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.
Rape and Intimidation: Establishing Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Stepdaughter Abuse Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a stepfather's rape conviction, explaining how intimidation and threats can establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Rape of a Mentally Retarded Person and the Weight of Eyewitness Testimony
The Supreme Court affirms rape conviction where a mentally retarded victim was sexually assaulted, relying on eyewitness testimony and medical evidence.
Disproving Forgery: Standards for Signature Comparison in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies standards for comparing signatures to prove forgery, emphasizing timing, genuine specimens, and burden of proof.
When Alibi Falls Short: The Weight of Credible Eyewitness Testimony in Philippine Criminal Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a homicide conviction based on a single eyewitness's credible testimony, explaining why alibi failed.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: When a Public Facebook Post Leads to a Higher Penalty
The Supreme Court clarifies how social media posts can prove psychological abuse under RA 9262 and why using Facebook raises the penalty.
Deposition Deadlines in Corporate Disputes: What Philippine Computer Solutions v. Manzo Teaches
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies deposition deadlines in intra-corporate disputes and why interlocutory orders must be raised on appeal.
Treachery Defined: The Element of Surprise in Criminal Law
The Supreme Court explains treachery as a sudden, unexpected attack, using a husband stabbing his sleeping wife as the defining example.
Contempt of Court and Lawyer Accountability: The Roxas Case
A lawyer's intemperate letter to a Supreme Court Justice led to a P30,000 fine for indirect contempt and a reminder of professional ethics.
Prejudicial Question in Philippine Courts: When Civil Cases Suspend Criminal Proceedings
Learn when Philippine courts suspend criminal cases due to prejudicial questions, and why appeal, not certiorari, is the proper remedy.
Military Pension and Citizenship: The Parreño Ruling on PD 1638
Retired AFP officers who lose Filipino citizenship can have their pensions terminated under PD 1638, as upheld in Parreño v. COA.
The Perils of Procedural Missteps: Navigating Appeal Deadlines in Philippine Courts
Victory Liner v. Malinias shows how procedural errors, not the merits, can doom a case. Learn the rules on appeals, relief, and certiorari.
Treachery and Witness Credibility in Philippine Murder Convictions
How credible eyewitness testimony and treachery shape murder convictions in the Philippines, with lessons from People v. Dulanas.
Establishing Filiation: How Informal Writings Can Prove Paternity in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how handwritten letters can establish paternity and filiation of illegitimate children under the Family Code.
Law Students as Agents in Inferior Courts: The Cruz v. Mina Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies when a law student may appear in inferior courts without lawyer supervision, and the civil aspect of grave threats.
Attorney Negligence and the Limits of Relief from Judgment in Philippine Courts
When a lawyer's mistake costs a client the case, relief from judgment is not always available. This decision explains the limits.
Judicial Integrity: Misappropriation of Court Funds Leads to Dismissal and Restitution
Supreme Court dismisses two court clerks for misappropriating over P4 million in judiciary funds, ordering joint restitution and forfeiture of benefits.
Credibility of Child Witness Testimony in Rape Cases: Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on credible child witness testimony, explaining delay in reporting and denial defenses.
Private Parties and Conspiracy Under Section 3(g) of RA 3019 Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies that private individuals may be charged with Section 3(g) of the Anti-Graft Law when conspiring with public officers.
Bare Denials Cannot Overcome Positive Testimony in Buy-Bust Drug Convictions
Explore how the Supreme Court affirmed drug convictions despite denials, emphasizing the weight of positive police testimony in buy-bust operations.
Electoral Tribunals Exclusive Jurisdiction Challenging Congressional Elections After Proclamation
The Supreme Court clarifies the boundary between COMELEC's jurisdiction over election annulment and the exclusive authority of electoral tribunals over election contests.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Consent, Intimidation, and Victim Credibility in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, explaining how intimidation, victim credibility, and medical evidence establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Sudden Attacks and Defenseless Victims
The Supreme Court explains treachery in murder cases—sudden, unexpected attacks on defenseless victims qualify killings as murder, not homicide.
Final Judgment IS Final: Understanding Forum Shopping AND Res Judicata IN Philippine Courts
The Supreme Court clarifies when a final DAR order becomes immutable and why Rule 47 annulment cannot replace a timely appeal.
Missed Your Appeal Understanding Finality of Judgments in Philippine Courts
A missed appeal deadline means final judgment. Learn how Philippine courts treat late appeals and why co-accused appeals don't help.