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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When Can Circumstantial Evidence Lead to a Murder Conviction in the Philippines
Learn when Philippine courts accept circumstantial evidence to convict for murder, the legal rules, and practical takeaways.
Ethical Boundaries for Court Employees: Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
A court stenographer was fined for processing land titles for litigants. Learn the ethical rules for court personnel.
Rape and Incest: Understanding Consent and Familial Abuse in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms a father's rape conviction but acquits him of a second count where the victim could not identify her attacker.
Circumstantial Evidence in Rape Cases: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
How the Supreme Court upheld a rape-homicide conviction based solely on circumstantial evidence, and what this means for Philippine criminal prosecutions.
Execution Pending Appeal: When Can a Court Enforce a Decision Immediately
Philippine Supreme Court explains the strict rules for execution pending appeal, including notice, good reasons, and timing.
When Circumstantial Evidence Suffices: Rape with Homicide and the Limits of Alibi
The Supreme Court explains when circumstantial evidence can convict, why alibi rarely works, and the difference between reclusion perpetua and life imprisonment.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Credibility of Testimony and Delayed Reporting in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on rape conviction, witness credibility, and delayed reporting explained in plain language.
Falsification and Anti-Graft Liability: Lessons from Molina v. People
A look at how the Supreme Court upheld convictions for estafa through falsification and graft, and why recanted testimony rarely saves a conviction.
Judge's Authority in Marriage Solemnization: Jurisdiction and Validity Rules
Learn the jurisdictional limits of judges solemnizing marriages in the Philippines and the mandatory presumptive death proceeding under the Family Code.
Rape Conviction and Consent: Credibility and Evidence in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on attempted rape clarifies consent, credibility, and evidence standards in criminal cases.
Self-Defense in the Philippines: When Using Force Becomes Justifiable
Philippine law allows self-defense only under strict conditions. Learn the rules, the limits of proportionate force, and key lessons from a Supreme Court case.
Eyewitness Testimony: How It Can Make or Break a Murder Case in the Philippines
How a single eyewitness's positive identification can secure a murder conviction, and why courts trust credible testimony over denial.
Credibility of Child Testimony in Rape Cases: Lessons from People v. Gabris
How Philippine courts assess a child rape victim's testimony, and why minor inconsistencies do not destroy credibility.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Consent, Corroborating Evidence, and the Credibility of a Child Victim
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, explaining consent, corroborating evidence, and why a child victim's credible testimony suffices.
Rape Conviction Understanding Credibility OF Witnesses AND Victim Testimony IN Philippine LAW
Philippine courts rely on credible witness testimony in rape cases. This article explains how trial courts assess victim credibility and prosecution evidence.
Rape Conviction: The Role of Intimidation and Consent in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that intimidation, not just force, proves rape; a stepfather's moral ascendancy over a child victim is key.
Moral Turpitude and Fencing: Understanding Disqualification in Philippine Elections
Learn how a fencing conviction disqualifies candidates from local office under Philippine election law, explained in plain language.
Perfecting an Appeal: Understanding the Importance of Procedural Compliance in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on strict procedural compliance in appeals and the limits of administrative interpretation of law.
Positive Identification in Philippine Criminal Law: When Is It Enough for Conviction
When does a witness's positive identification suffice for conviction? The Supreme Court explains in People v. Compendio.
Enforcing Labor Rights Understanding Prescription AND Jurisdiction IN Philippine Labor LAW
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on labor claim prescription, jurisdiction, and enforcement of compromise agreements in MWSS v. NLRC.
PNP Accountability When Law Enforcers Commit Murder in the Philippines
Supreme Court affirms murder conviction of four PNP members, holding police accountable for extrajudicial killing and escape from custody.
Rape and Statutory Rape: Understanding the Nuances of Consent and Age in Philippine Law
A 1996 Supreme Court ruling clarifies the key difference between statutory rape and rape by force, and why proving the victim's age matters.
Rape Conviction Upheld: The Credibility of Child Testimony in Sexual Assault Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a father's rape conviction, explaining why a child victim's testimony is credible and how statutory rape is proven.
Compulsory Counterclaims When A Court Loses Jurisdiction Over Related Claims
When a court dismisses the main action for lack of jurisdiction, the compulsory counterclaim falls with it. Learn the rule.