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.
Eyewitness Testimony and Treachery in Murder Convictions: People v. Buban
The Supreme Court affirms a murder conviction based on eyewitness testimony, explaining treachery, alibi, and damages under Philippine law.
Credibility of Child Witness Testimony in Rape Cases: Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on credible child witness testimony, explaining delay in reporting and denial defenses.
Treachery and Eyewitness Testimony: Key Elements in Philippine Murder Convictions
The Supreme Court affirms a murder conviction, explaining how treachery is established and why positive eyewitness identification defeats the defense of alibi.
Due Process in Philippine Courts: Postponements and Witness Testimony
How Philippine courts weigh witness credibility, illumination, and minor inconsistencies in criminal trials.
Unreliable Eyewitness Testimony: Rabanal v. People and Proof Beyond Reasonable Doubt
The Supreme Court's ruling in Rabanal v. People shows how inconsistent eyewitness testimony and contradicting physical evidence can lead to acquittal.
Eyewitness Testimony vs Expert Opinion in Philippine Murder Trials
The Supreme Court explains why eyewitness accounts can outweigh ballistics expert testimony in murder cases, and when courts may disregard expert opinions.
Justice Denied When Eyewitness Testimony Determines Guilt IN Homicide Cases
The Weight of Witness Testimony and Identity in Homicide Convictions
How Philippine courts assess eyewitness identification and credibility in homicide cases, and why knowing a face matters more than knowing a name.
The Power of Corroborating Evidence: How Philippine Courts Assess Witness Testimony
Philippine courts weigh witness testimony against physical evidence and corroboration. Learn the rules from the Larrañaga (Chiong sisters) case.
Dying Declarations and Witness Testimony Establishing Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Homicide Cases
How Philippine courts weigh dying declarations and witness credibility to convict in homicide cases, explained in plain language.
Child Witness Testimony and Statutory Rape: Competency in Philippine Courts
How Philippine courts assess a minor rape victim's testimony, and why proper plea inquiry and qualifying circumstances matter in capital cases.
The Weight of Eyewitness Testimony in Homicide Cases: People v. Reforma
Eyewitness identification prevails over denial in People v. Reforma, but qualifying circumstances must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Accountability IN Robbery With Homicide THE Crucial Role OF Witness Testimony AND Circumstantial Evidence
The Weight of Eyewitness Testimony vs Paraffin Test Results in Murder Convictions
The Supreme Court explains why a negative paraffin test cannot overcome positive eyewitness identification in a murder conviction.
Kidnapping FOR Ransom Affirming THE Importance OF Child Witness Testimony AND Conspiracy IN Criminal LAW
Eyewitness Testimony vs Medico-Legal Findings: Resolving Doubt in Homicide Cases
The Supreme Court acquits a homicide accused where uncross-examined eyewitness testimony conflicted with medico-legal findings and failed the test of moral certainty.
Eyewitness Testimony and Conspiracy in Philippine Criminal Law: People v. Magdaraog
How a lone eyewitness's credible testimony and proof of conspiracy can establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt in Philippine criminal cases.
Positive Identification Over Alibi: Upholding Witness Testimony in a Rape Conviction
In People v. Santos, the Supreme Court upheld a rape conviction based on the victim's credible testimony, rejecting alibi and denial and correcting the penalty to reclusion perpetua.
Eyewitness Testimony and Positive Identification: The Linchpin in Murder Convictions
How credible eyewitness testimony and positive identification secured a murder conviction despite the accused's claim of accident.
Reasonable Doubt and Physical Evidence: When Witness Testimony Prevails in Murder Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how credible witness testimony outweighs an accused's claim of accident, and when treachery fails as a qualifying circumstance.
Eyewitness Testimony and the Perils of Alibi in Philippine Murder Cases
A guilty plea to murder does not prove aggravating circumstances; prosecution must still establish them, as shown in People v. Segnar.
Eyewitness Testimony and Treachery: Proving Murder Beyond Reasonable Doubt
The Supreme Court affirms a murder conviction based on credible eyewitness testimony and treachery despite minor inconsistencies in witnesses’ accounts.
When Silence Speaks Volumes: Conspiracy and Eyewitness Testimony in People v. Pelopero
The Supreme Court affirms murder convictions based on eyewitness testimony, delayed reporting, and circumstantial evidence of conspiracy.
Eyewitness Testimony vs. Alibi in Philippine Criminal Law: People v. Buenavidez
The Supreme Court explains when eyewitness testimony prevails over alibi, and how treachery is proven in murder cases.