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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Treachery and Witness Credibility: Proving Murder Beyond Reasonable Doubt
How the Supreme Court weighed witness credibility, treachery, and circumstantial evidence in affirming a murder conviction with modifications.
Treachery and Defense of Property: When Is Deadly Force Justified
The Supreme Court explains when killing a fleeing thief is murder, not justified defense of property, and what makes surrender voluntary.
Eyewitness Testimony of a Child Upholds Double Murder Conviction
The Supreme Court affirms a double murder conviction based on a five-year-old eyewitness's clear and positive identification of the accused.
Justice for the Silenced: How Witness Testimony Overcame Trauma in a Murder Conviction
The Supreme Court affirms a murder conviction based on a child eyewitness's testimony, ruling that credible witness accounts prevail over a weak alibi.
Treachery in Criminal Law: Defining Sudden and Unexpected Attacks in Murder Cases
In People v. Cabande, the Supreme Court explains how treachery qualifies a killing as murder and why a sudden attack leaves victims unable to defend themselves.
Self Defense Claim Fails Establishing Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt IN Murder Cases
Examining the Supreme Court's ruling on self-defense claims in murder cases, and the burden of proof required to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Treachery in Concerted Attacks: Establishing Liability in Group Violence
How Philippine courts determine criminal liability when multiple persons attack a victim, using the Alberto Blanco murder case as a guide.
Positive Identification Prevails Over Alibi in Murder Conviction
Supreme Court affirms murder conviction where eyewitness positively identified the accused, rejecting alibi and denial defenses. Learn the legal rules.
Upholding Witness Testimony Positive Identification Over Alibi IN Murder Conviction
Treachery and Conspiracy in Philippine Murder Law: The Ricafranca Case on Unlicensed Firearms
The Supreme Court clarifies treachery, conspiracy, and the effect of R.A. 8294 on murder committed with unlicensed firearms.
Conspiracy and Treachery in a Chicken Theft Murder: Lessons from People v. Barona
When does a killing become murder? The Supreme Court explains conspiracy and treachery in a fatal chicken theft case.
Gunpowder Residue and Witness Credibility: Evaluating Evidence in Philippine Murder Cases
How Philippine courts weigh witness credibility, conspiracy, and treachery in murder convictions, explained through a 2000 Supreme Court ruling.
Dying Declarations and Extrajudicial Confessions in Philippine Murder Cases
The Supreme Court explains when dying declarations are admissible and when extrajudicial confessions are not in murder prosecutions.
Eyewitness Identification Prevails Over Alibi in Philippine Murder Convictions
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on eyewitness identification versus alibi in murder cases, explaining standards for credibility and positive identification.
When Silence Isnt Enough Understanding Conspiracy AND Liability IN Murder Cases
When is a bystander guilty of murder? The Supreme Court explains conspiracy and liability in People v. Orbita.
Accomplice vs Principal in Murder Cases: Key Distinctions Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a person is a principal rather than an accomplice in murder, and how complex crimes apply to multiple shootings.
Treachery in Criminal Law: When an Unexpected Attack Qualifies as Murder
Explore when treachery elevates a killing to murder under Philippine law, and why courts demand clear proof before appreciating it.
When Excessive Force Destroys a Self-Defense Claim in Philippine Homicide Cases
The Supreme Court explains why 16 stab wounds negate self-defense and how excessive force turns a killing into homicide, not murder.
Conspiracy and Treachery in Murder: Collective Criminal Liability Explained
How the Supreme Court applied conspiracy and treachery to hold all participants equally liable for murder, even without each inflicting the fatal blow.
Homicide or Murder: Decoding Treachery and Premeditation in Philippine Criminal Law
The Supreme Court explains when treachery and evident premeditation qualify a killing as murder, and when the crime remains homicide.
Conspiracy in Philippine Murder Cases When Actions Speak Louder Than Words
A look at the 1999 Supreme Court ruling in People v. More, which clarifies how conspiracy and self-defense are weighed in murder cases.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails: Why Witness Credibility Is Key in Philippine Murder Cases
A look at how Philippine courts weigh witness credibility in criminal cases, using the incestuous rape ruling in People v. Sevilla as a guide.
How Eyewitness Credibility Decides Murder Cases in Philippine Courts
A 1999 Supreme Court ruling shows how credible eyewitness testimony outweighs alibi and denial in Philippine murder convictions.
Eyewitness Testimony vs Alibi: How Philippine Courts Decide Murder Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on eyewitness identification versus alibi in murder cases, explaining why credible witnesses prevail over alibi defenses.