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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The Limits of Self-Defense: Establishing Unlawful Aggression in Homicide Cases
Explore how Philippine courts require clear proof of unlawful aggression for self-defense claims, using a 2010 murder case as guide.
Eyewitness Credibility and the Principle of Alibi: Standards of Proof in Philippine Criminal Law
This article explains how Philippine courts weigh eyewitness testimony, self-defense claims, and abuse of superior strength in murder cases.
Ensuring Justice HOW Eyewitness Testimony AND Forensic Evidence Determine Guilt IN Murder Cases
Duress vs Free Will: When Fear Does Not Excuse Criminal Liability
Philippine Supreme Court explains when uncontrollable fear excuses a crime and when it does not, in a murder case.
Eyewitness Testimony and Conspiracy Decide Double Murder Case
How credible eyewitness testimony and conspiracy principles led to homicide convictions in a juvenile double murder case.
When Silence Isn't Golden: Delayed Witness Testimony and the Pursuit of Justice in Murder Cases
A delayed eyewitness affidavit doesn't automatically destroy credibility, the Supreme Court rules in People v. Cawaling, affirming a murder conviction.
Murder Conviction Upheld: Treachery, Voluntary Surrender, and Damages Rules Clarified
SC clarifies treachery, voluntary surrender, and damages in murder cases, affirming reclusion perpetua for a bolo attack.
Shared Intent, Shared Liability: Understanding Conspiracy in Philippine Murder Cases
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling on murder, treachery, and voluntary surrender shows how intent and circumstance shape criminal liability and damages.
Probable Cause vs DOJ Secretary's Discretion in Parricide Cases: Key Lessons from Asetre v. Asetre
The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of judicial review over the DOJ Secretary's finding of probable cause in parricide and murder cases.
Amnesty Limits in the Olalia Murder Case: Political Belief vs Criminal Prosecution
The Supreme Court clarifies that amnesty grants are limited to crimes disclosed in applications, not blanket immunity from prosecution.
Eyewitness Testimony and Alibi in Murder Cases: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when eyewitness testimony outweighs alibi and what evidence proves carnal knowledge in rape cases.
THE Weight OF Witness Testimony Convicting ON CO Conspirator Accounts IN Murder Cases
Treachery in Criminal Law: Ensuring Justice for Victims of Deliberate Attacks
How Philippine courts define treachery in murder cases and why a single credible eyewitness can secure a conviction.
Treachery IN Group Attacks Establishing Liability IN Murder Cases
Guilt by Association: Circumstantial Evidence and Conviction in the Philippines
How Philippine courts use circumstantial evidence to convict, explained through a murder case where no one saw the killing.
Positive Identification and Conspiracy in Murder Cases: Clarifying Witness Credibility
People v. Martin shows how Philippine courts weigh eyewitness identification, alibi, conspiracy, and damages in a murder conviction and appeal.
Treachery and Alibi: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Murder Cases
When sudden attack meets weak defense: how treachery qualifies murder and why alibi fails against positive identification.
Conviction Despite Alibi: Positive Identification Overrules Defense in Quirino Arson-Murder Case
In People v. Gaffud, the Supreme Court upheld a conviction for double murder by fire, ruling that positive identification and flight defeat alibi and denial.
Treachery IN Plain Sight Analyzing Criminal Intent IN Murder Cases
The Weight of Witness Testimony, Credibility, and Conspiracy in Murder Cases
How Philippine courts assess eyewitness credibility and infer conspiracy in murder cases, explained through People v. Bucayo.
Self Defense Claim Fails Why Intent AND Evidence Matter IN Murder Cases
Learn why the Supreme Court rejected a self-defense claim in a murder case, emphasizing intent and evidence.
Treachery Defined: How Sudden Attacks Are Punished Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains treachery in murder cases, showing how sudden attacks on unsuspecting victims qualify for the highest penalties.
Treachery in Criminal Law: Understanding Its Application in Murder Cases
Learn how treachery qualifies murder under Philippine law, its elements, and how courts apply it in criminal cases.
Dying Declarations and Witness Testimony Establishing Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Murder Cases
How a victim's dying declaration and an eyewitness's testimony secured a murder conviction, and what this means for Philippine criminal evidence.