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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Rape Conviction Affirmed: Credibility, Alibi, and Qualifying Circumstances
The Supreme Court affirms a stepfather's rape conviction, explaining why a child victim's credible testimony outweighs alibi and why unalleged qualifying circumstances reduce the penalty.
Incestuous Rape as a Qualifying Circumstance and the Admissibility of the Victim's Testimony
The Supreme Court affirms a father's rape conviction, explaining why a victim's delayed report and testimony remain credible in incestuous rape cases.
Parental Moral Ascendancy IN Rape Cases Proving THE Qualifying Circumstance
Treachery and the Element of Surprise: Establishing Murder and Frustrated Murder in Philippine Law
How sudden, unexpected attacks establish treachery, qualifying killings as murder and frustrated murder under Philippine law.
Child Witness Testimony and Statutory Rape: Competency in Philippine Courts
How Philippine courts assess a minor rape victim's testimony, and why proper plea inquiry and qualifying circumstances matter in capital cases.
Treachery and Self-Defense: Examining the Boundaries in a Homicide Case
A Supreme Court ruling in a 1995 stabbing case clarifies how Philippine courts evaluate self-defense claims and the qualifying circumstance of treachery.
Treachery and Intent: Defining the Boundaries of Murder and Homicide in the Philippines
A look at how Philippine courts distinguish murder from homicide through treachery, intent, and qualifying circumstances in criminal cases.
The Weight of Eyewitness Testimony in Homicide Cases: People v. Reforma
Eyewitness identification prevails over denial in People v. Reforma, but qualifying circumstances must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Statutory Rape Conviction and the Strict Reading of Qualifying Circumstances in Informations
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that qualifying circumstances like step-parentage must be precisely alleged in the information to justify the death penalty.
Incestuous Rape Credibility of Testimony and Establishing the Qualifying Circumstance
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on statutory rape, credibility of a child victim's testimony, and the need to prove qualifying circumstances for the death penalty.
Rape Shield Under Scrutiny: Credibility in Sexual Assault Cases
A Supreme Court ruling on simple rape clarifies credibility standards, qualifying circumstances, and damages in sexual assault cases.
Reasonable Doubt and Physical Evidence: When Witness Testimony Prevails in Murder Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how credible witness testimony outweighs an accused's claim of accident, and when treachery fails as a qualifying circumstance.
Rape Conviction Hinges on Proof of Relationship: The Evidentiary Standard for Aggravating Circumstances
The Supreme Court clarifies that qualifying circumstances like relationship in rape cases require strict documentary proof before the death penalty may be imposed.
Protecting Minors When a Stepfather's Relationship Qualifies as Rape
The Supreme Court explains when a stepparent's rape of a minor is simple rape or qualified rape and why the indictment must allege the qualifying relationship.
Rape Conviction and the Age of the Victim: Evidentiary Standards in Philippine Law
Philippine courts require proof beyond reasonable doubt of the victim's age in rape cases, especially when qualifying circumstances like minority are alleged.
Parental Betrayal and Rape: When a Stepfather's Crime Redefines Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies statutory rape, qualifying circumstances, and why a stepfather's conviction for simple rape, not death, underscores due process.
Rape and Credibility: How Inconsistencies in Victim Testimony Are Weighed
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how courts assess victim credibility, force, intimidation, and qualifying circumstances in rape cases.
Credibility of Testimony in Rape Cases: The Importance of Consistent and Believable Evidence
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on witness credibility, force, intimidation, and proof of qualifying circumstances in rape cases.
When Technicalities Matter: Qualifying Circumstances Must Be Pleaded in the Information
The Supreme Court clarifies that qualifying circumstances like victim's minority must be alleged in the information to warrant the death penalty.
Redefining THE Bounds OF Qualifying Circumstances THE Supreme Court ON Pleading Requirements IN Rape Cases
Treachery in Philippine Law: When a Sudden Attack Becomes Murder
The Supreme Court explains how a sudden, unexpected attack from behind constitutes treachery, qualifying a killing as murder under Philippine law.
From Murder to Homicide: When Qualifying Circumstances Fail in Conspiracy Cases
Supreme Court explains when conspiracy stands but treachery and abuse of superior strength fail, reducing murder to homicide.
Treachery Defined: How Sudden Attacks Qualify as Murder Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains treachery in murder cases—when a sudden, unexpected attack qualifies as a qualifying circumstance under Philippine law.
Treachery Defined When A Coordinated Attack Removes The Chance Of Self Defense
The Supreme Court explains how holding a victim's wrists while another stabs constitutes treachery, qualifying killing to murder.