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.
The Perils of Alibi: Positive Identification Overrides Defense in Robbery and Rape Case
In People v. Gayeta, the Supreme Court affirmed that positive identification by credible witnesses prevails over an alibi defense in robbery and rape convictions.
Treachery and Unlicensed Firearms Raise Murder Penalty in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how treachery and unlicensed firearms affect murder liability, penalties, and damages.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Moral Ascendancy and Victim Testimony in Qualified Rape Cases
Supreme Court affirms qualified rape conviction, explaining moral ascendancy, victim credibility, and why date discrepancies do not defeat the prosecution's case.
Arson and Double Jeopardy: When a Single Act Leads to Multiple Deaths
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether burning a house killing two victims is one complex crime or two separate murders.
Treachery and Accountability: Examining Guilt in the Santa Elena Murders
A look at how the Supreme Court affirmed murder and frustrated murder convictions, applying treachery rules in the Santa Elena killings.
Shared Intent Shared Liability Understanding Conspiracy in Philippine Criminal Law
Learn how conspiracy works in Philippine criminal law, when co-accused share liability, and what the Supreme Court says about proving a common design.
Treachery Defined: Ensuring Justice for Victims of Sudden Attacks Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies treachery in murder cases, affirming that attacking a defenseless victim who is grappling with another constitutes treachery.
Future Inheritance Contracts Are Void: Arrogante v. Deliarte Explained
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on void contracts over future inheritance, and the exceptions that can save family property arrangements.
Treachery Defined: The Element of Surprise in Criminal Law
The Supreme Court explains treachery as a sudden, unexpected attack, using a husband stabbing his sleeping wife as the defining example.
Rape and the Best Evidence Rule: Proving Minority in Statutory Rape Cases
A father convicted of qualified rape challenges the death penalty, claiming the victim's minority was not proven. The Supreme Court explains how a photocopied birth certificate can establish age.
Habeas Corpus as a Remedy for Excessive Penalties: Understanding Sentence Reclassification in the Philippines
When can habeas corpus challenge an excessive penalty? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of sentence reclassification under R.A. 8353.
Stepfather Convicted of Qualified Rape: Lessons from People v. Arsayo
A stepfather's rape of his 13-year-old stepdaughter yields a qualified rape conviction, reclusion perpetua, and key lessons on evidence and penalties.
Protecting Child Victims: Balancing Privacy and Public Access in Abuse Cases
The Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Cabalquinto protects child abuse victims' identities while affirming a father's rape conviction.
Protecting Child Rape Victims: The Supreme Court on Testimony and Credibility
A look at how Philippine courts treat the testimony of child rape victims and the rules on credibility in these sensitive cases.
Corporate Identity and Loan Obligations: Name Change Does Not Excuse Debt Payment
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether a corporate name change or bank identity affects loan obligations and surety liability.
Proof of Payment: Why Vouchers Aren't Receipts Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies why disbursement vouchers are not receipts and what actually proves payment in civil cases.
Battered Woman Syndrome as Defense and Mitigating Circumstance in Parricide
The Genosa ruling explains when battered woman syndrome can mitigate parricide, and why it is not a complete self-defense.
Conspiracy and Witness Credibility: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Rape Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a father's death sentence for qualified rape, clarifying how witness credibility and conspiracy establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Rape and Incest: Minor Testimony Inconsistencies Don't Undermine Conviction
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how minor inconsistencies in a rape victim's testimony don't weaken her credibility, and why minority must be proven.
Rape With a Deadly Weapon: Understanding Penalties and Aggravating Circumstances in Philippine Law
A guide to how Philippine courts treat rape with a deadly weapon, the penalties involved, and when aggravating circumstances apply.
Reforming Insurance Policies How Manifest Intent Prevails Over Technical Descriptions In Property Claims
A fire insurance dispute shows how courts prioritize the parties' true intent over technical misdescriptions in policies.
Serving Multiple Prison Terms in the Philippines: The Rule on Successive Sentences
Philippine law requires imprisonment terms for multiple offenses to be served successively, not simultaneously. Learn the rule under the Revised Penal Code.
Protecting Children: Understanding Qualified Rape and Parental Liability in the Philippines
The Supreme Court affirms the death penalty for a father who raped his daughter, clarifying qualified rape and accomplice liability.
Withdrawing a Criminal Appeal in the Philippines: Rights and Limits After Conviction
Can a convicted person withdraw a criminal appeal in the Philippines? People v. Redulosa explains the right, limits, and consequences.