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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Protecting Childhood: Supreme Court Upholds Conviction in Child Rape Case
The Supreme Court affirms a reclusion perpetua conviction for statutory rape of a nine-year-old, clarifying rules on victim credibility, alibi, and damages.
Rape Allegation vs Proof: Why Qualifying Circumstances Must Be Alleged and Proven
A rape conviction reduced from death to reclusion perpetua because the prosecution failed to allege and prove the victim's minority and the offender's status as stepfather.
Procedural Due Process in Rape Cases: Why Proper Charges Matter
How a flawed criminal complaint led the Supreme Court to reduce death sentences to reclusion perpetua in a stepfather rape case.
Reclusion Perpetua in the Philippines: Why You Must Appeal to Avoid Final Judgment
A conviction with reclusion perpetua is not automatically reviewed by the Supreme Court. Learn why filing an appeal is crucial.
Rape Conviction on Credible Testimony: The Tabion Case and the Requirement of Alleging Minority
The Supreme Court affirms a father's rape conviction based on the victim's credible testimony, but reduces the penalty from death to reclusion perpetua because the Information failed to allege the vic
Supreme Court Clarifies Penalty for Shabu Sale: Death Sentence Reduced to Reclusion Perpetua
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on drug sale penalties, conspiracy, buy-bust operations, and when death penalty is not automatic.
When Buy-Bust Operations Stand Firm: Upholding Drug Convictions in the Philippines
The Supreme Court affirms drug convictions from a buy-bust operation, clarifying conspiracy rules and correcting the penalty from death to reclusion perpetua.
Reasonable Doubt and Insanity Defense: When Inconsistent Testimony Leads to Acquittal in Philippine Murder Cas
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies insanity defense and treachery in murder cases, reducing death penalty to reclusion perpetua.
Due Process in Philippine Rape Cases: Why Improper Charges Can Reduce Penalties
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how defective criminal informations can reduce rape penalties from death to reclusion perpetua.
Rape Conviction on Victim's Testimony: Credibility Standards in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on credible lone victim testimony, clarifies damages and reclusion perpetua rules.
Navigating Illegal Drug Possession Cases: Rights and Reclusion Perpetua
Understanding the Supreme Court's ruling on drug possession, constitutional rights during warrantless searches, and the penalty of reclusion perpetua.
Death Penalty in the Philippines: Compelling Reasons and Heinous Crimes
The Supreme Court clarifies when the death penalty applies for heinous crimes and why reclusion perpetua remains an indivisible penalty under Philippine law.
Reclusion Perpetua in Philippine Law: Why It Remains an Indivisible Penalty
The Supreme Court clarifies that reclusion perpetua remains an indivisible penalty despite RA 7659, explaining its true duration and application in drug cases.
Rape and Incest in the Philippines: Legal Consequences and Victim Rights
A father's repeated rape of his daughter yields three reclusion perpetua terms and P225,000 in damages, clarifying Philippine incest-rape law.
When Circumstantial Evidence Suffices: Rape with Homicide and the Limits of Alibi
The Supreme Court explains when circumstantial evidence can convict, why alibi rarely works, and the difference between reclusion perpetua and life imprisonment.
Reclusion Perpetua: The Unchanged Penalty for Murder Despite Constitutional Shifts
The Supreme Court clarifies that the 1987 Constitution's death penalty abolition does not alter the penalty periods for murder under the Revised Penal Code.