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.
Rape Conviction Modified: When Qualifying Circumstances Must Be Alleged
The Supreme Court modifies a rape conviction, acquitting the accused on three counts for insufficient evidence and ruling on the necessity of alleging qualifying circumstances.
Mental Capacity and Rape in Philippine Law: The Hamto Case
How Philippine courts treat mentally retarded rape victims' testimony, and why mental age matters in proving rape.
Treachery Defined: Justice for Victims Attacked While Defenseless
The Supreme Court explains treachery in murder cases, ruling that attacking a sleeping victim qualifies, ensuring justice for defenseless victims.
Incestuous Rape Conviction Affirmed But Death Penalty Reduced for Lack of Age Proof
SC affirms incestuous rape conviction but reduces death penalty to reclusion perpetua where victim's minority was alleged but not proven.
Vindication and Unlicensed Firearms: When Personal Offense Mitigates Murder
The Supreme Court clarifies how a grave personal offense can mitigate murder and how unlicensed firearms affect sentencing.
Incestuous Rape: Upholding the Sanctity of Filial Trust and the Severity of Betrayal
The Supreme Court affirms the conviction of a father for four counts of rape against his daughter, underscoring the gravity of incestuous abuse.
Treachery and Conspiracy in Group Violence: Robbery With Homicide Liability
How Philippine courts establish liability for robbery with homicide in group attacks, explained through a landmark Supreme Court case.
Robbery With Homicide Conviction Upheld: Positive Identification Beats Alibi
Supreme Court affirms robbery with homicide conviction, ruling positive eyewitness identification prevails over alibi and denial defenses.
Liability in Highway Robbery: Conspiracy and Identifying Perpetrators
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on conspiracy in highway robbery, eyewitness identification, and liability of accused under PD 532.
Date Discrepancies and Fair Notice in Rape Cases: Protecting the Accused's Rights
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how vague dates in rape informations violate the accused's constitutional right to fair notice and defense.
Conspiracy and Credibility: Examining Witness Testimony in Philippine Murder Cases
How the Supreme Court weighed positive identification, delayed reporting, and conspiracy in affirming murder convictions.
Credible Testimony in Rape Cases: Lessons from People v. Buenaflor
The Supreme Court acquitted a rape accused due to inconsistent, improbable testimony. Credibility is key.
Judicial Misconduct: Upholding Honesty and Efficiency in the Philippine Judiciary
A judge's delay in deciding cases and dishonesty in JBC forms led to suspension and fine, reinforcing judicial accountability.
Breach of Trust: The Supreme Court's Stance on Incestuous Rape and Parental Authority
A stepfather's rape conviction upheld, but death penalty reduced to reclusion perpetua for failure to prove minority and relationship.
Eyewitness Testimony and Treachery in Philippine Murder Cases: People v. Bacus
How a single credible eyewitness can prove murder and treachery in the Philippines, explained through People v. Bacus.
Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies: Agency Prerogative and Orderly Legal Process
Explore how the Supreme Court upheld SEC disclosure rules for listed banks, clarifying the doctrine of exhaustion of administrative remedies.
Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies and SEC Jurisdiction Over Listed Banks
Supreme Court clarifies that listed banks must comply with SEC disclosure rules despite BSP supervision, explaining agency jurisdiction and administrative remedies.
Reasonable Bail Balancing Constitutional Rights AND Flight Risk IN Estafa Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on reasonable bail pending appeal in estafa cases, balancing constitutional rights against flight risk.
Upholding Timeliness and Proper Verification in Labor Disputes: The Pfizer Case
The Supreme Court clarifies the 60-day rule for certiorari petitions and the standards for verification in labor cases.
When Silence Isn't Golden: Criminal Conspiracy and the Duty to Disclose Knowledge of a Crime
The Supreme Court clarifies when silence about a crime becomes criminal conspiracy, and the limits of the duty to report.
Rape Conviction Overturned: The Critical Need for Explicitly Stating Aggravating Circumstances in Criminal Inf
Why the Supreme Court reduced a death sentence to reclusion perpetua when aggravating circumstances weren't alleged in the Information.
Attempted Rape Conviction Affirmed: Court Explains Elements and Penalties
The Supreme Court affirms an attempted rape conviction, clarifying the elements, evidentiary standards, and penalties under Philippine law.
The Weight of a Witness Conviction Based on Uncorroborated Testimony in Philippine Rape Law
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a single, credible victim testimony suffices to convict in rape cases, and why corroboration is not always required.
Treachery and Witness Credibility: When Conspiracy Fails in Philippine Murder Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when presence at a crime scene does not prove conspiracy in murder, and the importance of witness credibility.