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.
When Group Violence Turns Fatal: Treachery, Conspiracy, and Criminal Liability
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when treachery applies in group violence and why the prosecution must prove how the attack began.
Incestuous Rape: Moral Ascendancy as Substitute for Force and Intimidation
In incestuous rape, a father's moral ascendancy over his daughter can substitute for force and intimidation, the Supreme Court ruled in People v. Madera.
Reasonable Doubt Safeguarding Liberty in Kidnapping Cases
A look at People v. Obeso, where the Supreme Court acquitted a man of kidnapping, stressing that conviction requires proof beyond reasonable doubt.
Incestuous Rape: Consummation vs Attempt and Proving Carnal Knowledge Beyond Reasonable Doubt
The Supreme Court distinguishes consummated from attempted incestuous rape, stressing the prosecution's burden to prove carnal knowledge beyond reasonable doubt.
Upholding Electoral Integrity: COMELEC's Power to Correct Manifest Errors
The Supreme Court affirms COMELEC's authority to correct manifest errors in vote tabulation, prioritizing the people's will over technical objections.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: When Social Media Posts Become Crimes
The Supreme Court clarifies when Facebook posts constitute psychological abuse under RA 9262 and how ICT use raises penalties.
Moral Turpitude and Professional Responsibility: When a Lawyer's Personal Conduct Affects Their Career
Philippine Supreme Court suspends lawyer for two years for immorality and for creating the appearance of influencing judges.
Res Gestae Exception: Admissibility of Spontaneous Statements in Philippine Homicide Cases
Learn how the Supreme Court applied the res gestae exception to admit a victim's spontaneous statement identifying his assailant in a homicide case.
Honesty Required: Falsifying Personal Data Sheets Leads to Dismissal in the Judiciary
Court employee dismissed for lying about a pending criminal case in his personal data sheets. Learn the rule on honesty in public service.
Witness Credibility and Alibi Defense: How the Supreme Court Affirmed a Rape Conviction
The Supreme Court affirms a qualified rape conviction, explaining why a child victim's credible testimony outweighs the defense of denial and alibi.
Incestuous Rape: Why the Supreme Court Upheld the Victim's Testimony Against Her Brother
The Supreme Court affirms a death sentence for incestuous rape, explaining why a victim's testimony against her own brother deserves full credence.
Defying Court Orders Corporate Officers Held Liable For Contempt AND Restitution
Corporate officers who defy court orders to return property can be held in contempt and ordered to pay restitution personally, even if a fire later destroys the property.
Authorized Driver Clause and Police Blotters in Insurance Claims
When can an insurer deny a claim based on the authorized driver clause? The Supreme Court explains the evidentiary weight of police blotters.
Incestuous Rape: Why the Prosecution Must Prove the Victim's Age Beyond Reasonable Doubt
In incestuous rape cases, the prosecution must prove the victim's minority and relationship to the offender beyond reasonable doubt to justify the death penalty.
The Element of Surprise: Defining Treachery in Philippine Murder Cases
The Supreme Court explains when a sudden, unexpected attack qualifies as treachery, elevating a killing to murder under Philippine law.
Landlord Rights Prevail Recovering Possession Despite Ownership Claims
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when tenants cannot appeal denial of new trial and how counsel's errors bind clients.
Murder Conviction Upheld: Treachery and Voluntary Surrender in People v. Arca
The Supreme Court clarifies treachery in murder cases and the mitigating effect of voluntary surrender in People v. Arca.
Electoral Protests: COMELEC's Power to Correct Errors and the Essence of Due Process
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on COMELEC's authority to correct canvass errors and what due process truly requires in election cases.
Murder Conviction Upheld: Credibility of Witnesses and Civil Damages in People v. Pacuancuan
Supreme Court affirms murder conviction based on witness credibility, clarifies damages for death by treachery in People v. Pacuancuan.
Witness Credibility and Its Decisive Role in Philippine Murder Convictions
How Philippine courts assess witness credibility in murder cases, explained through People v. Pacuancuan and practical lessons for litigants.
Competency of Witnesses: Testimony of Persons with Mental Retardation in Rape Cases
The Supreme Court affirms that a person with mental retardation can be a competent witness in rape cases if able to perceive and relate facts.
When Contractors Overstate Work: COA's Audit Power and Quantum Meruit in Government Projects
The Supreme Court affirms COA's power to determine actual work accomplished and recover overpayments from government contractors under quantum meruit.
The Weight of Fear: Evaluating Delay in Rape Cases Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on rape convictions, victim credibility, and why delay in reporting does not weaken a case.
When Silence Doesnt Mean Innocence: The Complexities of Self-Defense in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that silence or lack of resistance does not negate force in rape cases, affirming a father's conviction.