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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Rape Conviction and the Death Penalty: When Relationship Must Be Alleged in the Information
The Supreme Court affirms a death sentence for rape, explaining when the qualifying circumstance of relationship must be alleged and proven.
Breach of Trust Convicting Stepfathers in Rape Cases Despite Sweetheart Defenses
How Philippine courts reject the "sweetheart theory" in stepfather rape cases, uphold child victim credibility, and apply the death penalty.
Robbery With Homicide: How Multiple Killings Affect Sentencing in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether multiple killings in robbery with homicide warrant death penalty or reclusion perpetua.
Incestuous Rape: Proving Guilt and Ensuring Fair Sentencing in the Philippines
A father's rape conviction affirmed but death penalty reduced—explaining the rules on victim credibility, force, and proving minority.
Moral Ascendancy in Rape Cases When Familial Trust Becomes a Weapon
How Philippine courts treat incestuous rape, moral ascendancy, and why the death penalty was reduced to reclusion perpetua.
Rape and Parental Authority: When Stepfathers Exploit Familial Trust
The Supreme Court affirms that a father's moral ascendancy over his minor daughter makes rape a betrayal of trust, but requires qualifying circumstances to be alleged for the death penalty.
Due Process in Rape Cases: Why Alleging Qualifying Circumstances Matters for Death Penalty
The Supreme Court explains why the death penalty in rape cases requires the qualifying circumstances to be alleged in the information, not just proved at trial.
Rape and the Requisite Allegations: Protecting Due Process in Criminal Prosecutions
The Supreme Court clarifies that special qualifying circumstances like relationship must be alleged in the information to justify the death penalty for rape.
Rape and Parental Relations: Clarifying Special Qualifying Circumstances in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when rape qualifies for the death penalty and why allegations of relationship must appear in the information.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Upholding the Death Penalty in Child Rape Cases
The Supreme Court affirms the death penalty for the rape of a six-year-old, detailing the rules on victim credibility and evidence.
Rape and Consent: Examining the Boundaries of Force and Intimidation in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that rape is defined by lack of consent, not by the timing of physical force. A knife held during the act proves intimidation, and the death penalty was reduced to reclusio
Protecting Children: Understanding Qualified Rape and Parental Liability in the Philippines
The Supreme Court affirms the death penalty for a father who raped his daughter, clarifying qualified rape and accomplice liability.
Police Abuse of Power: Understanding Robbery by Intimidation in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when police officers commit robbery by intimidation and how abuse of public position affects the penalty.
Safeguarding Due Process: Understanding Indirect Contempt in Philippine Courts
The Supreme Court reminds the IBP that formal investigation is mandatory in lawyer discipline cases, ensuring due process before any penalty.
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.
Crucial Evidence in Incestuous Rape Cases: Why Proof of Age Determines the Penalty
In incestuous rape, the death penalty requires proof of the victim's age beyond reasonable doubt. Learn from People v. Pecayo.
Rape and Mental Incapacity: Consent, Force, and the Case of People v. Lopez
A niece with mild mental retardation is raped by her uncle. The Court explains consent, force, and why the death penalty failed.
Rape Conviction and Proof of Victim's Age: People v. Mayorga
SC ruling on rape, death penalty, and the need for independent proof of victim's age below seven years.
Sheriff Misconduct When Custody Turns Criminal Understanding A Sheriffs Duty Of Safekeeping IN THE Philippines
When a sheriff sells a levied vehicle instead of keeping it safe, the Supreme Court imposes the ultimate penalty: dismissal from service.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: Penalty Raised for Social Media Use
Supreme Court affirms VAWC conviction for Facebook post, raises penalty for ICT use under Cybercrime Law.
Robbery With Homicide in the Philippines: Treachery, Intoxication, and the Penalty
Understand how Philippine courts treat treachery and intoxication in robbery with homicide cases, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Cando.
Proving Rape: Why Corroborating Testimony and Victim Behavior Matter in Philippine Courts
A child rape victim's candid testimony and medical evidence secured conviction, but the Supreme Court reduced the death penalty because the information failed to allege the qualifying circumstance of
Breach of Trust: Parental Rape and Child Protection Laws in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court affirms death penalty for father who raped his 12-year-old daughter, clarifying parental authority and rape laws.
Proving Age in Philippine Rape Cases: Why Birth Certificates and Independent Evidence Matter
The Supreme Court explains why a rape victim's age must be proven by independent evidence, not just testimony, to justify the death penalty.