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.
Cyber-Enabled Robbery in the Philippines: How RA 10175 Raises Penalties for Digital Extortion
Learn how the Supreme Court applies the Cybercrime Prevention Act to robbery committed through digital means, and why penalties are one degree higher.
Possession of Fake Currency in the Philippines: Knowledge and Intent Under Article 168
Philippine law punishes possession of counterfeit currency only when knowledge and intent to use are proven. The Supreme Court clarifies this in a recent ruling.
Serious Illegal Detention of Minors: What Philippine Law Says
Serious illegal detention of a minor is a grave crime in the Philippines. Learn the elements, penalties, and key lessons from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Understanding Rape Conviction in the Philippines: Consent Evidence and the Role of Co-Conspirators
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies rape conviction standards, consent evidence rules, and co-conspirator liability in criminal cases.
Accomplice Liability in Direct Bribery: The Gerunda Case Explained
Learn how the Supreme Court defined accomplice liability in direct bribery cases, using the Gerunda ruling to explain key legal principles.
Economic Abuse Under RA 9262: Intent Matters in Denial of Financial Support Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that willful intent to cause anguish, not mere financial hardship, is required for economic abuse convictions under RA 9262.
Double Jeopardy in the Philippines: When an Acquittal Becomes Final
Philippine law protects acquitted persons from retrial through double jeopardy. Learn the rule, its narrow exceptions, and key case law.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: A Broken Link Leads to Acquittal
When police skip the required on-site inventory without justification, the chain of custody breaks and drug convictions may be overturned.
Robbery by Extortion: When Law Enforcement Crosses the Line
Police officers who demand money to drop charges commit robbery by extortion. The Supreme Court explains why.
Illegal Recruitment and Estafa: When Overseas Job Promises Turn Into Crimes
The Supreme Court clarifies when fake overseas job offers constitute illegal recruitment and estafa, and explains the penalties under Philippine law.
Hot Pursuit Arrests: When Is a Warrant Required in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains the limits of warrantless hot pursuit arrests and the chain of custody rule for seized drugs.
Direct Assault vs Resistance: Understanding the Nuances in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when physical force against police officers amounts to direct assault or only resistance and disobedience under Philippine law.
Discernment in Juvenile Justice: Key Lessons from CICL XXX vs. People
Understand how Philippine courts determine a minor's discernment and criminal liability, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in CICL XXX vs. People.
Concubinage Beyond the Conjugal Home: What the Supreme Court Ruled
The Supreme Court clarifies that cohabitation in any place, not just the conjugal home, can constitute concubinage under Philippine law.
Probable Cause vs Due Process: Navigating Preliminary Investigations in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between probable cause and due process in preliminary investigations, affirming a direct bribery conviction.
Child Abuse and Sexual Assault: Understanding Philippine Law and Protecting Children
The Supreme Court clarifies how Philippine law punishes child abuse and sexual assault, including key rules on evidence and penalties.
Libel in the Philippines: When Posting a Complaint Becomes a Crime
The Supreme Court clarifies the elements of libel, including publication and malice, in a case involving posted criminal complaints.
Prejudicial Question in the Philippines: Suspension, Not Dismissal, of Criminal Cases
A prejudicial question suspends, not dismisses, a criminal case. Learn the rule from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Omission of Drug Quantity in Information: Can Conviction Still Stand?
The Supreme Court clarifies when an Information's failure to state drug quantity affects conviction and penalty in drug cases.
When Social Media Posts Become Psychological Abuse: Lessons from a Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
A recent Supreme Court ruling shows how Facebook posts can constitute psychological abuse under RA 9262, with heavier penalties for ICT use.
Circumstantial Evidence in Philippine Criminal Cases: Proving Guilt Without Eyewitnesses
How Philippine courts use circumstantial evidence to convict in murder and arson cases, explained through the Camarse ruling.
Money Laundering Prosecution Can Proceed Independently of Unlawful Activity Requires Proof Beyond Reasonable D
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that money laundering cases may proceed independently of predicate crimes, but the unlawful activity's elements must still be proven.
Attempted Trafficking in Persons: When Simulating a Birth and Taking Custody of a Child Leads to Conviction
The Supreme Court explains when simulating a birth and acquiring custody of a child constitutes attempted trafficking in persons under Philippine law.
Accountability for False Promises: Illegal Recruitment and Estafa Conviction Analyzed
The Supreme Court affirms conviction for illegal recruitment in large scale and estafa, clarifying liability for false promises of overseas employment.