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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Bouncing Checks Law: The 90-Day Rule and Proof of Knowledge Under BP 22
Presenting a check after 90 days does not bar prosecution under BP 22—knowledge of insufficient funds can still be proven by other evidence.
Online Psychological Abuse and Social Media Evidence: The Supreme Court's Guidelines on Facebook Account Owner
How Philippine courts prove Facebook authorship in VAWC cases, and why using social media raises the penalty for psychological abuse.
Partnership Dissolution and Asset Determination When Accounting Records Are Unavailable
When partnership books are lost, courts can still determine a partner's share using secondary evidence. Learn the rules from this Philippine Supreme Court case.
When Eyewitness Testimony Overrides Forensic Evidence: Understanding Homicide Convictions in the Philippines
Philippine courts weigh eyewitness testimony against forensic evidence in homicide cases. Learn how credibility and inconsistencies shape convictions.
Eyewitness Testimony and Proving Robbery With Homicide: People v. Torres
The Supreme Court affirms a robbery with homicide conviction, explaining how eyewitness identification and circumstantial evidence establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Judicial Misconduct THE High Cost OF Impropriety IN Custody OF Evidence
Reasonable Doubt Prevails in Drug Possession Case: People v. Mariano
The Supreme Court acquits a drug possession accused where prosecution evidence fails to prove possession beyond reasonable doubt.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Ensuring Justice for Victims of Sudden Attacks
How Philippine courts use circumstantial evidence to convict killers, even without direct proof of the shooting.
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.
Lack of Treachery Evidence Reduces Murder Charge to Homicide: People v. Crisanto
When prosecution fails to prove treachery, a murder conviction may be reduced to homicide. Learn the rules from People v. Crisanto.
Accountability for All: Conspiracy in Carnapping with Homicide
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on conspiracy in carnapping with homicide, explaining how circumstantial evidence can prove joint criminal liability.
Reasonable Doubt Acquittal Based on Insufficient Evidence of Conspiracy in Murder Case
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: mere presence at a crime scene does not prove conspiracy; accused acquitted on reasonable doubt.
Conspiracy and Murder by Hired Killers: When One Co-Accused's Acquittal Does Not Free Another
A look at how the Supreme Court upheld murder convictions based on conspiracy, positive identification, and circumstantial evidence in a hired killing.
Rape With Deadly Weapon: Victim's Testimony Stands Despite Lack of Physical Evidence
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction with scythe, holding victim's credible testimony sufficient despite absence of weapon or physical evidence.
Baseless Administrative Complaints Against Judges: Lessons from Manahon v. Judge Tan
The Supreme Court dismissed a baseless administrative complaint against a judge, reinforcing that substantial evidence is required and frivolous charges will be reprimanded.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails Over Circumstantial Evidence in Drug Transportation Case
The Supreme Court acquits a drug transport accused, ruling that circumstantial evidence must exclude every reasonable hypothesis of innocence.
Search Warrant Validity and Plain View Doctrine in Drug Possession Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on search warrant requirements, plain view doctrine, and inadmissible evidence in drug possession cases.
Self-Defense Claims: Proving Imminent Threat and Reasonable Response in Homicide Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the burden of proof for self-defense claims in homicide cases, requiring clear evidence of unlawful aggression.
When Identification Fails: The Teves Parricide Acquittal and the Limits of Circumstantial Evidence
The Supreme Court acquits a parricide convict, showing how suggestive identification and weak circumstantial evidence cannot support a conviction beyond reasonable doubt.
Reasonable Doubt and Inconsistent Testimony: Acquittal in People v. Lavapie
The Supreme Court acquitted two murder accused after finding material inconsistencies between witness testimony and physical evidence, reaffirming the reasonable doubt standard.
Beyond Words: Establishing Rape Through Credible Testimony and Circumstantial Evidence
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how credible witness testimony and circumstantial evidence can establish rape convictions.
Circumstantial Evidence Conviction: Murder Reduced to Homicide in Icalla Case
Supreme Court explains when circumstantial evidence suffices for conviction and why murder was reduced to homicide in People v. Icalla.
Waiver in Election Protests: Demurrer to Evidence Implies Loss of Right to Present Own Evidence
Filing a demurrer to evidence in an election protest waives the protestee's right to present evidence, even if the demurrer is denied.