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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Local Franchise Tax After EPIRA: When Government Levy on Power Assets Fails
The Supreme Court nullified Bataan's levy on Napocor assets, clarifying local franchise tax limits after EPIRA's transfer of power functions.
Conspiracy by Presence: When Being in a Robbery Band Establishes Guilt
The Supreme Court explains how mere presence in a robbery band, with a weapon, can establish conspiracy and guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Punctuality and Honesty: Upholding Integrity in the Philippine Judiciary
A murder conviction upheld on eyewitness testimony, clarifying treachery, conspiracy, and damages in Philippine criminal law.
Conspiracy and Probable Cause in Corporate Criminal Cases: The Ient v. Tullett Prebon Ruling
Supreme Court clarifies when conspiracy and probable cause establish criminal liability for corporate officers under the Corporation Code.
Accountability Under Conspiracy When Kidnapping Results in Death: All Involved Face the Homicide Charge
When kidnappers act together and the victim dies, conspiracy makes every participant equally liable for the special complex crime.
Guilt by Association: Analyzing Conspiracy in Drug Trafficking Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when a person becomes a co-principal in drug trafficking through conspiracy, and the limits of questioning evidence on appeal.
Conspiracy in Robbery With Homicide: How Planning and Presence Establish Guilt
The Supreme Court affirms a conviction for robbery with homicide based on conspiracy, explaining how planning, presence, and post-crime acts prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
When Courts Can't Enjoin EPIRA: Limits of Judicial Authority on Injunctions
Supreme Court rules RTCs cannot enjoin EPIRA implementation—only the High Court may issue such injunctions, even in declaratory relief cases.
ERC v. Meralco: Only the Supreme Court Can Enjoin EPIRA Implementation
The Supreme Court rules that only it can enjoin EPIRA implementation, clarifying limits on RTC injunctive power over energy regulations.
Electoral Protests and Mootness: When Expiration of Term Limits Ends the Case
The Supreme Court explains why an electoral protest becomes moot when the contested term expires, using the Roxas v. Binay case as an example.
Supreme Court Upholds ERC's Power to Set Electric Cooperative Capital Contribution Charges
SC dismisses challenge to MCC/RFSC charges by electric cooperatives, affirming ERC's rate-setting authority under EPIRA.
Confessions AND Conspiracy Examining Guilt IN Rape With Homicide Cases
Demurrer to Evidence and the Prosecution's Burden in Bigamy Cases: Lapira v. Fariscal
The Supreme Court acquits a bigamy accused, clarifying that a void first marriage and rebutted marriage certificates defeat the prosecution's case.
Probable Cause and Conspiracy in the PDAF Scam: The Reyes v. Ombudsman Ruling
The Supreme Court's 2016 ruling in Reyes v. Ombudsman explains how probable cause and conspiracy work in plunder cases—and why courts rarely disturb the Ombudsman.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Ensuring Integrity of Evidence for Conviction
How the Supreme Court applied the chain of custody rule in People v. Miranda y Beltran to uphold a drug conviction.
Compromise and Complicity: How Settlement With One Party Affects Liability of Others in Securities Fraud
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether settling with one defendant in a securities fraud case extinguishes liability of other alleged co-conspirators.
Supreme Court: Selling Pirated Software Alone Is Copyright Infringement
The Supreme Court rules that merely selling pirated software constitutes copyright infringement under PD 49, reversing the Court of Appeals' restrictive reading.
Rape Conviction Affirmed Conspiracy AND THE Standard OF Proof Beyond Reasonable Doubt
Explore how the Supreme Court acquitted a drug suspect, emphasizing that a valid warrantless arrest must precede any search incident to arrest.
Fixed-Term Employment Contracts: When Expiration Is Not Illegal Dismissal
The Supreme Court clarifies when fixed-term employment is valid and its expiration is not illegal dismissal, citing Brent School.
Ransom Receipt as Proof of Conspiracy in Kidnapping for Ransom Cases
Supreme Court affirms that receiving ransom money during an ongoing kidnapping establishes conspiracy and liability as a principal.
Conspiracy in Robbery With Homicide: Liability Beyond Direct Participation
A look at how Philippine courts hold co-conspirators equally liable for robbery with homicide, even when they did not personally inflict the fatal stab wound.
Accountability for All: Defining Conspiracy in Robbery with Homicide Cases
A look at how Philippine courts apply conspiracy to hold all robbers liable for homicide, even those who did not kill.
Proving Conspiracy in Estafa: When Mere Presence Is Not Enough
The Supreme Court acquits a co-accused in estafa, clarifying that conspiracy must be proven beyond reasonable doubt and cannot exist after the crime is consummated.
Expiration of Redemption Rights: Upholding Property Rights After Failure to Redeem
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on redemption period expiration, property rights, and consequences of failing to redeem within statutory period.