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.

Showing 4972 of 92 articles for defenses

When Silence Isnt Golden Understanding Treachery In Philippine Law

The Supreme Court explains treachery in murder cases through People v. Moriles, clarifying sudden attacks, alibi defenses, and penalties.

Dying Declarations AS Evidence Establishing Guilt IN Murder Cases

The Supreme Court clarifies when dying declarations can establish guilt in murder cases, and the strict standards for insanity defenses in Philippine criminal law.

Drug Sales and Entrapment: Court Upholds Buy-Bust Conviction in Shabu Case

Supreme Court affirms conviction in buy-bust drug operation, clarifying rules on entrapment, buy-bust money, and frame-up defenses in Philippine drug cases.

Good Faith No Defense: Falsifying PDS Justifies Dismissal of Court Employee

The Supreme Court rules that a court employee's false PDS entry warrants dismissal for dishonesty and falsification, rejecting good faith defenses.

Retraction vs Truth: Evaluating Testimony in Philippine Rape Cases

How Philippine courts weigh a rape victim's testimony against retraction and alibi defenses, explained through a landmark child rape case.

Buy-Bust Operations and Proving Illegal Drug Sales Beyond Reasonable Doubt

The Supreme Court explains how prosecution can prove illegal drug sales beyond reasonable doubt in buy-bust operations, and why frame-up defenses often fail.

Father's Betrayal: Upholding Conviction for Robbery with Homicide on Credible Eyewitness Testimony

Supreme Court affirms robbery with homicide conviction, ruling credible eyewitness testimony prevails over denial and alibi defenses.

Positive Identification and Treachery: Upholding Murder Conviction Despite Alibi

Philippine Supreme Court affirms murder conviction based on positive eyewitness identification, rejecting alibi and denial defenses in stabbing case.

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.

Voice Recognition as Evidence: Identifying a Masked Rapist Beyond Visual Confirmation

Philippine Supreme Court ruling on voice identification as sufficient evidence to convict a masked rapist, explaining witness credibility and alibi defenses.

Buy-Bust Operations and Warrantless Searches: Safeguarding Rights in Drug Cases

The Supreme Court explains when warrantless searches are valid in buy-bust operations and how courts weigh police testimony against frame-up defenses.

Streamlining Legal Battles Understanding Preliminary Hearings FOR Affirmative Defenses IN Philippine Courts

The Supreme Court clarifies when preliminary hearings on affirmative defenses may be conducted, streamlining litigation and promoting judicial efficiency in Philippine courts.

Upholding Contractual Obligations: The Imperative of Timely Performance in Compromise Agreements

A Supreme Court ruling on continuing suretyship, assignment of credit, and trust receipts—clarifying that debtors cannot escape liability through technical defenses.

Positive Identification Prevails Over Alibi in Philippine Rape Cases

Philippine Supreme Court ruling on rape cases: positive identification by victims outweighs denial and alibi defenses.

Buy-Bust Operations and the Defense of Frame-Up: Lessons from People v. Ganenas

The Supreme Court affirms a drug conviction from a buy-bust operation, explaining why frame-up defenses fail and how courts weigh police testimony.

Robbery With Homicide Conviction Upheld: Positive Identification Beats Alibi

Supreme Court affirms robbery with homicide conviction, ruling positive eyewitness identification prevails over alibi and denial defenses.

Positive Identification Over Alibi: The Weight of Eyewitness Testimony in Murder Convictions

How the Supreme Court upheld a murder conviction based on eyewitness identification, rejecting the defenses of alibi and alleged due process violations.

Witness Credibility and Positive Identification in Murder Cases: The Cachola Case

Learn how Philippine courts weigh witness credibility, positive identification, and alibi defenses in murder cases through the Cachola ruling.

Liability of Public Officials, Good Faith, and the Limits of Supervisory Responsibility in Philippine Law

Philippine jurisprudence on public official liability, good faith defenses, and the boundaries of supervisory responsibility explained for lay readers.

Breach of Trust Convicting Stepfathers in Rape Cases Despite Sweetheart Defenses

How Philippine courts reject the "sweetheart theory" in stepfather rape cases, uphold child victim credibility, and apply the death penalty.

Reexamining Eyewitness Testimony and Guilt in Philippine Rape-Homicide Cases

The Supreme Court affirms a rape-homicide conviction, explaining how minor inconsistencies in eyewitness testimony and alibi defenses are weighed.

Reasonable Doubt Prevails Over Frame-Up Defenses in Philippine Drug Cases

How Philippine courts weigh prosecution evidence against frame-up and denial defenses in drug cases, and why reasonable doubt must prevail.

Summary Judgment vs Trial: When Philippine Courts Can Decide Without Full Trial

Philippine courts can render summary judgment without full trial when defenses are sham or fictitious. Narra v. CA explains the rule.

Bouncing Checks: Understanding Liability and Penalties Under Philippine Law

Learn how the Supreme Court interprets BP 22 bouncing checks law, including liability, penalties, and defenses in the Philippines.