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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When Rape Charges Are Not Qualified: The Importance of Specific Allegations in the Information
A Supreme Court ruling shows why qualifying circumstances in rape must be specifically alleged in the information to warrant the death penalty.
Rape Conviction Modified: When Qualifying Circumstances Must Be Alleged
The Supreme Court modifies a rape conviction, acquitting the accused on three counts for insufficient evidence and ruling on the necessity of alleging qualifying circumstances.
Mental Capacity and Rape in Philippine Law: The Hamto Case
How Philippine courts treat mentally retarded rape victims' testimony, and why mental age matters in proving rape.
Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Delayed Reporting: Fear and Intimidation in Sexual Assault Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a robbery-with-rape conviction, ruling that a victim's delayed reporting and submission due to fear do not negate the crime.
THE Perils OF Identification Safeguarding Rights IN Robbery With Rape Cases
Incestuous Rape Conviction Affirmed But Death Penalty Reduced for Lack of Age Proof
SC affirms incestuous rape conviction but reduces death penalty to reclusion perpetua where victim's minority was alleged but not proven.
Incestuous Rape: Upholding the Sanctity of Filial Trust and the Severity of Betrayal
The Supreme Court affirms the conviction of a father for four counts of rape against his daughter, underscoring the gravity of incestuous abuse.
Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Delayed Reporting and Absence of Semen
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction of father despite delayed reporting and no semen found, explaining why these do not weaken a credible victim's testimony.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Rape Conviction Upheld for Child Victim
Supreme Court affirms death penalty for rape of a five-year-old, ruling the child's testimony and medical evidence proved consummated rape.
Parental Incest Establishing Minority of the Victim Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Rape Cases
How Philippine courts prove a rape victim's minority for the death penalty, using parental incest as the key example.
Flawed Identification and Suggestive Police Line-Up Lead to Acquittal in Robbery-Rape Case
Philippine Supreme Court acquits robbery-rape accused where police suggestion tainted identification and alibi stood unrebutted.
Rape Conviction Requires Precise Allegations Protecting Due Process in Criminal Charges
The Supreme Court ruled that convicting an accused of qualified rape when the information only alleged simple rape violates due process.
Date Discrepancies and Fair Notice in Rape Cases: Protecting the Accused's Rights
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how vague dates in rape informations violate the accused's constitutional right to fair notice and defense.
Incestuous Rape and Belated Confessions: When a Guilty Plea Cannot Mitigate Death
In People v. Palermo, the Supreme Court ruled that a confession made after the prosecution rests cannot mitigate the death penalty for qualified rape.
Credible Testimony in Rape Cases: Lessons from People v. Buenaflor
The Supreme Court acquitted a rape accused due to inconsistent, improbable testimony. Credibility is key.
The Power of a Child's Testimony in Sustaining Rape Convictions Based on Credible Accounts
How a seven-year-old's clear and consistent testimony can sustain a rape conviction, even without a broken hymen.
State Witness Credibility and Proof Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Rape Cases
When can a single witness's testimony justify a rape conviction? The Supreme Court explains credibility rules and the burden of proof.
Custodial Rape: Consent and Trust Betrayed in Step-Grandfather's Conviction
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction of step-grandfather, ruling that a child victim's credible testimony suffices even without a ruptured hymen.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Victim Credibility and Intact Hymen Do Not Negate Rape
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on credible victim testimony; intact hymen does not negate rape, and full penetration is not required.
Voluntariness and Comprehension in Guilty Pleas: Protecting the Accused in Capital Offenses
The Supreme Court clarifies what a "searching inquiry" requires when an accused pleads guilty to a capital offense, using a rape case as the backdrop.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Alibi Fails Against Positive Identification
Learn how the Supreme Court rejected alibi and upheld a rape conviction, explaining key rules on credibility, medical evidence, and damages.
Rape and Relationship: When “Stepfather” Is Not Enough for the Death Penalty
The Supreme Court clarifies that a common-law spouse is not a “stepfather” for death penalty purposes, reducing rape sentences to reclusion perpetua.
Protecting the Vulnerable: The Supreme Court's Stance on Rape of a Child with Epilepsy
The Supreme Court affirms the conviction of a man for four counts of statutory rape against a 10-year-old girl with epilepsy, clarifying rules on delay in reporting, alibi, and damages.
Breach of Trust: The Supreme Court's Stance on Incestuous Rape and Parental Authority
A stepfather's rape conviction upheld, but death penalty reduced to reclusion perpetua for failure to prove minority and relationship.