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.
Compromised Evidence Safeguarding Drug Integrity IN Anti Drug Operations
When police fumble the chain of custody, drug convictions fail. A 2018 Supreme Court ruling shows why procedure matters.
Statutory Rape and the Burden of Proof: Lessons from People v. Ramirez
A look at People v. Ramirez on statutory rape, the burden of proof, and why hearsay cannot support a conviction.
Compromised Chain of Custody Leads to Acquittal in Drug Cases: Integrity of Evidence Crucial
Supreme Court acquits drug suspect after PDEA operatives fail to justify deviations from Section 21 chain of custody rule under RA 9165.
Custodial Investigation and Confessions in Qualified Theft: People v. Cabanada
When does a police interview become custodial investigation? People v. Cabanada clarifies Miranda rights and confession admissibility in theft cases.
Circumstantial Evidence and Conspiracy in Homicide Cases: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
How Philippine courts use circumstantial evidence and conspiracy to establish guilt in homicide cases beyond reasonable doubt.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Victim Credibility and Corroborating Testimony in Sexual Assault Cases
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, ruling that a minor victim's credible testimony, corroborated by medical evidence, suffices for conviction.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails: Circumstantial Evidence and the Burden of Proof in Rape Cases
A father's rape conviction was reversed when circumstantial evidence failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt, reaffirming the prosecution's burden in criminal cases.
Denial of Child Support as Economic Abuse Under RA 9262: Key Lessons from Melgar v. People
The Supreme Court rules that withholding child support is economic abuse under RA 9262, even without proof of psychological anguish.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: When Police Lapses Lead to Acquittal
A drug conviction requires an unbroken chain of custody. Learn what gaps in evidence handling can lead to acquittal.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Strict Compliance Is Required for Valid Convictions
The Supreme Court explains why strict adherence to Section 21 chain of custody rules is essential for valid drug convictions.
Upholding Buy-Bust Operations When Minor Deviations Don't Nullify Drug Convictions
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that minor deviations in buy-bust operations, like delayed marking, do not automatically invalidate drug convictions.
Compromised Evidence: The Vital Chain of Custody in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police broke the chain of custody rule under RA 9165. Learn the required procedure.
Chain of Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence and Protecting Rights in Illegal Sale Cases
The Supreme Court acquits two accused in a shabu sale case, stressing that gaps in the chain of custody create reasonable doubt.
Supreme Court on Self-Defense and Treachery in Homicide Cases
The High Court clarifies when self-defense fails and why treachery cannot be presumed in killings.
Self-Defense Claims and the Limits of Justification: The Panerio Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense fails and why multiple wounds negate it, reducing murder to homicide.
Dismissal for Immoral Conduct: Upholding Decency in the Judiciary
The Supreme Court dismisses a process server for exposing himself to a janitress, ruling it disgraceful and immoral conduct—a second offense warranting the severest penalty.
Chain of Custody Breaks: When Drug Evidence Fails in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court acquits drug suspect after police broke the chain of custody rule under RA 9165, Section 21.
Eyewitness Reliability and Positive Identification in Murder Cases
Learn how Philippine courts assess eyewitness reliability and positive identification in murder cases, and when an accused's death extinguishes criminal liability.
Probable Cause in Toll Bypass Cases: Theft of Telephone Services Under Philippine Law
Explore the Supreme Court's ruling on probable cause for theft in toll bypass operations, clarifying what constitutes unlawful taking of telephone services.
Insanity Plea Under Scrutiny: The Fine Line Between Confusion and Criminal Responsibility
The Supreme Court clarifies when confusion amounts to insanity exempting an accused from criminal liability, and when it does not.
RA 10951 Retroactive Application: Modifying Malversation Penalties After Final Judgment
Explains Hernan v. Sandiganbayan, where the Supreme Court allowed RA 10951's favorable penalty reduction to apply even after final judgment in malversation cases.
Just Compensation for Improvements in Expropriation: The Replacement Cost Rule
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how courts must value improvements in expropriation cases, requiring evidence of replacement cost under RA 8974.
Self-Defense and Unlawful Aggression: Key Lessons from Napone v. People
The Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense and defense of relatives fail, and how unlawful aggression must be proven in Philippine homicide cases.
Insanity Defense Clear Proof Required For Exemption From Criminal Liability In The Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that the insanity defense requires clear and convincing proof of cognitive impairment at the time of the crime.