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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Treachery in Philippine Law: How a Deceptive Attack Elevates Homicide to Murder
Learn how treachery turns homicide into murder under Philippine law, explained through the Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Fabrigas.
Homicide vs Murder: Intent and Aggravating Circumstances in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains when a killing is homicide, not murder, and how aggravating circumstances affect the penalty.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Intent, Liability, and the Limits of Qualifying Circumstances
A Supreme Court ruling explains when treachery qualifies a killing as murder, and how conspiracy affects criminal liability in the Philippines.
When Does a Brawl Become Murder? Understanding Conspiracy and Homicide in the Philippines
Philippine law on conspiracy and homicide explained through a landmark Supreme Court case on robbery with homicide.
The Weight of Witness Testimony: Understanding Credibility in Philippine Murder Cases
How Philippine courts assess eyewitness credibility in murder cases, explained through the 1996 Supreme Court ruling in People v. Sotes.
Eyewitness Testimony and the Perils of Alibi in Philippine Criminal Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on eyewitness identification, alibi as weak defense, and treachery in murder cases.
When Can Circumstantial Evidence Lead to a Murder Conviction in the Philippines
Learn when Philippine courts accept circumstantial evidence to convict for murder, the legal rules, and practical takeaways.
The Importance of Proper Notice in Philippine Legal Proceedings: A Case Analysis
A Supreme Court ruling on self-defense, credibility of witnesses, and the weight of evidence in murder and frustrated murder cases.
Eyewitness Testimony: How It Can Make or Break a Murder Case in the Philippines
How a single eyewitness's positive identification can secure a murder conviction, and why courts trust credible testimony over denial.
Evident Premeditation: Proving Intent and Cool Thought in Philippine Criminal Law
Understand how Philippine courts prove evident premeditation to qualify a killing as murder, and why treachery was rejected in People v. Belga.
Treachery in Philippine Law: Understanding Murder vs. Homicide
The Supreme Court clarifies when treachery qualifies a killing as murder, distinguishing it from homicide in People v. Compendio.
PNP Accountability When Law Enforcers Commit Murder in the Philippines
Supreme Court affirms murder conviction of four PNP members, holding police accountable for extrajudicial killing and escape from custody.
Self-Defense and Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: A Supreme Court Analysis
The Supreme Court explains when self-defense fails and treachery qualifies a killing to murder in People v. Vallador.
When Witness Testimony Determines Guilt: Credibility in Philippine Murder Cases
Learn how Philippine courts assess eyewitness credibility in murder cases, from the 1996 People v. Pano ruling on positive identification versus alibi.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Understanding Alevosia and Its Implications
A look at how Philippine courts define treachery (alevosia) in murder cases, using the 1996 Paragua decision as a guide.
Conspiracy and Credibility in Murder Convictions: The Arceño Case
How the Supreme Court affirmed murder convictions based on conspiracy and credible eyewitness testimony in a Philippine military operation gone wrong.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Application and Implications
How Philippine courts apply treachery as a qualifying circumstance in murder, explained through the 1996 Supreme Court ruling in People v. Caritativo.
Self-Defense and Treachery: Understanding Criminal Liability in Philippine Law
A look at how Philippine courts weigh self-defense claims against treachery in murder cases, using the Lapura ruling.
Self-Defense and Conspiracy in Philippine Criminal Law: Lessons from People v. Bernal
The Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense fails and conspiracy arises in group attacks, using the Bernal brothers' murder conviction as a guide.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Understanding Intent and Attack
Learn how Philippine courts define treachery, why it qualifies killing as murder, and what Patrolla v. People teaches about intent and attack.
Treachery in Philippine Law: When Does an Attack Qualify as Murder
The Supreme Court explains when a killing is treachery-qualified murder and when it remains only homicide, with practical guidance.
Proving Treachery in Murder Cases: Lessons from People v. Ocsimar
The Supreme Court clarifies that treachery must be proven as clearly as the crime itself, and a stab from behind does not automatically qualify as murder.
Treachery in Criminal Law: Understanding Sudden and Unexpected Attacks
The Supreme Court explains treachery in murder cases through a sudden, unexpected bolo attack at a dance.
Positive Identification Over Alibi Upholding Conviction in Murder and Frustrated Murder Case
Supreme Court affirms murder and frustrated murder conviction, ruling positive identification prevails over alibi and denial.