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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Breach of Trust When a Commission Agreement Leads to Criminal Liability for Estafa
When does failing to remit sales proceeds become estafa, not just debt? The Supreme Court explains in Cheng v. People.
Inducement in Homicide: When Words Lead to Criminal Liability
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling in Ambagan v. People on when spoken words can make a person liable as principal by inducement in homicide.
Upholding Civil Liability: Death Does Not Erase Debt in B.P. 22 Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that criminal liability for B.P. 22 does not extinguish civil liability, which survives the offender's death.
Obstructing Justice When Removing Evidence Leads to Criminal Liability
Learn when removing evidence becomes obstruction of justice in the Philippines, based on a Supreme Court ruling on tampering and misconduct.
Attorney Suspended for Dishonored Checks: Ethical Duties Beyond the Courtroom
Issuing worthless checks can cost a lawyer more than criminal liability—it can trigger suspension from practice, as this case shows.
Death of Accused Pending Appeal: How It Extinguishes Criminal Liability in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court explains how an accused's death pending appeal extinguishes criminal liability, and why drug offenses carry no civil liability.
Possession of Forest Products Without Documents: A Primer on the Revised Forestry Code
Learn how mere possession of lumber without legal documents can lead to criminal liability under the Revised Forestry Code, as explained in a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Death of Accused Pending Appeal Extinguishes Criminal Liability in Rape Case
Supreme Court explains how an accused's death before final judgment extinguishes criminal and civil liability ex delicto.
Treachery in Jailhouse Killings: Conspiracy and Criminal Liability Explained
How the Supreme Court applied treachery and conspiracy to convict inmates who murdered jail guards and carnapped a vehicle during a prison break.
Condonation and Concubinage: Understanding Marital Forgiveness in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies how condonation affects criminal liability for concubinage under the Revised Penal Code, and what spouses should know.
Overseas Dreams, Broken Promises: Criminal Liability for Illegal Recruitment and Estafa
A Supreme Court ruling explains when illegal recruitment in large scale and estafa may be charged together, and how conspiracy is proven.
Kidnapping for Ransom: How Conspiracy and Flight Establish Criminal Liability
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on kidnapping for ransom, conspiracy liability, and damages in People v. Niegas.
Estafa and Agency Criminal Liability Cannot Be Extinguished by Contractual Novation
Supreme Court rules novation cannot extinguish criminal liability for estafa; only the State may waive criminal action.
Death of Accused Pending Appeal Extinguishes Criminal Liability and Civil Liability Ex Delicto
The Supreme Court clarifies that an accused's death before final judgment extinguishes criminal liability and civil liability arising from the offense.
Independent Civil Actions and Criminal Liability: Prejudicial Questions in Estafa Cases
When does a civil case suspend a criminal prosecution? The Supreme Court clarifies the prejudicial question rule in estafa cases.
Bigamy and Nullity of Marriage: When a Void Second Marriage Still Leads to Criminal Liability
The Supreme Court clarifies that a subsequent declaration of nullity of a second marriage does not erase criminal liability for bigamy.
Treachery and Intent: How Grenade Attacks Establish Criminal Liability
The Supreme Court explains how treachery and criminal intent are established when a grenade is thrown into a crowd, affirming a murder conviction.
Extinguishment OF Criminal Liability Death Before Final Judgment AND THE Privileged Mitigating Circumstance OF Minority
When Can Conjugal Assets Be Seized to Pay a Spouse's Criminal Liability?
The Supreme Court explains when conjugal partnership properties may be levied to satisfy civil indemnities arising from a spouse's criminal conviction.
Self-Defense vs Homicide: Understanding Criminal Intent in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense fails and homicide stands, explaining unlawful aggression, dying declarations, and criminal liability.
Treachery and Self-Defense: Understanding Criminal Liability in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling explains when self-defense fails and treachery qualifies a killing as murder under Philippine law.
Accountability in Armed Robbery and Kidnapping: Defining Roles and Liabilities
A look at how Philippine courts assign criminal liability to each participant in armed robbery and kidnapping-for-ransom, based on a 2012 Supreme Court ruling.
Trust Receipts vs Ordinary Loans: When Debt Restructuring Does Not Erase Criminal Liability
Philippine National Bank v. Soriano clarifies when restructuring a trust receipt loan does not extinguish criminal liability for estafa under PD 115.
Demolition Without Due Notice: The Limits of Official Action and Graft Prosecution
A look at when demolition without notice crosses the line into criminal liability, and the legal safeguards against official overreach.