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 Minor Inconsistencies DO NOT Negate A Victims Testimony
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, ruling minor inconsistencies in a victim's testimony do not destroy credibility. Learn the key rules.
Circumstantial Evidence and the Web of Guilt: Establishing Criminal Liability Beyond Reasonable Doubt
The Supreme Court clarifies how circumstantial evidence can establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt in criminal cases, using a rape conviction as an example.
Circumstantial Evidence Establishing Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt IN Murder Cases 2
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction based on circumstantial evidence, explaining how guilt beyond reasonable doubt can be established without direct eyewitness testimony.
Incestuous Rape Proving Minority Of The Victim For Imposition Of Death Penalty
The Supreme Court clarifies rules on proving victim's minority in incestuous rape cases for the death penalty.
Rape Conviction and the Burden of Proving the Victim's Minority for the Death Penalty
A father's rape conviction affirmed but death penalty reduced to reclusion perpetua because the prosecution failed to prove the victim's minority with independent evidence.
Rape and Due Process: Fair Trial Rights in Philippine Rape Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies how trial judges may question witnesses in rape cases without violating the accused's right to a fair trial.
Unreliable Testimony and Acquittal in Rape Cases: Examining Standards of Proof
Explore how Philippine courts assess witness credibility in rape cases, distinguishing unreliable testimony from proof beyond reasonable doubt.
Competency of Witnesses: Testimony of Persons with Mental Retardation in Rape Cases
The Supreme Court affirms that a person with mental retardation can be a competent witness in rape cases if able to perceive and relate facts.
THE Perils OF Hearsay Protecting THE Accused IN Qualified Rape Cases
Presumption of Innocence and Proof Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Rape Cases
The Supreme Court acquits a father of four rape counts, ruling that vague testimony and medical findings alone cannot overcome the presumption of innocence.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Positive Identification and Use of Deadly Weapon Establish Guilt Beyond Reasonable Dou
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, ruling that the victim's positive identification and the use of a knife prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Rape and the Absence of Consent: Force and Intimidation in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies statutory rape and sexual assault elements, emphasizing that force is presumed when the victim is under 12.
Moral Ascendancy IN Rape Cases THE Duty TO Protect THE Vulnerable
Incestuous Rape: Broad Complaint Dates and Victim Credibility in Philippine Criminal Law
The Supreme Court affirms an incestuous rape conviction, ruling that inexact complaint dates are allowed and a young victim's credible testimony suffices.
Confessions AND Corroboration Ensuring Justice IN Rape With Homicide Cases
Parental Authority and Child Abuse: Defining the Limits of Incestuous Rape
In incestuous rape cases, the victim's minority and relationship to the offender must be proven beyond reasonable doubt for the death penalty to apply.
Betrayal of Trust: Rethinking Penalties for a Father's Rape of His Daughter
Supreme Court ruling on father raping daughter highlights proof requirements for death penalty in qualified rape cases.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Positive Identification and Medical Evidence Overcome Alibi Defense
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on victim's credible testimony and medical findings, but reduces death penalty to reclusion perpetua for unproven minority.
Rape Information Defects and Statutory Rape Convictions in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on defective rape informations, statutory rape elements, and penalties for common-law stepfathers.
Credibility in Rape Cases: Overcoming Delay with Fear and Intimidation
How Philippine courts treat delayed reporting in rape cases when threats of violence and death explain the victim's silence.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Positive Identification Prevails Over Alibi
Philippine Supreme Court affirms robbery-with-rape conviction, ruling that victims' positive identification outweighs alibi and that unconscious rape still constitutes the crime.
Force, Theft, and Rape: How the Supreme Court Weighs Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
In a 2003 rape case, the Supreme Court acquitted two men after finding the complainant's testimony riddled with inconsistencies. Here is what the ruling teaches.
Credibility in Rape Cases: Scrutinizing Complainant Testimony for Conviction
How Philippine courts weigh complainant credibility in rape cases, and why positive identification prevails over alibi and doubts about illumination.
Unlawful Confessions and the Acquittal in a Robbery with Rape Case
The Supreme Court acquitted two men convicted of robbery with rape after finding the extrajudicial confession inadmissible and the identification of the accused uncertain.