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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Treachery in Criminal Law: How Philippine Courts Qualify a Killing as Murder
In People v. Avila, the Supreme Court explains when treachery qualifies a killing as murder, and why evident premeditation and abuse of superior strength failed.
Treachery in Criminal Law: Ensuring Justice for Victims of Violent Crimes in the Philippines
When an accused dies pending appeal, criminal liability ends—but civil liability may survive. Learn the rules from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Self-Defense and Treachery in Homicide Cases: What the Supreme Court Requires
Understand when self-defense fails in Philippine criminal law and how treachery qualifies a killing as murder, based on a 2016 Supreme Court ruling.
Treachery in Criminal Law: The Crucial Element of Deliberate Intent
Sudden attacks do not always amount to treachery. The Supreme Court explains when deliberate intent is required.
Loss of Earning Capacity: The Necessity of Competent Proof in Philippine Criminal Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that loss of earning capacity in criminal cases requires competent proof, not self-serving testimony.
Self-Defense and Double Jeopardy: Key Lessons from People v. De Leon
The Supreme Court's ruling in People v. De Leon clarifies the strict requirements for self-defense and the absolute protection against double jeopardy in Philippine criminal law.
Treachery in Criminal Law: The Element of Surprise in Murder Convictions
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that treachery does not require an attack from behind—even a frontal assault can qualify as murder when it is sudden and unexpected.
Treachery in Criminal Law: Deliberate Strategy vs Impulsive Action in Assault Cases
When is a sudden attack treachery? The Supreme Court explains why impulsive reactions do not qualify as alevosia.
Probation vs Appeal: Choosing Your Legal Path in Philippine Criminal Law
Learn how Philippine courts treat probation versus appeal in criminal cases, and why choosing the wrong remedy can forfeit your right to appeal.
Treachery in Criminal Law: How It Elevates Murder Charges in the Philippines
Learn how treachery qualifies killing into murder under Philippine law, explained through a Supreme Court ruling.
Treachery in Criminal Law: Ensuring Justice for Victims of Sudden Attacks
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies kidnapping for ransom elements, penalties, and damages in People v. Con-ui.
Treachery in Criminal Law: The Element of Surprise in Murder Convictions
Understand how treachery qualifies killing as murder under Philippine law, explained through a Supreme Court ruling on a sudden stabbing.
Voice Recognition as Positive Identification in Philippine Rape Cases
How voice recognition helped convict a rapist whose face was covered, and what this means for Philippine criminal law.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Force, Intimidation, and Credibility in Philippine Criminal Law
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, explaining force, intimidation, witness credibility, and damages in Philippine criminal law.
Treachery in Criminal Law: Ensuring Justice for Unexpected Attacks
The Supreme Court explains treachery as a qualifying circumstance in murder, using a 2013 case to clarify sudden, unprovoked attacks.
Treachery in Criminal Law: The Element of Surprise in Murder Convictions
How sudden, unexpected attacks qualify killings as murder under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code, explained through a 2013 Supreme Court ruling.
Treachery in Criminal Law: How Intent and Sudden Attack Shape Murder Convictions
The Supreme Court explains how treachery qualifies killing as murder, requiring deliberate, sudden attack leaving victim no defense.
Treachery in Criminal Law: How Sudden Attacks Determine Murder Convictions in the Philippines
Explore how treachery qualifies a killing as murder under Philippine law, as explained in People v. Asilan.
Self-Defense and Treachery: Key Distinctions in Philippine Criminal Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when self-defense fails and treachery qualifies killing as murder under Philippine law.
Conspiracy and Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Understanding Shared Liability
When do accomplices become equally liable for murder? The Supreme Court explains conspiracy and treachery in People v. Relos.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Understanding Intent and Qualifying Circumstances
The Supreme Court explains treachery as a qualifying circumstance in murder, and why self-defense failed in People v. Manulit.
Self-Defense vs Murder: Unlawful Aggression in Philippine Criminal Law
The Supreme Court explains when self-defense fails in murder cases, focusing on unlawful aggression as its primordial element.
Treachery in Criminal Law: Sudden Attacks and the Limits of Self-Defense
The Supreme Court explains when a sudden, unexpected attack qualifies as treachery, raising murder to reclusion perpetua.
Treachery in Criminal Law: Ensuring Justice for Victims of Sudden Attacks
The Supreme Court explains when a sudden, unexpected attack qualifies as treachery, raising homicide to murder under Philippine law.