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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Equitable Mortgage VS Absolute Sale Determining True Intent IN Property Transactions
Kidnapping for Ransom: Intent and Deprivation of Liberty Explained
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies what proves intent and deprivation of liberty in kidnapping-for-ransom cases involving minors.
Consent and Carnapping: When Initial Permission Negates Criminal Intent
The Supreme Court explains when initial consent to take a car negates unlawful taking, the core element of carnapping.
Homicide vs Murder in the Philippines: Intent, Treachery, and the Burden of Proof
The Supreme Court explains when a killing is homicide, not murder, and why treachery and self-defense must be proven, not presumed.
Simulated Sales in Philippine Property Law: Intent, Foreign Ownership, and the Blanco v. Quasha Precedent
Learn how Philippine courts determine simulated sales, why intent matters, and the key lessons from Blanco v. Quasha on property transactions.
Homicide vs Murder: Understanding Intent and Qualifying Circumstances in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how intent and qualifying circumstances distinguish homicide from murder, and explains cyber libel prescription rules.
Unmasking Conspiracy in Kidnapping: How Shared Intent Leads to Shared Guilt Under Philippine Law
Explaining conspiracy in kidnapping through People v. Sala—how overt acts before, during, and after a crime prove shared guilt.
Residency Requirement for Philippine Candidates: The Domino Doctrine on Domicile
Philippine election law equates residency with domicile. The Domino case shows why voter registration and genuine intent matter for candidates.
Intent Is Key: Understanding Kidnapping Laws in the Philippines and Deprivation of Liberty
Learn how Philippine courts determine intent in kidnapping cases, based on a Supreme Court ruling on a child abduction case.
Homicide vs Murder in the Philippines: Intent and Mitigating Circumstances Explained
Learn how Philippine courts distinguish homicide from murder, and when mitigating circumstances like passion, intoxication, or surrender may apply.
Holdover Principle Criminal Intent Key Lessons From Lecaroz v Sandiganbayan for Public Officials
The Supreme Court explains holdover doctrine and criminal intent in Lecaroz v Sandiganbayan, a landmark case for Philippine public officials.
Homicide vs Murder: Understanding the Nuances of Intent in Philippine Criminal Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when a killing is homicide, not murder, and why qualifying circumstances must be proven beyond doubt.
When Accident Doesnt Excuse Murder Understanding Parricide AND Intent IN Philippine LAW
A police officer shoots his wife, claims accident, but the Supreme Court affirms parricide. Learn how intent and evidence work in Philippine criminal law.
Murder vs Homicide: Why Proving Intent Matters in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains when a killing is murder and when it is only homicide, and why the prosecution must prove intent.
Decoding Stray Votes: How Philippine Courts Uphold Voter Intent in Elections
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on stray votes, nuisance candidates, and the primacy of voter intent in election canvassing.
Accidental Shooting or Intentional Killing: Parricide and the Defense of Accident in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when the defense of accident fails in parricide cases, explaining intent, negligence, and unlawful acts.
Grave Coercion vs. Illegal Detention: How Intent Shapes Philippine Criminal Liability
Philippine law distinguishes grave coercion from illegal detention by the accused's intent. Learn how the Supreme Court applies this test.
Intent Is Key: Distinguishing Robbery With Homicide From Separate Crimes in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that robbery with homicide requires proof of intent to rob before the killing, not merely taking property afterward.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Understanding Intent and Defenseless Victims
The Supreme Court explains treachery, conspiracy, and self-defense in a murder case involving three brothers who shot an unarmed victim.
When IS Self Defense Valid IN THE Philippines Analyzing Intent AND Proportionality
Understand self-defense in Philippine law: when it applies, the requirements of unlawful aggression, and how courts weigh intent and proportionality.
Robbery With Homicide Establishing Intent AND Liability IN Philippine LAW
Explains the Supreme Court ruling on probable cause for falsification of public documents and illegal use of alias under Philippine law.
Conspiracy in Philippine Criminal Law: Establishing Shared Intent in Illegal Recruitment Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies how conspiracy works in large-scale illegal recruitment, holding co-conspirators liable even without receiving money.
Philippine Election Law: Voter Intent Prevails Over Technical Ballot Defects
Supreme Court ruling clarifies that minor ballot irregularities, like missing BEI signatures, do not invalidate votes.
Homicide vs Murder in the Philippines: Distinguishing Intent and Treachery in Criminal Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when a killing is homicide, not murder, and why treachery must be proven conclusively.