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.
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.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: How a Marking Error Can Lead to Acquittal
A marking error in the chain of custody can break the link and lead to acquittal in drug cases, as shown in People v. Valencia.
Foreclosure Publication Rule: Why Missing the Notice Voids the Sale
Failure to publish a foreclosure notice under Act No. 3135 is a jurisdictional defect that invalidates the sale, as Baclig v. Rural Bank of Cabugao shows.
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.
Chain of Custody Breach Warrants Acquittal in Drug Sale Case
Supreme Court acquits drug suspects where inventory was done at PDEA office, not arrest site, without justification.
Supreme Court Acquits Drug Suspects: Strict Chain of Custody Still Required
The Supreme Court acquitted two drug suspects because police failed to justify why the inventory was not done at the arrest site. Learn the rule.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: Insights from the Supreme Court's Facebook Post Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies how social media posts can prove psychological abuse under RA 9262 and when ICT use raises the penalty.
Robbery by Extortion: When Law Enforcement Crosses the Line
Police officers who demand money to drop charges commit robbery by extortion. The Supreme Court explains why.
Hot Pursuit Arrests: When Is a Warrant Required in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains the limits of warrantless hot pursuit arrests and the chain of custody rule for seized drugs.
Reconstitution of Lost Land Titles: Register of Deeds' Duty Under RA 26
When registry records go missing, who must reconstitute your land title? The Supreme Court clarifies the Register of Deeds' duty under RA 26.
Gross Negligence of Counsel Can Restore the Right to Appeal in Criminal Cases
When a lawyer's gross negligence and misrepresentations cause a client to lose the right to appeal, the Supreme Court may recall the entry of judgment and reinstate the appeal.
Mitigating Circumstances and Gross Neglect of Duty: Reassessing Penalties in Judiciary Misconduct
The Supreme Court modifies dismissal to suspension for a clerk of court guilty of gross neglect, appreciating mitigating circumstances under amended Rule 140.
Chain of Custody Breaks Lead to Acquittal in Election Weapon Ban Case
Supreme Court acquits accused in election weapons ban case due to broken chain of custody over seized folding knife.
Breach of Public Trust: Accountability for Mismanagement of Court Funds in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling on a clerk of court's liability for fund mismanagement, tampered receipts, and delayed deposits.
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.
Unlawful Possession of Firearms: What You Need to Know Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on illegal possession of firearms under RA 10591, including penalties and the effect of acquittal in related drug cases.
Invalid Search Warrants: Protecting Rights Against Unreasonable Seizures
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect after ruling that a search warrant covering two offenses is void, making seized evidence inadmissible.
Understanding the One-Specific-Offense Rule for Search Warrants in Philippine Drug Cases
A defective search warrant covering multiple offenses voids seizures, even if the accused waives objections to arrest.
Hot Pursuit Arrests and Drug Evidence: Lessons from Adoma v. People
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect, clarifying the rules on warrantless arrests and the chain of custody of seized items.
Attempted Trafficking in Persons: When Simulating a Birth and Taking Custody of a Child Leads to Conviction
The Supreme Court explains when simulating a birth and acquiring custody of a child constitutes attempted trafficking in persons under Philippine law.
Balancing Justice and Procedure When Counsel's Negligence Impacts an Appeal
The Supreme Court rules that a counsel's failure to file a brief on time should not cost an accused his appeal, especially when liberty is at stake.
Judicial Clemency: When Is a Judge Entitled to a Second Chance?
The Supreme Court explains the strict requirements for judicial clemency, including remorse, reformation, and the five-year waiting period.
Foreign Divorce Recognition in the Philippines: Proving Japanese Law Matters
The Supreme Court clarifies what evidence is needed to recognize a foreign divorce in the Philippines, focusing on proving foreign law.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails When A Threat Doesnt Meet THE Legal Threshold
The Supreme Court acquits an OMB chairman of graft when conspiracy rests on hearsay, while affirming a subordinate's conviction.