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 Affirmed: Force and Intimidation Defined in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies force and intimidation in rape cases, affirming a conviction and increasing damages awarded to the victim.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Force, Intimidation, and Moral Ascendancy in Sexual Abuse Cases
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, explaining how force, intimidation, and moral ascendancy establish guilt in sexual abuse cases.
Death of Accused Before Final Conviction Extinguishes Criminal Liability
Philippine Supreme Court explains how an accused's death before final judgment extinguishes criminal and civil liability ex delicto under Article 89 of the RPC.
Robbery With Homicide Positive Identification Over Alibi
Supreme Court rules positive identification prevails over alibi in robbery with homicide, affirming conviction based on credible eyewitness testimony.
Positive Identification Over Alibi Upholds Conviction In Murder Case
The Supreme Court affirms a murder conviction, ruling that positive identification by eyewitnesses outweighs the weak defense of alibi and denial.
When a Father's Denial Fails: Qualified Rape and Damages in People v. Mendoza
Supreme Court affirms qualified rape conviction of a father, clarifies force need not be proven in incestuous rape, and increases damages.
Dying Declarations as Evidence: When a Wife's Statement Leads to a Parricide Conviction
The Supreme Court explains when a dying declaration is admissible evidence and how it can support a parricide conviction.
Corporate Liability Accountability FOR Unremitted SSS Contributions
Supreme Court affirms conviction of corporate officer for non-remittance of SSS contributions under RA 8282.
Conspiracy and the Element of Force in Rape and Homicide Cases in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies conspiracy, force, and proper charges in rape and homicide, modifying a conviction from simple to qualified rape.
Conspiracy and Qualified Rape: Revisiting Liability in Group Crimes
The Supreme Court clarifies when conspiracy upgrades rape to qualified rape and why an appellate court over-counted convictions.
Diminished Conviction When Group Attacks Dont Automatically Mean Abuse OF Superior Strength
Drug Den Conviction Requires Proof of Knowledge, Not Just Positive Drug Test
Supreme Court clarifies that positive drug test results alone do not prove a person knowingly visited a drug den under RA 9165.
Estafa Conviction: Why Factual Allegations Matter More Than the Technical Charge
The Supreme Court clarifies that in estafa cases, the facts alleged in the Information—not the legal provision cited—determine the crime charged.
Breach of Trust Rape by a Relative and the Upholding of Victim Testimony
The Supreme Court affirms the conviction of an uncle for qualified rape, explaining why a victim's credible testimony and fear can overcome defenses of alibi and denial.
Punctuality and Honesty: Upholding Integrity in the Philippine Judiciary
A murder conviction upheld on eyewitness testimony, clarifying treachery, conspiracy, and damages in Philippine criminal law.
When Silence Isn't Golden: The Perils of Unchallenged Eyewitness Testimony in Murder Convictions
A Supreme Court ruling shows how unchallenged eyewitness testimony can seal a murder conviction, and why defense lawyers must test it.
Witness Credibility and Treachery: Key Lessons from a Philippine Murder Conviction
The Supreme Court affirms a murder conviction, explaining how witness credibility and treachery are assessed in Philippine criminal law.
Protecting Children: Defining Cruelty Under R.A. 7610
The Supreme Court clarifies what constitutes child cruelty under R.A. 7610, affirming a guardian's conviction for burning a 9-year-old.
Moral Ascendancy in Incestuous Rape: Upholding Protection for Child Victims
The Supreme Court affirms the conviction of a father for qualified rape, explaining how parental moral ascendancy substitutes for force and intimidation.
Eyewitness Testimony and Treachery: Conviction for Murder Upheld by Supreme Court
A look at how positive eyewitness identification and treachery established guilt beyond reasonable doubt in a murder case.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: When Substantial Compliance Is Enough for Conviction
The Supreme Court explains when substantial compliance with Section 21, RA 9165 chain of custody rules still supports a drug conviction.
Right to Counsel in Criminal Cases: When a Fake Lawyer Means Denial of Due Process
The Supreme Court ruled that conviction is void when an accused is represented by a non-lawyer, as it violates the constitutional right to counsel.
When a Fake Lawyer Represented the Accused: Due Process and the Right to Counsel
The Supreme Court voids a conviction where the accused was represented by a non-lawyer, reaffirming the absolute right to counsel.
When a "Lawyer" Is Not a Lawyer: Due Process and the Right to Counsel in Criminal Cases
The Supreme Court voids a conviction where the accused was represented by a fake lawyer, stressing the absolute right to counsel.