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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Contract of Legal Services: When a Mayor's Authority Binds a Municipality
Supreme Court ruling on when a municipal mayor's contract binds the LGU, limits of Sangguniang Bayan authorization, and judgment on the pleadings.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Victim Testimony and Positive Identification in Philippine Law
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, ruling that a victim's positive identification and credible testimony can overcome alibi and denial defenses.
Kidnapping for Ransom Conviction Affirmed: The Limits of Alibi and Denial of Conspiracy
Supreme Court affirms kidnapping-for-ransom convictions, explaining why alibi fails against positive identification and how conspiracy is inferred from concerted acts.
Rape Conviction Requires Proof Beyond Reasonable Doubt Analyzing Testimonial Evidence
Filling Sanggunian Vacancies: The Strict Rules on Party Nomination and Membership
Supreme Court clarifies that filling Sanggunian vacancies requires bona fide party membership and nomination from the highest party official.
Positive Identification Over Denial Establishing Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
How clear, categorical eyewitness identification outweighs the weak defense of denial in Philippine criminal cases.
Credibility of the Rape Victim: The Decisive Factor in Philippine Jurisprudence
In incestuous rape cases, the victim's credible testimony outweighs weak defenses like denial and alibi. Learn the rules.
Credibility of Rape Victim’s Testimony: Key Lessons from Arcosiba v. People
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, stressing that a minor victim’s clear and consistent testimony prevails over the accused’s denial and alibi.
Sangguniang Bayan Concurrence in Municipal Appointments: A Mandatory Requirement
The Supreme Court ruled that municipal appointments require Sangguniang Bayan concurrence; without it, the appointment is invalid regardless of tenure.
Fresh Period Rule: The Right to Appeal After a Motion for Reconsideration
Learn how the Fresh Period Rule in Neypes v. CA gives litigants 15 days from denial of a motion for reconsideration to appeal.
Age of Criminal Responsibility: Testimonial Evidence and Protecting Juvenile Offenders
How testimonial evidence can prove a juvenile offender's age for exemption from criminal liability under RA 9344.
Compromise Agreements in Philippine Tax Cases: The Supreme Court's Approval in California Manufacturing
When can a taxpayer compromise local tax liabilities? The Supreme Court's ruling in California Manufacturing explains the binding effect of judicial compromises.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Credibility of Victim's Testimony and Weak Defenses of Denial and Alibi
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, ruling that a credible victim's testimony suffices and that denial and alibi are weak defenses.
Credible Testimony Prevails Upholding Rape Conviction Despite Minor Inconsistencies
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, holding that a credible victim's testimony outweighs minor inconsistencies and bare denials.
Victim Identification Trumps Alibi: The Eduarte Robbery Case
When a victim positively identifies a robber and chases him down, a mere denial and alibi cannot overcome credible testimony.
When Substantial Justice Prevails Over Late Appeal Briefs: Bigornia v. Court of Appeals
The Supreme Court reinstates an appeal dismissed for a late brief, holding that procedural rules serve—not suppress—substantial justice.
Rape and Relationship: Upholding a Conviction Based on the Victim's Testimony and Medical Evidence
In People v. Sulima, the Supreme Court affirmed a rape conviction built on the victim's credible testimony and medical findings, rejecting denial and alibi.
Navigating Investment Incentives: The Finality of BOI Decisions and Appellate Procedure
The Supreme Court ruled that a denial of an income tax holiday by the Board of Investments must be appealed to the Court of Appeals, not the Office of the President.
Conspiracy and Treachery in Murder: Lessons from People v. Sameniano
How the Supreme Court upheld a murder conviction based on conspiracy, treachery, and a credible lone eyewitness.
When Sangguniang Approval Is Needed for Local Government Contracts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when local chief executives need sanggunian approval before signing contracts binding their LGUs to new obligations.
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.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Credible Testimony and Medical Evidence Validate Child Victim's Account
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, explaining why a child victim's credible testimony and medical findings outweigh denial and alibi.
Credibility in Rape Cases: Victim Testimony and the Rejection of Alibi
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, explaining why a credible victim's testimony outweighs alibi and denial defenses.
Rape Conviction Affirmed on Credibility of Testimony and Weak Defense of Alibi
Supreme Court affirms murder conviction, explaining why credible eyewitness testimony outweighs alibi and denial in Philippine criminal cases.