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.
Positive Identification Over Alibi: When Witness Testimony Prevails in Murder Cases
The Supreme Court explains why positive identification by eyewitnesses outweighs alibi and denial in murder cases, affirming a conviction for treachery.
Parental Authority VS Statutory Rape Allegation OF Minority Must BE Explicit FOR Qualified Rape Conviction
SC rules minority must be alleged in information for qualified rape; Laciste convicted of simple rape, not death penalty.
Credibility of Rape Victim's Testimony: Supreme Court on Conflicting Evidence and Behavioral Expectations
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, explaining why a victim's testimony prevails over alibi and why resistance is not always required.
Lone Witness Credibility: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Philippine Criminal Law
How Philippine courts assess a lone witness's credibility in criminal cases, and why positive identification defeats alibi.
Proving Victim’s Age in Rape Cases: When Death Penalty Fails
In People v. Virrey, the Supreme Court ruled that minority must be proven beyond reasonable doubt before the death penalty can be imposed in rape cases.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Supreme Court Upholds Statutory Rape Conviction Despite Reporting Delay
The Supreme Court affirms a statutory rape conviction, ruling that a victim's delay in reporting the crime does not automatically undermine her credibility.
Positive Identification Prevails Over Alibi in Philippine Rape Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on rape cases: positive identification by victims outweighs denial and alibi defenses.
Simulated Sales in Philippine Law: Why Fictitious Contracts Are Void
A simulated deed of sale has no legal effect, and the resulting title must be cancelled. The Supreme Court explains why in pari delicto does not apply to fictitious contracts.
Dismissal for Judicial Misconduct: Impartiality and Diligence in Granting Hospital Confinement
A judge's dismissal for granting hospital confinement without hearing shows why diligence and impartiality are non-negotiable in every judicial act.
Rape Conviction Affirmed Credibility of Witnesses and Impact of Minor Inconsistencies
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, holding that minor inconsistencies in witness testimony do not undermine credibility.
When Eyewitness Testimony Outweighs Alibi in Philippine Homicide Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why positive eyewitness identification prevails over alibi and denial in homicide prosecutions.
Rape and Credibility: Evaluating Testimony in the Face of Physical Disability
Physical disability alone does not negate rape liability. The Supreme Court affirms conviction, explaining how credibility, not disability, decides rape cases.
Upholding Workplace Conduct: Carrying Firearms in the Hall of Justice and Employee Rights
The Supreme Court rules on a court employee carrying a firearm in the Hall of Justice, finding misconduct and oppression while protecting employee rights.
From Murder to Homicide: Proving Treachery and Intent in Criminal Cases
When qualifying circumstances like treachery aren't proven beyond reasonable doubt, a murder charge may be reduced to homicide.
Supreme Court Affirms Murder Conviction Despite Defense Claims of Self-Defense
SC affirms murder conviction of three men who mauled victim to death, rejecting self-defense claims and upholding reclusion perpetua.
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.
Vindication and Unlicensed Firearms: When Personal Offense Mitigates Murder
The Supreme Court clarifies how a grave personal offense can mitigate murder and how unlicensed firearms affect sentencing.
Separation of Powers: Supreme Court's Exclusive Authority Over Judicial Misconduct
The Supreme Court asserts exclusive administrative supervision over judges, directing the Ombudsman to defer and refer cases involving judicial misconduct.
Customs Duty Refunds: Navigating Administrative Remedies and Prescriptive Periods
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on customs duty refund claims, administrative remedies, and prescriptive periods for taxpayers.
The Power of a Child's Testimony in Sustaining Rape Convictions Based on Credible Accounts
How a seven-year-old's clear and consistent testimony can sustain a rape conviction, even without a broken hymen.
Custodial Rape: Consent and Trust Betrayed in Step-Grandfather's Conviction
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction of step-grandfather, ruling that a child victim's credible testimony suffices even without a ruptured hymen.
Rape Conviction Upheld: The Duty to Protect Children From Abuse Within the Family
The Supreme Court affirms the death penalty for a stepfather who raped his 9-year-old stepdaughter, underscoring the duty to protect children from abuse within the family.
Breach of Trust Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Lack of Witnesses
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on credible victim testimony, even without eyewitnesses or medical examination.
Positive Identification Over Alibi: The Weight of Eyewitness Testimony in Murder Convictions
How the Supreme Court upheld a murder conviction based on eyewitness identification, rejecting the defenses of alibi and alleged due process violations.