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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Robbery With Homicide: Proving Intent Through Res Gestae Evidence
How a spontaneous admission helped prove robbery with homicide, and why res gestae evidence matters in Philippine criminal cases.
Judge’s Negligence in Approving Fraudulent Bail Bond and Delaying Justice: Lessons from Tuliao v. Ramos
A Philippine judge was fined for approving a fake bail bond and delaying a homicide preliminary investigation. Learn the rules and takeaways.
Robbery With Homicide: When a Conspirator Is Liable for the Acts of Cohorts
The Supreme Court explains conspiracy in robbery with homicide, holding a lookout liable for the killing committed by a co-conspirator.
Homicide vs Robbery With Homicide: Key Distinctions in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains when a killing is simple homicide, not robbery with homicide, and why robbery must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Robbery vs Homicide: Key Differences and Legal Consequences in the Philippines
Understand how Philippine courts distinguish robbery with homicide from plain homicide, and why the distinction matters for penalties and convictions.
Circumstantial Evidence and Conspiracy in Rape-Homicide Cases: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
How Philippine courts use circumstantial evidence and conspiracy to convict in rape-homicide cases, explained through People v. Andal.
Robbery With Homicide and Conspiracy: What the Supreme Court Says
Explaining the special complex crime of robbery with homicide, conspiracy liability, and the rules on identification and confessions under Philippine law.
Homicide vs Murder: Key Differences Under Philippine Law
Understand the legal distinction between homicide and murder in the Philippines, explained through a Supreme Court ruling on treachery and evident premeditation.
Treachery and Qualifying Circumstances: Understanding Murder vs Homicide in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court explains why treachery must be alleged in the information to convict for murder, not just homicide.
Dying Declarations and Homicide: When a Victim's Last Words Can Convict
The Supreme Court explains when a dying declaration suffices to convict and why the accused was held for homicide, not murder.
Robbery With Homicide: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Philippine Law
A 1997 Supreme Court ruling explains how Philippine courts establish guilt for robbery with homicide and why alibi fails against positive identification.
Intent Matters Distinguishing Robbery With Homicide From Separate Crimes
A look at how Philippine courts determine intent in robbery with homicide cases, using a 1997 Supreme Court ruling as guide.
Criminal Conspiracy and Exempting Circumstances: Duress and Mental Capacity in Philippine Law
A look at how the Supreme Court defined conspiracy, duress, and imbecility defenses in a kidnapping and homicide case.
Self-Defense and Homicide: Understanding the Limits of Justifiable Force in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense applies in Philippine homicide cases, using the 1997 Maalat ruling as a guide.
Multiple Homicides vs Complex Crime: Understanding the Nuances of Philippine Criminal Law
When a single shooting spree kills four and wounds two, is it one complex crime or several separate crimes? The Supreme Court explains the distinction.
Eyewitness Identification AND Alibi Defense IN Philippine Robbery With Homicide Cases
Shared Guilt Establishing Conspiracy in Robbery With Homicide Under Philippine Law
When does a getaway accomplice become liable for murder? Philippine law on conspiracy in robbery with homicide explained through a Supreme Court ruling.
Unlicensed Firearm Possession and Homicide: Lessons from People v. Tobias
The Supreme Court explains when a firearm is considered unlicensed, and why a belatedly obtained license cannot cure illegal possession.
Passion Provocation and Criminal Liability: Understanding Homicide in the Philippines
When does anger mitigate a killing? The Supreme Court explains passion or obfuscation, treachery, and homicide in People v. Valles.
Amending Criminal Informations: When a Homicide Charge Can Be Upgraded to Murder
The Supreme Court explains when prosecutors may amend an information to upgrade homicide to murder after the accused has already pleaded not guilty.
Homicide vs. Murder: How Philippine Courts Read Criminal Intent in an Information
A Supreme Court ruling explains when amending an information from homicide to murder is only a formal change, not a violation of the accused's rights.
Robbery With Homicide: Understanding the Composite Crime in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that robbery with homicide is a single composite crime, regardless of how many people are killed.
Eyewitness Testimony in Philippine Courts: When Doubt Leads to Acquittal
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on eyewitness identification, hearsay confessions, and reasonable doubt in robbery-homicide cases.
When Judges Overstep in Preliminary Investigations: A Lesson from Depamaylo v. Brotarlo
A judge reduced murder to homicide to grant bail, ignored prosecution rights, and was fined P20,000 for misconduct.