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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Eyewitness Testimony and Treachery: How One Credible Witness Can Prove Murder in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling on how a lone eyewitness's credible testimony, plus treachery, can establish guilt for murder beyond reasonable doubt.
Judicial Ethics: The Prohibition Against Judges Engaging in Private Legal Practice
A Supreme Court ruling shows why judges may not file pleadings for litigants, and how one judge's comment in a case led to suspension and a fine.
Witness Credibility and Treachery in Murder Cases: People v. Manzano
The Supreme Court affirms a murder conviction based on a lone eyewitness's credible testimony and treachery, explaining key rules on alibi and damages.
Partnership Dissolution and Accounting: Heirs' Rights and Docket Fee Obligations
Supreme Court clarifies heirs' rights to demand partnership accounting after a partner's death, and the docket fee obligations in such actions.
Rape and the Perils of Unpleaded Qualifying Circumstances: Protecting Due Process in Criminal Accusations
In People v. Laciste, the Supreme Court reduced a death sentence to reclusion perpetua because the victim's minority was not alleged in the information.
Rape Shield Protecting Child Victims AND Upholding Justice
The Supreme Court affirms rape convictions based on the credible testimony of a victim, explaining key evidentiary rules in Philippine rape cases.
Police Authority vs. Individual Rights: Illegal Drug Sales and the Integrity of Evidence
A 2001 Supreme Court ruling on a buy-bust operation in Binondo shows how courts weigh police credibility, evidence integrity, and the presumption of innocence.
When a Donation to a Common-Law Spouse Is Void Under Article 87 of the Family Code
The Supreme Court explains when a donation to a common-law spouse is void under Article 87 of the Family Code, and what evidence proves cohabitation.
Positive Identification Over Alibi: When Witness Testimony Prevails in Murder Cases
The Supreme Court explains why positive identification by eyewitnesses outweighs alibi and denial in murder cases, affirming a conviction for treachery.
Due Process Prevails: Joint vs Solidary Liability and the Fallo Rule
Learn how the Supreme Court protected a debtor from over-execution by applying the rule that the dispositive portion of a judgment prevails.
Buy-Bust Operations and the Presumption of Regularity: Balancing Law Enforcement and Individual Rights
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on buy-bust operations, presumption of regularity, and the limits of depositions in criminal cases.
Credibility in Rape Cases: Supreme Court on Uncorroborated Testimony and Victim Behavior
SC explains why a rape victim's testimony can stand alone, and why the death penalty needed the relationship alleged in the information.
Parental Authority and Rape: Why Minority Must Be Alleged in Qualified Rape Cases
A Supreme Court ruling explains why a father's conviction for raping his daughter was reduced from death to reclusion perpetua when her minority was not alleged.
Strict Rules on Appeal Briefs: Why Technical Defects Can Cost a Case
The Supreme Court explains why a defective appellant's brief can lead to dismissal of an appeal, even if the case has merit.
Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Lack of Physical Evidence: Credible Testimony Suffices
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on rape conviction based on credible testimony, not physical evidence, and the importance of proper allegation of qualifying circumstances.
Conviction Upheld on Circumstantial Evidence in Carnapping-Murder Case
The Supreme Court explains when circumstantial evidence suffices for conviction and why unproven aggravating circumstances mean reclusion perpetua, not death.
Navigating Force Majeure When Strikes Excuse Contractual Delays in Philippine Law
When do strikes excuse delayed delivery? The Supreme Court explains force majeure, good faith, and damages in government bidding.
Credibility of Rape Victim's Testimony: Supreme Court on Conflicting Evidence and Behavioral Expectations
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, explaining why a victim's testimony prevails over alibi and why resistance is not always required.
Qualifying Circumstances in Rape: Why Specific Allegation in the Information Matters
The Supreme Court clarifies that qualifying circumstances like minority and use of a deadly weapon must be alleged in the information to justify the death penalty.
Repealed Law Cannot Govern Licensure Exams: Lessons from Bordallo v. PRC
When a new law repeals an old one, examiners cannot apply the old passing rate. The Supreme Court explains why in Bordallo v. PRC.
Why Qualifying Circumstances Must Be Alleged in Rape Informations
The Supreme Court explains why failure to allege minority and use of a deadly weapon in a rape information downgrades the crime to simple rape.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails: Acquittal in Forcible Abduction and Rape Case Based on Inconsistent Testimony
Supreme Court acquits accused in forcible abduction with rape case, ruling that inconsistent testimony and lack of resistance failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Dying Declarations and Witness Credibility: Reevaluating Guilt in Homicide Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies rape conviction standards, intact hymen evidence, and proper death penalty application in People v. Dayna.
Double Sale of Land: Why Prior Registration Alone Does Not Win Ownership
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that in double sales of land, prior registration only prevails if the second buyer acted in good faith throughout.