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 of a Child with Intellectual Disability: When Knowledge of the Victim's Condition Matters
The Supreme Court clarifies when the prosecution must prove an accused knew the victim had an intellectual disability in qualified rape cases.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Upholding Justice for Victims of Parental Rape
Philippine Supreme Court affirms conviction for qualified rape committed by a father against his minor daughter, emphasizing the law's protection for vulnerable victims.
Protecting Children in Qualified Rape: When a Young Witness Takes the Stand
In People v. Balonzo, the Supreme Court affirmed a father's conviction for qualified rape, showing how courts weigh a child victim's testimony and proof of age.
Qualified Rape Conviction Upheld: Court Affirms Guilt Despite Minor Witness Inconsistencies
Supreme Court affirms qualified rape conviction, ruling minor inconsistencies in a child witness's testimony do not create reasonable doubt.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Intimidation and Consent in Familial Abuse Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how intimidation works in rape cases involving family members, upholding a brother-in-law's conviction for two counts of qualified rape.
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.
Rape Conviction Based on Circumstantial Evidence Protecting Victims of Unconscious Assault
Philippine Supreme Court affirms qualified rape conviction, ruling that a sleeping victim's testimony and medical evidence suffice to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Understanding Qualified Rape and the Effect of RA 9346 on Death Penalty Cases
A Supreme Court ruling on incestuous rape clarifies qualified rape elements, victim credibility standards, and how RA 9346 converts death sentences to reclusion perpetua.
Death Penalty Abolition Impact on Penalties for Attempted Crimes in the Philippines
How R.A. 9346 changed penalties for attempted qualified rape—explained through People v. Bon, including the reclusion temporal ruling.
Witness Credibility in Qualified Rape Cases: Lessons from People v. Gloria
How Philippine courts weigh a child victim's testimony in qualified rape cases, and why credibility often decides the outcome.
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.
Breach of Parental Trust: Rape of a Minor and the Abolition of the Death Penalty
The Supreme Court affirms a father's qualified rape conviction but reduces the death penalty to reclusion perpetua under R.A. 9346.
Rape by a Parent: When Sexual Abuse Severs the Bonds of Trust
The Supreme Court affirms the death penalty for a father who raped his 11-year-old daughter, ruling on qualified rape and guilty pleas.
Rape and the Shadow of a Bolo: Establishing Intimidation as Qualified Rape
The Supreme Court explains when a bolo turns rape into a qualified offense, and why the death penalty was reduced to reclusion perpetua.
Age and Relationship as Essential Proofs for Qualified Rape Conviction in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains why minority and relationship must be both alleged and proven before the death penalty for qualified rape can be imposed.
Incestuous Rape in the Philippines: Proving Age and Relationship to Justify the Death Penalty
In People v. Ibarrientos, the Supreme Court explains what evidence is needed to convict for qualified rape and when the death penalty may be imposed.
Guilty Plea Grave Error Safeguarding Justice In Qualified Rape Cases
The Supreme Court ruled that a guilty plea in qualified rape cases must be meticulously examined to prevent grave miscarriages of justice.
Protecting Minors When a Stepfather's Relationship Qualifies as Rape
The Supreme Court explains when a stepparent's rape of a minor is simple rape or qualified rape and why the indictment must allege the qualifying relationship.
Rape Conviction and the Importance of Properly Alleging Relationship in Qualified Rape Cases
A Supreme Court ruling shows why the death penalty cannot rest on a victim's age or kinship with the offender unless both are alleged in the Information.
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.
Witness Credibility and Alibi Defense: How the Supreme Court Affirmed a Rape Conviction
The Supreme Court affirms a qualified rape conviction, explaining why a child victim's credible testimony outweighs the defense of denial and alibi.
THE Perils OF Hearsay Protecting THE Accused IN Qualified Rape Cases
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.
Proving Minority in Qualified Rape Cases: The Ochea Standard
In People v. Ochea, the Supreme Court ruled that failure to prove the victim's minority bars conviction for qualified rape and the death penalty.