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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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.
Discovery Proceedings: The Consequences of Concealing Evidence in Forfeiture Cases
A look at Republic v. Tantoco, Jr., where the Supreme Court upheld sanctions for concealing evidence during discovery in a forfeiture case.
Writ of Kalikasan: Supreme Court Requires Concrete Evidence, Not Mere Allegations
The Supreme Court clarifies that Writ of Kalikasan petitioners must present concrete evidence linking a defendant's acts to environmental damage, not just allegations.
Writ of Kalikasan Requires Concrete Evidence, Not Speculation: Water for All Refund Movement Case
The Supreme Court clarifies that a Writ of Kalikasan demands concrete evidence of environmental harm, not mere speculation or unsubstantiated allegations.
Accidental Killing vs Intent: Proving Guilt in Rape with Homicide Cases
The Supreme Court explains when the defense of accident fails in rape with homicide cases, and how circumstantial evidence can prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Child Abuse and Sexual Assault: Understanding Philippine Law and Protecting Children
The Supreme Court clarifies how Philippine law punishes child abuse and sexual assault, including key rules on evidence and penalties.
Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: When Courts Can Depart from DAR Formulas
Explains the Supreme Court ruling on just compensation in agrarian reform, when courts may deviate from DAR valuation formulas, and why evidence matters.
Negligence in Notarization: Lawyers Must Verify Identity to Avoid Malpractice
A notary's failure to verify identity through competent evidence can lead to suspension and loss of notarial commission.
Search Warrant Validity: Compelling Reasons Needed for Out-of-Jurisdiction Applications
Supreme Court clarifies that "compelling reasons" for out-of-jurisdiction search warrant applications require substantial evidence, not bare claims of information leakage.
Plea Bargaining in Drug Cases: Supreme Court Upholds Judicial Discretion Over DOJ Guidelines
The Supreme Court clarifies that trial courts must resolve plea bargaining proposals in drug cases based on evidence, not just DOJ guidelines.
Plea Bargaining in Drug Cases: DOJ Guidelines and Court Discretion in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when trial courts may approve plea bargaining in drug cases and the role of evidence in resolving objections.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Jurisdictional Challenges and Circumstantial Evidence
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, clarifying that a prosecutor's lack of written authority does not defeat a court's jurisdiction and that circumstantial evidence can prove carnal knowledge.
Vote Buying Claims Need Credible Evidence, Not Just Video Clips
The Supreme Court clarifies what evidence is needed to establish probable cause for vote-buying complaints under the Omnibus Election Code.
Electoral Integrity: Credible Evidence Required to Substantiate Vote-Buying Allegations
The Supreme Court clarifies that vote-buying complaints need credible evidence, not just videos and speculation, to establish probable cause.
Reconstitution of Lost Land Titles: Strict Rules Under RA 26 Explained
Lost your Torrens title? Judicial reconstitution demands strict compliance with RA 26. Learn the rules, evidence, and burden of proof.
Custody Chain Integrity: Safeguarding Drug Evidence in Philippine Law
How the Supreme Court in People v. Tamundi clarified the chain of custody rule and witness requirements under Section 21 of RA 9165.
Void Search Warrants and the Right Against Unreasonable Searches: Mendoza v. People
A void search warrant taints the arrest and evidence seized; waiver of arrest defects does not waive evidence inadmissibility.
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.
Probable Cause Prevails Warrantless Arrest Upheld Despite Acquittal IN Underlying Crime
A defective search warrant cannot justify a warrantless arrest or the seizure of evidence, even if the accused waives objections to the arrest itself.
Buy-Bust Operations: Ensuring Integrity in Drug Evidence and Upholding Chain of Custody
The Supreme Court explains when minor deviations from Section 21's chain of custody rule are justified in buy-bust operations.
Chain of Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence From Seizure to Trial
The Supreme Court explains when minor deviations in the chain of custody rule for seized drugs are excused, using a 2022 cocaine case.
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.
Oral Partition of Inheritance: Proving Verbal Agreements in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when an oral partition of inherited property can override a written extrajudicial settlement, and what evidence is needed.
Circumstantial Evidence in Philippine Criminal Cases: Proving Guilt Without Eyewitnesses
How Philippine courts use circumstantial evidence to convict in murder and arson cases, explained through the Camarse ruling.