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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Upholding Drug Conviction: Chain of Custody and Presumption of Regularity
Philippine Supreme Court affirms drug sale conviction, explaining chain of custody rules and presumption of regularity in police work under RA 9165.
Presumption of Innocence Prevails: Reversal of Rape Conviction Due to Insufficient Evidence
Philippine Supreme Court acquits rape accused where prosecution evidence failed to overcome presumption of innocence, reaffirming proof beyond reasonable doubt standard.
Unbroken Chain Upholding Convictions In Drug Cases Through Evidence Integrity
The Supreme Court affirms drug convictions, ruling that substantial compliance with Section 21, RA 9165 suffices when evidence integrity is preserved.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Child Witness Credibility and the Hymenal Laceration Myth
The Supreme Court affirms a grandfather's qualified rape conviction, holding that an intact hymen does not negate rape and that a child's credible testimony suffices.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: When Police Lapses Do Not Mean Acquittal
The Supreme Court explains when lapses in Section 21 procedures still allow conviction, so long as the drug's integrity is preserved.
Circumstantial Evidence and Hearsay Rule: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Rape Cases
A look at how Philippine courts weigh circumstantial evidence, hearsay objections, and the credibility of a minor victim's testimony in rape convictions.
When a Father's Acts Are Crimes: Rape and Lascivious Conduct Under Philippine Law
A father's conviction for qualified rape and sexual abuse of his minor daughter, explaining the legal distinctions and penalties.
Incestuous Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Alleged Testimonial Inconsistencies
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, ruling minor inconsistencies in victim testimony do not undermine credibility or the prosecution's case.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Credible Testimony and Victims' Rights in Sexual Assault Cases
A father's rape conviction upheld by the Supreme Court, affirming the weight of a child victim's credible testimony.
Eyewitness Testimony and the Standard of Proof in Murder Convictions: People v. Watamama
The Supreme Court clarifies when eyewitness testimony suffices for conviction and why treachery must be proven, not presumed, in murder cases.
Circumstantial Evidence and Conviction: Establishing Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
The Supreme Court explains when circumstantial evidence suffices to convict for homicide, and clarifies the rules on incomplete self-defense and voluntary surrender.
Fraternity Violence and Eyewitness Identification: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
How the Supreme Court upheld convictions for fraternity violence based on positive eyewitness identification despite masks and chaotic circumstances.
Challenging Drug Convictions THE Importance OF Chain OF Custody IN Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
Grenade Attack and Complex Crimes: Establishing Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
The Supreme Court affirms a conviction for murder and frustrated murder from a single grenade attack, explaining complex crimes and the weakness of alibi against positive identification.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Credibility of Testimony and Immateriality of Pregnancy
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, ruling that a victim's pregnancy does not negate rape and that court testimony prevails over affidavits.
Sweetheart Defense in Rape Cases: Why the Supreme Court Rejected It in People v. Dioquino
The Supreme Court affirms seven rape convictions, explaining why the sweetheart defense fails without corroborating evidence and how damages are computed.
Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Shifting Defenses: The Importance of Victim Testimony
Supreme Court affirms qualified rape conviction, ruling that credible victim testimony prevails over denial, ill motive claims, and pregnancy timing arguments.
Breach of Public Trust: Official Position Cannot Shield Criminal Acts
Philippine Supreme Court affirms conviction of municipal treasurer for graft and estafa, ruling public office cannot shield criminal acts.
Upholding Conviction In Drug Sale Ensuring Chain OF Custody IN Evidence Handling
A drug sale conviction reversed because broken chain of custody cast doubt on the identity of seized shabu.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Rape of a Person Deprived of Reason
The Supreme Court affirms the rape conviction of a man who sexually abused a mentally deficient minor, clarifying the distinction between "demented" and "deprived of reason" under the Revised Penal Co
Protecting the Vulnerable: Statutory Rape and the Evolution of Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms a conviction for statutory rape, clarifying how Philippine law protects minors and how penalties evolved under RA 8353.
Parental Authority and Rape: When Rubbing the Penis Is Not Consummated Rape
A father's conviction for rape is modified by the Supreme Court, which distinguishes sexual assault from consummated rape and attempted rape.
Upholding Convictions in Drug Cases: Balancing Evidence and Constitutional Rights
Learn how the Supreme Court balances evidence and constitutional rights in drug cases, and what this means for accused persons.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Credibility of Testimony and Indeterminate Sentence Law in Child Sexual Abuse Cases
Supreme Court affirms father's rape conviction, clarifies proper indeterminate penalty and damages in child sexual assault cases.