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.
Circumstantial Evidence in Rape with Homicide: The Unbroken Chain of Guilt
The Supreme Court explains when circumstantial evidence suffices to convict in rape with homicide, and the penalties and damages that follow.
From Double Murder to Arson: How Intent Shapes Criminal Liability in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court explains when setting fire to a house is murder or arson, and why intent determines the crime.
Employer Liability for Employee Negligence: Proving Due Diligence in Philippine Law
When can an employer be held liable for an employee's negligence? The Supreme Court explains the due diligence defense in Philippine Hawk v. Lee.
Due Process, Jurisdiction, and Provisional Remedies in Philippine Criminal Law
A look at Villamor v. People on due process, jurisdiction, and provisional remedies in Philippine criminal procedure.
When Acquittal Extinguishes Civil Liability: Understanding Reckless Imprudence Cases
Learn how acquittal in reckless imprudence cases affects civil liability, based on Philippine Supreme Court rulings and key legal principles.
Rape Conviction Affirmed on Credibility of Testimony and Weak Defense of Alibi
Supreme Court affirms murder conviction, explaining why credible eyewitness testimony outweighs alibi and denial in Philippine criminal cases.
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.
Finality Prevails Withdrawing Appeal Bars Subsequent Modification of Judgment
Withdrawing an appeal makes a judgment final and executory. The Supreme Court explains why courts cannot later modify it.
Fire Damage Liability and Res Ipsa Loquitur in Philippine Lease Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on lessee liability for fire damage, res ipsa loquitur, and temperate damages in lease disputes.
Conspiracy and Treachery in Murder: Collective Intent Under Philippine Law
How Philippine courts infer conspiracy and treachery from concerted acts, and the damages rules in murder convictions.
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.
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.
Intent to Kill: Understanding the Nuances of Murder in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains how intent to kill and treachery are established in murder cases, using a fatal explosive bottle attack as the example.
Improvident Plea of Guilt in Philippine Rape Cases: Supreme Court Clarifies Safeguards
The Supreme Court explains when a guilty plea in capital cases is improvident and how convictions can still stand on independent evidence.
When Circumstantial Evidence Convicts: Lessons from a Philippine Rape-Homicide Case
The Supreme Court explains when circumstantial evidence is enough to convict, using a rape-homicide case as a guide.
Substantial Compliance vs Strict Procedure: Negligence and Liability in Fire Incidents
A fire spreads from one food stall to another—who pays? The Supreme Court clarifies negligence, fortuitous events, and procedural rules.
Railroad Negligence: Defining the Scope of Duty and Liability at Railroad Crossings
Philippine National Railways v. Brunty clarifies railroad crossing safety duties, contributory negligence, and damage awards under Philippine tort law.
Passport Loss Liability: Negligence and Damages in LBC Express v. Ado
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on carrier liability for lost passport, damages rules, and proof requirements in LBC Express v. Ado.
Reckless Imprudence and Damages in Vehicular Homicide: Key Rules from Nueva España
The Supreme Court clarifies reckless imprudence liability, proof of damages, and employer subsidiary liability in vehicular homicide cases.
When Eminent Domain Leads to Total Loss: Just Compensation for Uninhabitable Property
When government projects render private property uninhabitable, the taking is deemed complete and full just compensation is due.
The Weight of Eyewitness Testimony in Homicide Cases: People v. Reforma
Eyewitness identification prevails over denial in People v. Reforma, but qualifying circumstances must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Sudden Violence or Planned Attack: Homicide vs Murder in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a sudden, anger-fueled stabbing is homicide, not murder, because treachery was not proven.
Condominium Living Enforcing Brochure Promises and Addressing Building Defects
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on condominium buyers' rights, brochure promises as warranties, and remedies for building defects under PD 957.
Conspiracy in Murder: When Watching a Killing Makes You a Co-Conspirator
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how conspiracy in murder is proven—and why a live-in partner who watched the killing was held liable.