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.
Judicial Overreach Limits MCTC Authority in Libel Cases
The Supreme Court reminds judges that only specific courts may conduct preliminary investigations in libel cases under Article 360.
Clerks of Court Cannot Charge Fees for Receiving Ex Parte Evidence
Supreme Court rules clerks of court cannot collect commissioner's fees for receiving ex parte evidence; reprimand issued in A.M. No. P-02-1594.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Upholding the Death Penalty for Rape of a Child Under Seven
The Supreme Court affirms the death penalty for the rape of a six-year-old child, clarifying rules on child testimony and proof of age.
Judicial Efficiency: Resolving Motions Within Prescribed Deadlines
The Supreme Court reminds judges that delaying motions beyond 90 days is gross inefficiency, as shown in Visbal vs. Buban.
Affidavits of Desistance: When Do They Overturn a Guilty Verdict?
When can an affidavit of desistance overturn a guilty verdict? The Supreme Court explains in Santos v. People.
Right to Information: Accused Cannot Be Convicted of a Crime Not Clearly Charged
The Supreme Court reinstates a rape case, ruling an information need only state the essential elements, not every detail.
The Right to Confrontation: Why Live Testimony Matters in Philippine Criminal Trials
The Supreme Court vacated a rape conviction because prosecutors used transcripts from another trial instead of presenting live witnesses, violating the accused's right to confrontation.
When Proof of Age Fails: Simple Rape Instead of Death in People v. Ochea
The Supreme Court reduced a death sentence to reclusion perpetua because prosecutors failed to prove the victim's minority in a rape case.
Conspiracy and Consent: Examining the Elements of Rape in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies rape elements, consent, and qualifying circumstances in a father's conviction for raping his 10-year-old daughter.
Supreme Court Upholds Murder Conviction Despite Fugitive Status
The High Court affirms a murder conviction even as the accused remains at large, ruling on treachery, alibi, and the retroactive application of procedural rules.
Admission vs Confession: Key Distinctions in Philippine Criminal Evidence
Learn the legal difference between an admission and a confession in Philippine criminal cases, and why it matters for evidence and conviction.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Victim Credibility and Delay in Reporting Explained
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, explains why a child victim's testimony is credible despite delay in reporting and why alibi failed.
Independent Civil Actions: Enforcing Contract Obligations Separate From Criminal Liability
The Supreme Court clarifies when a civil collection case can proceed independently of dismissed criminal estafa cases, and why res judicata does not bar it.
Theft Conviction Affirmed: Eyewitness Testimony vs. Alibi in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on theft conviction, eyewitness credibility, conspiracy, and alibi defenses explained in plain language.
Judicial Overreach Limits On MCTC Judges Granting Bail After Jurisdiction Transfer
MCTC judge fined for granting bail after jurisdiction transferred to RTC. Learn the limits of bail authority.
Rape Conviction Stands Even Without Physical Injury: Absence of Genital Wounds Does Not Mean Consent
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: rape of a mentally incapacitated victim needs no genital injury; absence of wounds does not imply consent.
Safeguarding Confessions: The Right to Competent Counsel in Philippine Law
A confession is inadmissible if the accused lacked truly competent, independent counsel during custodial investigation.
Statutory Rape: Why Pleading Qualifying Circumstances in the Information Matters
A Supreme Court ruling shows why prosecutors must allege both the victim's minority and relationship to the accused to justify the death penalty.
Statutory Rape and Parental Authority: Why the Supreme Court Upheld a Father's Conviction
The Supreme Court affirms a father's rape conviction, explaining how parental moral ascendancy substitutes for force and why proof of age matters for the death penalty.
Simple vs Qualified Rape: Why Allegations in the Information Matter
The Supreme Court explains why the death penalty for qualified rape requires both minority and relationship to be alleged in the information.
Incestuous Rape: Proving the Victim's Age and the Limits of Amending the Information
A father's rape conviction was reduced from death to reclusion perpetua because the prosecution failed to prove the victim's minority with competent evidence.
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.
How the Supreme Court Sanctions Judicial Delay and Prosecutorial Nonfeasance in Criminal Cases
The Supreme Court annulled an acquittal tainted by prosecutorial nonfeasance and judicial delay, reaffirming due process for offended parties.
Statutory Rape: Why Proving Familial Relationship Matters in Aggravated Cases
A Supreme Court ruling shows that in statutory rape, the qualifying circumstance of relationship must be proven beyond reasonable doubt, not merely alleged.