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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Intent to Kill in Philippine Law: How Courts Prove Homicide and Fix Penalties
Philippine courts explain how intent to kill is proven in homicide cases, and when penalty and damages must be corrected on appeal.
Cash Advances and Malversation: When Good Faith Defeats Criminal Intent
The Supreme Court clarifies when an unliquidated cash advance becomes malversation, acquitting a mayor who acted in good faith.
Kidnapping With Rape: Intent Proven by Unlawful Taking of a Child
The Supreme Court affirms that taking a child without parental consent establishes intent to deprive liberty, convicting the offender of kidnapping with rape.
Reformation of Contract: Correcting Errors to Reflect True Intent in Real Estate Mortgages
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may reform a real estate mortgage to reflect the true intent of the parties, not its literal wording.
Treachery in Criminal Law: The Crucial Element of Deliberate Intent
Sudden attacks do not always amount to treachery. The Supreme Court explains when deliberate intent is required.
Reckless Driving and Criminal Intent: Establishing Liability in Vehicular Accidents
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when reckless driving rises to criminal negligence versus mere administrative liability in vehicular accidents.
Reckless Assault or Intent to Kill: Distinguishing Homicide from Tumultuous Affray
The Supreme Court clarifies when a mauling that causes death is Homicide, not Death Caused in a Tumultuous Affray, and explains intent-to-kill rules.
Intent to Gain in Theft: Proving Criminal Intent Beyond Reasonable Doubt
How Philippine courts establish intent to gain in theft cases, explained through the Supreme Court's ruling in Medina v. People.
Parol Evidence Rule Unveiling True Intent IN Contractual Disputes
Frustrated Homicide: Intent to Kill and Damages in Roque v. People
The Supreme Court clarifies intent to kill in frustrated homicide and awards temperate damages when receipts are missing.
Redemption of Foreclosed Property: Full Payment Required, Good Intent Not Enough
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that redeeming a foreclosed property requires full payment of the redemption price within the one-year period, not just partial payments or good intentions.
Theft or Mistake: Gauging Intent in Employee Dismissal Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when an employee's taking of company property constitutes theft justifying dismissal, and when it is merely a mistake.
Self-Defense vs. Criminal Intent: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Homicide Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when self-defense fails and how treachery qualifies killing as murder, not homicide.
Grave Misconduct Requires Proof of Wrongful Intent, Not Just a Flawed Revaluation
When is a bad property valuation grave misconduct? The Supreme Court clarifies the evidence needed to hold public officers liable.
Intent to Kill: Distinguishing Attempted Murder From Physical Injuries in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains how intent to kill separates attempted murder from physical injuries, and what evidence proves it.
Intent to Kill: What Separates Frustrated Homicide from Serious Physical Injuries
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how intent to kill distinguishes frustrated homicide from serious physical injuries, with practical guidance on evidence.
Mistake vs Malice: When Honest Error Defeats Theft Charges in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when honest mistake negates criminal intent in theft cases, acquitting a man who cut trees on the wrong property.
Understanding Frustrated Homicide: Intent to Kill and Penalties in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies intent to kill in frustrated homicide and corrects penalty and damages awards in De Guzman v. People.
Donor's Tax on Share Sales: Fair Market Value and Donative Intent
Supreme Court rules on donor's tax for share sales below book value, fair market value determination, and CTA jurisdiction.
Loan vs Donation: Proving Intent in Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when payments for another's property are loans, not donations, and the formal requirements for valid donations.
Preserving Ballot Integrity Ensuring Accurate Reflection OF Voters Intent IN Philippine Elections
Ballot integrity in Philippine elections depends on accurate voter intent. Learn how courts protect the sanctity of the vote.
Challenging Election Results AND Preserving Voter Intent
Challenging election results is a legal process governed by strict rules. This article explains the requirements for election protests and how courts balance ballot integrity with voter intent.
Robbery With Homicide: Intent to Rob Must Precede the Killing
The Supreme Court clarifies that robbery with homicide requires intent to rob before the killing; otherwise, only homicide may be proven.
When Killing Is Not Robbery: Proving Intent in Robbery with Homicide
The Supreme Court clarifies when a killing with theft is homicide, not robbery with homicide, focusing on criminal intent.