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.
Graft and Conspiracy: When Private Individuals Become Publicly Liable
Explore the Supreme Court ruling on splitting government contracts and conspiracy liability in procurement under RA 9184.
Understanding Intent to Kill: The Fine Line Between Attempted Murder and Serious Physical Injuries
The Supreme Court clarifies when a violent attack is attempted murder or only serious physical injuries, focusing on intent to kill and spontaneous desistance.
DOSRI Violations in Philippine Banking: Lessons from Apolinario v. People
The Supreme Court's ruling in Apolinario v. People clarifies DOSRI rules, insider lending limits, and director liability in Philippine banking.
Understanding Conspiracy and Collective Responsibility in Rape Cases: A Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Deci
A landmark ruling clarifies when conspiracy exists in rape cases and how collective responsibility applies to all perpetrators.
When One Is Liable for All: Conspiracy in Gang Rape Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that in conspiracy, each accused is liable for all acts of rape committed by co-conspirators, even those at large.
Bid Withdrawal vs. Not Bidding: The Jaspe Case on RA 9184 and Grave Misconduct
The Supreme Court clarifies the difference between bid withdrawal and simply not bidding under RA 9184, and when BAC members may be liable for grave misconduct.
Understanding Intent in Child Abuse Cases: The Role of Specific Intent in Philippine Law
Philippine law requires specific intent for child abuse convictions. Learn how courts determine criminal intent in these sensitive cases.
Probable Cause and Syndicated Estafa: Key Insights from a Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Case
The Supreme Court clarifies probable cause, syndicated estafa, and conspiracy in Debuque v. Nilson, a landmark ruling on criminal procedure.
Libel in Media: When News Reporting Crosses Legal Boundaries
The Supreme Court clarifies when news reports become libelous and why denying a motion to quash is not appealable via certiorari.
Rape Convictions and Victim Credibility: Lessons from a Robbery with Rape Case
The Supreme Court explains how victim testimony and conspiracy principles shape rape convictions in robbery with rape cases.
What a Disbarment Case Teaches About Lawyers and Corporate Roles in the Philippines
The Supreme Court dismissed a disbarment case against three lawyers, clarifying that corporate acts and mere receipt of pleadings are not professional misconduct.
Employee Termination for Unauthorized Absences: Lessons from a Landmark Philippine Case
Learn how Philippine courts handle employee termination for unauthorized absences and what employers must prove to avoid illegal dismissal claims.
Understanding Accomplice Liability in Philippine Homicide Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when a person becomes an accomplice rather than a principal in homicide, and how civil liability is apportioned.
Understanding Conspiracy and Treachery in Philippine Murder and Robbery Cases
The Supreme Court explains how conspiracy and treachery work in murder and robbery cases, and what must be alleged in the Information.
Less Serious Physical Injuries: When Intent to Kill Is Absent
The Supreme Court clarifies when a mauling results in less serious physical injuries rather than attempted homicide, and how a brawl differs from a tumultuous affray.
Robbery with Rape: When Accomplices Are Liable for a Co-Accused’s Rape
The Supreme Court clarifies when a robber is liable for a co-accused’s rape, requiring proof of awareness and opportunity to prevent it.
Understanding Qualified Trafficking in Persons: Consent and Vulnerability in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains how consent does not negate trafficking when victims are vulnerable minors recruited for sexual exploitation.
Understanding Kidnapping for Ransom: Legal Insights From a Landmark Philippine Case
A 2020 Supreme Court ruling clarifies the elements of kidnapping for ransom under Philippine law and why alibis rarely prevail against positive identification.
Understanding Conspiracy and Principal by Inducement in Philippine Parricide Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies conspiracy and principal by inducement in parricide, ruling that a wife's words of command made her equally liable with the killer.
Direct Bribery in the Philippines: Key Lessons from Mangulabnan v. People
Direct bribery explained through a landmark Supreme Court case: elements of the crime, evidentiary standards, and practical lessons for public officers.
Understanding Probable Cause in Public Procurement: Insights from a Landmark Supreme Court Decision
The Supreme Court clarifies probable cause standards in public procurement cases, emphasizing that mere signature on documents does not prove bad faith.
Understanding Demurrers to Evidence: When Can You Challenge the Prosecution's Case
A demurrer to evidence lets an accused challenge the prosecution's case. But denial cannot be attacked via certiorari, as Espinosa v. Sandiganbayan shows.
Can Private Individuals Be Charged With Corruption Under Philippine Law? The Canlas Case Explains
The Supreme Court clarifies that private individuals acting in conspiracy with public officers may be indicted for graft under Section 3(e) of RA 3019.
Falsification vs Estafa: Identifying the True Crime in Fraudulent Schemes
The Supreme Court clarifies when falsification of a private document, not estafa, is the proper charge in fraud cases.