbery With Homicide Is Not a Separate Crime
The Supreme Court explains when the use of an unlicensed firearm in a killing is merely an aggravating circumstance, not a separate offense.
Date Discrepancies and Fair Notice in Rape Cases: Protecting the Accused's Rights
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how vague dates in rape informations violate the accused's constitutional right to fair notice and defense.
Bouncing Checks Law: The 90-Day Rule and Proof of Knowledge Under BP 22
Presenting a check after 90 days does not bar prosecution under BP 22—knowledge of insufficient funds can still be proven by other evidence.
Distinguishing Complex Crimes From Multiple Offenses: The Importance of Individual Acts in Criminal Liability
When several distinct acts cause multiple deaths, separate crimes arise, not a complex crime. The Supreme Court clarifies in People v. Latupan.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: The Element of Surprise in Murder Convictions
Understand how treachery qualifies killing as murder under Philippine law, explained through a Supreme Court ruling on a 1993 shooting.
Rape Conviction Overturned: The Critical Need for Explicitly Stating Aggravating Circumstances in Criminal Inf
Why the Supreme Court reduced a death sentence to reclusion perpetua when aggravating circumstances weren't alleged in the Information.
Witness Credibility and the Perils of Delayed Justice: Analyzing Testimonial Inconsistencies in Murder Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on witness credibility, police blotter discrepancies, and why aggravating circumstances must be alleged in the information to justify the death penalty.
Ombudsman's Power to Prosecute Public Officials in All Courts Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies that the Ombudsman can investigate and prosecute public officials in both the Sandiganbayan and regular courts.
Circumstantial Evidence Conviction: Murder Reduced to Homicide in Icalla Case
Supreme Court explains when circumstantial evidence suffices for conviction and why murder was reduced to homicide in People v. Icalla.
Overcoming Alibi and Positive Identification in Philippine Criminal Cases
How the Supreme Court treats alibi versus positive identification, using a rape case where a stepfather's defense failed.
Rape Conviction Requires Proof of Specific Dates Alleged in Information
Supreme Court ruling on proving specific dates in rape and acts of lasciviousness cases under Philippine law.
Delayed Reporting and Sleep as Defense: When Rape Becomes Acts of Lasciviousness
A father's conviction for rape was reduced to acts of lasciviousness because the victim slept through the alleged assault. Explore the ruling.
Unlicensed Firearm Use: From Separate Offense to Aggravating Circumstance in Homicide Cases
Philippine Supreme Court explains how R.A. 8294 changed unlicensed firearm use from a separate crime to an aggravating circumstance in homicide.
Service of Resolutions When DOJ Rules Prevail Over the Rules of Court
When do DOJ rules on service of resolutions override the Rules of Court? The Supreme Court clarifies in Tam Wing Tak v. Makasiar.
The Weight of Witness Testimony: Understanding Credibility in Philippine Rape Cases
How Philippine courts weigh a rape victim's testimony, and why proving the victim's age matters for the death penalty.
Murder or Homicide: Understanding Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law from People v. Templo
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a sudden attack amounts to treachery—and when it is only homicide, not murder.
Pleading Pitfalls: How Incorrect Wording in Rape Informations Can Impact Penalties in the Philippines
Learn how defective wording in rape informations can affect penalties, based on Philippine Supreme Court rulings on criminal procedure.
Contradictory Testimony and Witness Credibility in Philippine Criminal Cases
How inconsistent witness testimony can create reasonable doubt and lead to acquittal in Philippine criminal cases, as shown in People vs. Hernani.
Reasonable Doubt in Philippine Rape Cases: People v. Desamparado Explained
How the Supreme Court acquitted a rape accused despite medical evidence, and what this means for Philippine criminal justice.