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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Self-Defense and Treachery: Examining Intent and Unlawful Aggression in Homicide Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when a victim's bad character matters in murder cases and why treachery negates self-defense claims.
Conspiracy by Actions Establishing Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Murder and Frustrated Murder Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how overt acts can prove conspiracy, treachery, and guilt in murder and attempted murder cases.
Eyewitness Testimony and Credibility in Murder Cases: The Noel Lee Case
How Philippine courts weigh eyewitness credibility, alibi, and treachery in murder convictions, explained through the Noel Lee case.
Conspiracy and Abuse of Superior Strength in Murder: Lessons from People v. Sumibcay
The Supreme Court explains how treachery, not conspiracy or abuse of superior strength, qualified killing to murder in People v. Sumibcay.
Self-Defense or Murder: The Limits of Justifiable Force in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a claim of self-defense fails and treachery turns a killing into murder under Philippine law.
Voluntary Surrender as a Mitigating Circumstance: When Murder Is Reduced to Homicide
The Supreme Court explains when voluntary surrender mitigates a killing and why a heated argument negates treachery, reducing murder to homicide.
Revisiting Criminal Liability Distinguishing Homicide From Murder Amidst Claims Of Treachery
The Supreme Court clarifies when treachery and evident premeditation must be proven to elevate homicide to murder.
Unexpected Assault: When Sudden Attacks Constitute Treachery in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains when a sudden, unexpected attack constitutes treachery, qualifying a killing as murder under Philippine law.
Reclassifying Criminal Liability From Murder TO Homicide Based ON Insufficient Proof OF Treachery AND Premeditation
Treachery in Criminal Law: The Element of Surprise in Murder Convictions
Philippine Supreme Court explains why treachery requires proof of deliberate surprise, not just multiple stab wounds.
Homicide or Murder: Proving Intent and the Weight of Dying Declarations
The Supreme Court clarifies when a killing is homicide, not murder, and how dying declarations identify an assailant.
Homicide vs Murder: The Fine Line in Criminal Intent Under Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a killing is homicide, not murder, by examining treachery and evident premeditation.
Self-Defense, Conspiracy, and Murder: Lessons from People v. Enfectana
The Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense fails, how conspiracy is proven, and what makes a killing treacherous murder.
Treachery and Self-Defense: Defining the Boundaries of Criminal Liability in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when treachery qualifies killing as murder and when self-defense fails, in People v. Enfectana.
Treachery in Criminal Law: Ensuring Justice for Victims of Unforeseen Attacks
When can treachery qualify a killing as murder? The Supreme Court explains the strict proof required for this aggravating circumstance.
Treachery in Criminal Law: Establishing Intent and Lack of Opportunity for Self-Defense
The Supreme Court explains how treachery qualifies a killing as murder, focusing on the victim's inability to defend and the attacker's deliberate method.
THE Line Between Jealousy AND Murder Establishing Premeditation IN Criminal Intent
Homicide vs Murder: When Qualifying Circumstances Are Not Proven
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a killing is homicide, not murder, absent proven treachery and evident premeditation.
Dying Declarations and Alibi in Philippine Homicide Cases: The Anacan Ruling
How the Supreme Court clarified eyewitness identification, alibi, and treachery in homicide cases, reducing a murder conviction to homicide.
Drugs, Murder, and Afterthoughts: Clarifying the Boundaries Between Robbery with Homicide and Multiple Offense
When theft is an afterthought to murder, the crime is not robbery with homicide. This case clarifies the distinction.
Positive Identification Trumps Alibi: Credibility and the Defense of Alibi in Murder Cases
The Supreme Court rules that positive identification prevails over alibi in murder cases, explaining credibility standards and the requisites for a valid alibi defense.
Eyewitness Testimony and Abuse of Superior Strength in Murder Conviction
Supreme Court affirms murder conviction based on child eyewitness testimony, finding abuse of superior strength where three men attacked a defenseless woman.
Treachery in Murder: Sudden Unexpected Attack Ensures Conviction
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains how treachery qualifies killing as murder, with practical guidance on proving sudden attacks.
Conspiracy and Treachery: How Group Violence Determines Criminal Liability
Learn how Philippine courts apply conspiracy and treachery in group attacks, using a Supreme Court murder case as a guide.