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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Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: How a Broken Link Leads to Acquittal
A broken chain of custody can overturn drug convictions. Learn the strict rules under RA 9165 and what the Cordova ruling means.
Ghost Employees and Graft Liability: The Supreme Court’s Standard in People v. Reales
The Supreme Court clarifies the burden of proof in ghost employee corruption cases, protecting honest public officials from wrongful conviction.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Credible Testimony and Medical Evidence in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, explaining how credible victim testimony and medical evidence establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Child Trafficking Conviction Upheld: What the Supreme Court Ruled in People v. Villaria
The Supreme Court affirms life sentences for eight counts of qualified trafficking in persons, clarifying that a child victim's consent is irrelevant.
Rape Convictions and the Burden of Proving Qualifying Circumstances in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that qualifying circumstances like relationship must be alleged and proven beyond reasonable doubt in rape cases.
When Does Masturbation in Front of a Minor Constitute Child Abuse Under RA 7610
The Supreme Court clarifies the legal boundaries of child abuse under RA 7610, ruling that mere masturbation in front of a minor without proof of severe psychological harm is not enough for conviction
Prolonged Detention and the Rights of the Accused in Philippine Drug Cases
The Supreme Court affirms drug convictions while clarifying warrantless arrest rules, chain of custody, and accused rights under RA 9165.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Force, Consent, and Credibility in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, clarifying force, consent, credibility, and penalties under the Anti-Rape Law.
Understanding Qualified Trafficking in Persons: Insights from a 2023 Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court affirms a conviction for qualified trafficking in persons, explaining the elements of the crime and how courts prove them.
Understanding Rape Conviction in the Philippines: Consent Evidence and the Role of Co-Conspirators
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies rape conviction standards, consent evidence rules, and co-conspirator liability in criminal cases.
Economic Abuse Under RA 9262: Intent Matters in Denial of Financial Support Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that willful intent to cause anguish, not mere financial hardship, is required for economic abuse convictions under RA 9262.
Supreme Court Affirms Convictions for Qualified Trafficking of Minors for Prostitution
The Court upholds life sentences for syndicate trafficking of minors, clarifying consent is no defense under RA 9208.
Combating Human Trafficking: The State's Burden to Prove Trafficking for Prostitution
The Supreme Court clarifies the elements of qualified human trafficking for prostitution, emphasizing that actual sexual intercourse is not required for conviction.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: A Broken Link Leads to Acquittal
When police skip the required on-site inventory without justification, the chain of custody breaks and drug convictions may be overturned.
Judicial Misconduct: When a Court Employee's Conviction for BP 22 Means Forfeiture of Benefits
The Supreme Court clarifies when a court employee's conviction for a crime involving moral turpitude, like BP 22 violations, leads to dismissal and forfeiture of retirement benefits.
Moral Turpitude and Public Service: The Consequences of Dishonored Checks
A court clerk's conviction for three counts of BP 22 violations leads to forfeiture of benefits and perpetual disqualification from government service.
Eyewitness Credibility and Social Media Evidence in Psychological Abuse Convictions
How the Supreme Court affirmed a psychological abuse conviction and set guidelines for proving social media authorship beyond reasonable doubt.
Gross Negligence of Counsel: When Final Convictions Can Be Reopened for Due Process
When a lawyer's gross negligence and lies cost a client the right to appeal, the Supreme Court may recall a final judgment to protect due process.
Protecting Children: Statutory Rape and Sexual Assault Convictions Clarified
The Supreme Court clarifies when an accused can be convicted of both statutory rape and sexual assault arising from a single incident against a child.
Probable Cause vs Due Process: Navigating Preliminary Investigations in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between probable cause and due process in preliminary investigations, affirming a direct bribery conviction.
Drug Den Conviction Overturned: Isolated Incidents and Chain of Custody Failures
Supreme Court acquits accused of maintaining a drug den, ruling isolated test-buy and broken chain of custody cannot sustain conviction.
People v. Achay: When Denial and Alibi Fail Against Positive Identification
The Supreme Court affirms convictions for murder and attempted homicide, explaining why denial and alibi cannot beat positive identification by credible witnesses.
Libel Conviction Upheld for Posting Carnapping Complaint on Bulletin Board
SC upholds libel conviction for posting a carnapping complaint on a jeepney terminal bulletin board, ruling publication and malice were proven.
Omission of Drug Quantity in Information: Can Conviction Still Stand?
The Supreme Court clarifies when an Information's failure to state drug quantity affects conviction and penalty in drug cases.