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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Reasonable Doubt and Circumstantial Evidence in Murder Cases: People v. Orcula
When circumstantial evidence fails to prove treachery, a murder conviction may be reduced to homicide. Learn from People v. Orcula.
Incestuous Rape and the Moral Ascendancy Standard: Key Lessons from People v. Nava
The Supreme Court explains the moral ascendancy standard in incestuous rape and why qualifying circumstances must be pleaded in the information.
Incestuous Rape: Moral Ascendancy as Intimidation and the Need to Plead Special Circumstances
The Supreme Court explains why a father's moral ascendancy suffices as intimidation in incestuous rape, and why unpleaded special circumstances mean simple rape only.
Crucial Details Matter: How a Flawed Rape Charge Can Change a Verdict in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court's strict review of qualifying circumstances like treachery can reduce a murder conviction to homicide.
Incestuous Rape Relationship as a Qualifying Circumstance for the Death Penalty
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when the father-daughter relationship in rape must be alleged in the complaint to justify the death penalty.
Eyewitness Testimony vs Alibi: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
When no eyewitness exists, circumstantial evidence can convict. Learn how the Supreme Court weighed it against alibi in a Philippine homicide case.
When Circumstantial Evidence Convicts: Homicide, Not Murder, in People v. Santos
The Supreme Court explains when circumstantial evidence suffices for conviction and why treachery must be proven, not presumed.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Intent and Qualifying Circumstances
Learn how treachery qualifies homicide to murder in Philippine law, explained through the Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Obosa.
TAX Refunds AND THE Duty OF THE State BPI Family Savings Bank VS CIR
Rape by a Stepfather Figure and the Limits of Information in Imposing the Death Penalty
A rape conviction upheld, but the death penalty was reduced because the qualifying circumstance was not properly alleged.
Evaluating Witness Credibility in Philippine Criminal Law: The Orio Brothers Case
How Philippine courts weigh witness credibility, minor inconsistencies, and qualifying circumstances like treachery in murder cases.
Finality of Tax Assessments: Timeliness, Gross Receipts, and the Security Guard Case
A look at Protector's Services v. CIR on tax assessment finality, prescriptive periods, and what counts as gross receipts.
Relationship Matters Qualifying Circumstances and Retroactive Penal Laws in Rape Cases
How a missing allegation of stepfather relationship reduced a death sentence to reclusion perpetua, and why Garcia applies retroactively.
Conspiracy and Intent: How Philippine Courts Establish Criminal Liability
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how conspiracy and intent establish criminal liability, and why charging documents must state every qualifying circumstance.
Robbery With Homicide: Proving Conspiracy and Liability of All Participants
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on robbery with homicide, conspiracy liability, and the penalty of reclusion perpetua when no aggravating circumstances exist.
Rape With Intimidation: The Standard of Resistance and Aggravating Circumstances
The Supreme Court clarifies that in rape, intimidation can substitute for physical resistance, and aggravating circumstances need not be alleged in the information.
Step-Parent Rape and the Death Penalty: What Philippine Law Requires
The Supreme Court affirms the death penalty for a stepfather who raped his 11-year-old stepdaughter, clarifying the rules on qualifying circumstances and damages.
Unraveling Circumstantial Evidence Conviction Despite Lack OF Direct Proof IN Murder Cases
When Circumstantial Evidence Justifies Dismissal for Fraud Against the Company
Philippine Airlines v. NLRC shows when circumstantial evidence suffices to prove employee fraud justifying dismissal for loss of trust.
Circumstantial Evidence in Robbery With Homicide: When Conviction Stands Beyond Reasonable Doubt
The Supreme Court explains when circumstantial evidence suffices to convict for robbery with homicide, and why flight and unexplained absence signal guilt.
Child Rape in the Philippines: What People v. Lomerio Teaches About Credible Testimony
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling on convicting a child rapist on the victim's testimony, the meaning of carnal knowledge, and how aggravating circumstances are weighed.
Rape Conviction and Death Penalty: The Mendiona Case on Aggravating Circumstances
Philippine Supreme Court affirms death penalty for rape with deadly weapon and aggravating circumstances, clarifying civil indemnity rules under Article 335.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Deadly Weapon and Aggravating Circumstances Justify Death Penalty
Supreme Court affirms death penalty for rape committed with a deadly weapon and two aggravating circumstances, clarifying civil indemnity rules.
Circumstantial Evidence and Eyewitness Testimony in Rape of a Minor: People v. Torejos
The Supreme Court affirms a death sentence for rape of a three-year-old, clarifying evidentiary rules on witness credibility and circumstantial proof.