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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Corporate Identity Theft Protecting Your Brand Name Under Philippine Law
Learn how the Supreme Court protects corporate names from confusing similarity, and what businesses must prove to secure exclusive brand rights.
Breach of Trust: How a Messenger's Betrayal Led to Convictions for Carnapping and Qualified Theft
A messenger who vanished with his employer's money and motorcycle was convicted of carnapping and qualified theft. The Supreme Court explains why.
Breach of Trust When Messenger Becomes Thief: Qualified Theft and Carnapping in Philippine Law
A messenger who took his employer's cash and motorcycle faced both carnapping and qualified theft charges. The Supreme Court explains the distinction.
Vault Custodian's Judicial Admission Proves Qualified Theft in Gemmary Pawnshop Case
Supreme Court affirms qualified theft conviction of pawnshop vault custodian, ruling her judicial admission and breach of trust suffice for reclusion perpetua.
Tenants Rights VS Theft Resolving Land Disputes AND Criminal Charges
When a DARAB ruling declares someone a tenant, can they still be convicted of theft for harvesting crops? The Supreme Court clarifies.
Theft Charges and Double Jeopardy: Why the Right Charge Matters
A conviction for consummated theft was reduced to attempted theft because the information only charged frustrated theft. Learn why proper charges matter.
Intent to Gain in Theft: Proving Criminal Intent Beyond Reasonable Doubt
How Philippine courts establish intent to gain in theft cases, explained through the Supreme Court's ruling in Medina v. People.
Breach of Trust: Defining Qualified Theft in Philippine Employment Relationships
The Supreme Court clarifies when an employee's misappropriation is qualified theft, not estafa, and explains the penalty rules.
Theft or Mistake: Gauging Intent in Employee Dismissal Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when an employee's taking of company property constitutes theft justifying dismissal, and when it is merely a mistake.
Upholding Employers Right TO Discipline Dishonesty AS Just Cause FOR Termination
Supreme Court rules that a nurse’s theft of hospital supplies is just cause for dismissal, reaffirming management prerogative to discipline dishonest employees.
Theft vs. Estafa: When Employee Misappropriation Is Not Estafa (Benabaye Doctrine)
The Supreme Court in Benabaye v. People clarifies when an employee's misappropriation of funds is theft, not estafa, based on possession.
Breach of Trust Establishing Guilt in Qualified Theft Cases in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains how a cashier's breach of confidence proves qualified theft, affirming reclusion perpetua for P640,353.86 misappropriation.
Circumstantial Evidence in Theft Cases: When It Is Not Enough to Convict
The Supreme Court acquits a theft convict, explaining when circumstantial evidence fails to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Qualified Theft and Circumstantial Evidence: When Conviction Stands Without Direct Proof
The Supreme Court explains when circumstantial evidence suffices to convict for qualified theft, and how courts fix the value of stolen goods.
Mistake vs Malice: When Honest Error Defeats Theft Charges in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when honest mistake negates criminal intent in theft cases, acquitting a man who cut trees on the wrong property.
Probable Cause vs Ownership Claims in Theft Cases: People v. Yecyec
When can courts dismiss theft charges for lack of probable cause? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of judicial review in People v. Yecyec.
Theft and Dishonesty in Public Service: Consequences for Retirement Benefits and Re-Employment
Supreme Court rules on theft, dishonesty in public service, and how retirement does not erase administrative liability or preserve benefits.
Moonlighting Misconduct Supreme Court Upholds Ethical Standards FOR Judiciary Employees
The Supreme Court affirms strict ethical standards for judiciary employees, ruling on theft, dishonesty, and gross neglect of duty.
When Killing Is Not Robbery: Proving Intent in Robbery with Homicide
The Supreme Court clarifies when a killing with theft is homicide, not robbery with homicide, focusing on criminal intent.
Breach OF Trust Establishing Conspiracy IN Qualified Theft Among Government Employees
Breach of Trust Establishing Conspiracy in Qualified Theft Cases in the Philippines
How a cashier's breach of trust led to 30 counts of qualified theft, and what the Supreme Court ruled on penalties.
Breach of Trust: Defining the Boundaries of Qualified Theft in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies the elements of qualified theft and the proper penalty, emphasizing grave abuse of confidence in a cashier's pilferage case.
PLDT Network Integrity: Defining Theft in Telecommunications Fraud
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether ISR network fraud constitutes theft under the Revised Penal Code, and search warrant standards.
Misconduct and Separation Pay: When Is an Employee Entitled to Separation Pay
The Supreme Court clarifies when a dismissed employee may still receive separation pay, and why theft bars such an award.