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.
Public Officer Liability: Good Faith Defense in Anti-Graft Cases
Supreme Court acquits PPA terminal manager in Section 3(e) case, clarifying the limits of criminal liability for public officers acting in good faith.
Reviving Judgments Balancing Timeliness AND Justice IN Philippine LAW
The Supreme Court acquits a PPA official in an anti-graft case, clarifying the elements of Section 3(e) of RA 3019.
Defective Informations and Qualifying Circumstances: Lessons from People v. Pilen
The Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Pilen clarifies when defective Informations waive objections and how treachery is proven.
Simple vs Grave Misconduct: Good Faith and Service in Public Office
The Supreme Court clarifies when a public officer's procedural lapse is simple misconduct, not grave misconduct, in government service.
Supreme Court Clarifies Good Faith Defense in PDAF NGO Contract Irregularities
SC ruling clarifies when failure to conduct public bidding in PDAF-funded NGO projects constitutes grave misconduct versus simple misconduct.
Probable Cause and Dismissal: Examining Double Murder Charges in Montilla v. People
The Supreme Court clarifies judicial probable cause, venue vs. jurisdiction, and dismissal of double murder charges in Montilla v. People.
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.
When Alibi and Denial Cannot Overturn Positive Identification: A Philippine Law Perspective
Philippine Supreme Court explains when alibi and denial fail against positive identification, with rules on treachery and stop and frisk.
Libel in the Philippines: When Posting a Complaint Becomes a Crime
The Supreme Court clarifies the elements of libel, including publication and malice, in a case involving posted criminal complaints.
Lascivious Conduct Under RA 7610: The Trocio Case on Child Abuse
The Supreme Court clarifies what constitutes lascivious conduct under RA 7610, holding a doctor liable for abusing a minor patient.
Tarnishing Public Office: Offering Money and the Limits of Official Conduct
A city councilor's act of offering money, even outside official duties, is conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
SALN Compliance Opportunity to Correct Errors Prevents Haphazard Prosecution
Supreme Court acquits public official of SALN violation, ruling that the review and compliance procedure under RA 6713 must precede prosecution.
Recanted Testimony: When Prior Statements Overrule a Witness's Change of Heart
The Supreme Court explains when a recanted testimony deserves scant consideration and why prior statements can convict.
Supreme Court Upholds Murder Conviction Despite Eyewitness Recantation
SC affirms murder conviction of man who stabbed victim with double-edged knife, ruling recanted testimony deserves scant weight.
Trust Receipts and Estafa: Upholding Criminal Liability for Breach of Trust
Supreme Court clarifies that failure to turn over goods or proceeds under trust receipts is estafa under PD 115, not mere civil liability.
Balancing Local Authority and National Mining Rights: The Luisito Marty Case
A mayor's refusal to issue mining permits tested the line between local autonomy and national mining law. The Supreme Court's ruling explained.
When Holding Two Positions Is Not Grave Misconduct: Espinas v. Ombudsman
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling that holding concurrent public and private bank positions, without corrupt intent, is not automatically grave misconduct.
Moral Ascendancy in Incestuous Rape: No Need to Prove Force or Intimidation
In incestuous rape, a father's moral ascendancy substitutes for force and intimidation, so direct proof of violence is unnecessary.
Undue Influence and the Anti-Graft Act: Protecting Public Officers From Unsubstantiated Charges
The Supreme Court clarifies that violating procurement rules alone does not prove graft under Section 3(e) of RA 3019.
Acquittal in Anti-Graft Case: Honest Mistake vs Corrupt Intent in Procurement
Supreme Court acquits mayors in anti-graft case, ruling that procurement violations without corrupt intent do not constitute Section 3(e) offenses.
Good Faith and the Anti-Graft Law: When an Honest Mistake Leads to Acquittal
The Supreme Court clarifies that violating procurement rules alone does not prove graft—corrupt intent must be shown beyond reasonable doubt.
SALN Misdeclaration: When Is It Simple Negligence, Not Serious Dishonesty?
The Supreme Court clarifies when a public official's SALN misdeclaration is simple negligence rather than serious dishonesty, and why explained wealth matters.
Contractor or Employer: Defining the Boundaries of Labor-Only Contracting in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when a contractor is a legitimate job contractor rather than a labor-only contractor, and who is the true employer.