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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Safeguarding Children: Distinguishing Sexual Abuse and Rape in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that rape under the Revised Penal Code and sexual abuse under RA 7610 are separate crimes, and a single act can give rise to both offenses without violating double jeopardy
Unlawful Restraint: The Essential Elements of Serious Illegal Detention in the Philippines
Understand the elements of serious illegal detention under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code, explained through a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Treachery Prevails Establishing Murder Without Evident Premeditation in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when treachery—not evident premeditation—qualifies a killing as murder under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code.
Custodial Rights and Illegal Detention: Protecting Minors From Unlawful Deprivation of Liberty
The Supreme Court affirms that taking a minor, even briefly, constitutes serious illegal detention under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code.
Death of Accused Extinguishes Criminal Liability and Abates Criminal Action
Supreme Court clarifies that an accused's death extinguishes criminal liability and abates the criminal action, citing the Revised Penal Code.
Acts of Lasciviousness Under RA 7610: Scope of Child Sexual Abuse Defined
The Supreme Court clarifies when acts of lasciviousness fall under RA 7610's child abuse provisions, not just the Revised Penal Code.
Death of Accused Pending Appeal Extinguishes Criminal and Civil Liability
Explore how the Supreme Court applied of the Revised Penal Code in People v. Toukyo, clarifying that death abates criminal liability and related civil claims.
Self-Defense and Unlawful Aggression: Proving Justifying Circumstances in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains what it takes to prove self-defense and defense of relatives under Article 11 of the Revised Penal Code.
Estafa by Concealing Documents: What the Capulong Case Teaches About Fraud and Liability
The Supreme Court clarifies when concealing documents like a vehicle's OR-CR amounts to estafa under the Revised Penal Code.
Extinguishment of Criminal Liability: Death Before Final Judgment in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when death extinguishes criminal and civil liability, applying Article 89 of the Revised Penal Code.
Rape of a Person Deprived of Reason: How Philippine Law Protects Mentally Retarded Victims
In People v. Rodriguez, the Supreme Court clarified that carnal knowledge of a mental retardate is rape of a person deprived of reason under the Revised Penal Code.
Breach of Trust: Understanding Malversation of Public Funds in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains the elements of malversation under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code, including the presumption of misappropriation when funds are not forthcoming upon demand.
Upholding the Sanctity of the Home: Violation of Domicile in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies the crime of violation of domicile under the Revised Penal Code, emphasizing the protection of the home against unlawful intrusion.
When a Blessing Becomes an Illegal Marriage Ceremony: The Ronulo Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when a priest's blessing of a couple without a marriage license becomes an illegal marriage ceremony under Article 352 of the Revised Penal Code.
Condonation and Concubinage: Understanding Marital Forgiveness in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies how condonation affects criminal liability for concubinage under the Revised Penal Code, and what spouses should know.
Estafa and Inflation: Supreme Court on Disproportionate Penalties in Property Crimes
The Supreme Court explains why courts cannot adjust estafa penalties for inflation and what Article 5 of the Revised Penal Code requires instead.
PLDT Network Integrity: Defining Theft in Telecommunications Fraud
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether ISR network fraud constitutes theft under the Revised Penal Code, and search warrant standards.
When Kin Turn Killers: Conspiracy and Defense of Relatives in Philippine Murder Law
The Supreme Court affirms murder convictions of three relatives, clarifying conspiracy and the defense of relatives under Article 11 of the Revised Penal Code.
Statutory Rape and Credibility: What People v. Piosang Teaches Philippine Litigants
A child rape conviction shows how Philippine courts weigh a young victim's testimony, reject alibi, and fix penalties and damages under the Revised Penal Code.
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.
Failure to Account for Trust Property as Evidence of Estafa
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how failure to return property held in trust can prove estafa under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code.
Age Discrepancies in Statutory Rape: Reassessing Penalties Under Special Laws and the Revised Penal Code
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a child victim's age determines whether an offender is charged with statutory rape or sexual abuse under RA 7610.
Age Matters: Distinguishing Sexual Abuse from Rape Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a sexual act against a minor is sexual abuse under RA 7610 versus statutory rape under the Revised Penal Code.
Attempted Estafa in the Philippines: Proving Intent to Defraud and Penalties
Learn how Philippine courts prove intent to defraud in attempted estafa cases, the elements of the crime, and the applicable penalties under the Revised Penal Code.