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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Protecting the Vulnerable: Upholding the Testimony of Child Rape Victims in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction based on the credible testimony of a mentally disabled minor, clarifying rules on evidence and procedure.
Rape With Intimidation: The Standard of Resistance and Aggravating Circumstances
The Supreme Court clarifies that in rape, intimidation can substitute for physical resistance, and aggravating circumstances need not be alleged in the information.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Victim Testimony and Conspiracy in Sexual Assault Cases
The Supreme Court affirms rape convictions based on credible victim testimony, medical evidence, and proof of conspiracy among three accused.
Step-Parent Rape and the Death Penalty: What Philippine Law Requires
The Supreme Court affirms the death penalty for a stepfather who raped his 11-year-old stepdaughter, clarifying the rules on qualifying circumstances and damages.
Protecting Innocence: The Supreme Court's Stance on Child Rape and Child Witness Testimony
A five-year-old rape victim's testimony can convict. The Supreme Court explains child witness credibility and the death penalty for child rape.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Rape of a Person with Mental Deficiencies and Victim Credibility
The Supreme Court affirms rape conviction where the victim has mild mental retardation, clarifying that mental deficiency does not undermine credibility.
Rape by Induction: Establishing Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court explains how a person who induces another to commit rape can be held liable as a principal by induction.
Rape Conviction and the Importance of Specific Allegations: People v. Bayona
The Supreme Court reduced a father's death sentence for rape to reclusion perpetua because the informations failed to allege his relationship to the victim.
Recanted Testimony in Rape Cases: Credibility and Victim Protection
The Supreme Court clarifies how courts evaluate credibility in rape cases, including the role of recanted testimony and medical evidence.
Rape Conviction Stands Despite Intact Hymen: Supreme Court on Penetration and Consent
The Supreme Court affirms a father's rape conviction despite an intact hymen, clarifying that full penetration is not required for consummated rape.
Retraction of Witness Testimony and Its Impact on Criminal Convictions
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how recanted testimony is weighed in criminal cases, using a father's rape conviction as the key example.
The Testimony of a Witness With Disabilities: Ensuring Justice and Fair Trial
How the Supreme Court upheld rape convictions based on a deaf-mute victim's credible testimony, affirming that disability does not disqualify a witness.
Consent and Credibility in Rape and Forcible Abduction Cases: The Claudio Standard
The Supreme Court acquits in Claudio, stressing that prosecution must prove lack of consent beyond reasonable doubt in rape cases.
Rape Conviction Upheld Examining Force Intimidation AND THE Rights OF THE Accused
Credibility in Rape Cases: The High Standard for Conviction Based on Victim Testimony
How Philippine courts weigh a rape victim's testimony, force, and mental capacity in securing a conviction beyond reasonable doubt.
Positive Identification and Witness Competency in Rape with Homicide Cases
How the Supreme Court affirmed that a witness with hearing and intellectual impairments can provide credible testimony in rape with homicide prosecutions.
Child Rape in the Philippines: What People v. Lomerio Teaches About Credible Testimony
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling on convicting a child rapist on the victim's testimony, the meaning of carnal knowledge, and how aggravating circumstances are weighed.
Credibility of Rape Victim's Testimony: The Requisite Standard for Conviction
In rape cases, the victim's credible testimony alone can sustain a conviction. The Supreme Court explains the standard.
Rape Conviction and Death Penalty: The Mendiona Case on Aggravating Circumstances
Philippine Supreme Court affirms death penalty for rape with deadly weapon and aggravating circumstances, clarifying civil indemnity rules under Article 335.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Deadly Weapon and Aggravating Circumstances Justify Death Penalty
Supreme Court affirms death penalty for rape committed with a deadly weapon and two aggravating circumstances, clarifying civil indemnity rules.
Child Witnesses and Acts of Lasciviousness: The Dulla Case Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies when a child can testify and how acts of lasciviousness differ from rape in this 2000 ruling.
Protecting the Defenseless: Upholding Conviction for Child Rape Despite Claims of Unreliable Testimony
The Supreme Court affirms that a child of tender years can be a credible witness, upholding a conviction for acts of lasciviousness against a minor.
Circumstantial Evidence and Eyewitness Testimony in Rape of a Minor: People v. Torejos
The Supreme Court affirms a death sentence for rape of a three-year-old, clarifying evidentiary rules on witness credibility and circumstantial proof.
Protecting Childhood: Supreme Court Upholds Conviction in Child Rape Case
The Supreme Court affirms a reclusion perpetua conviction for statutory rape of a nine-year-old, clarifying rules on victim credibility, alibi, and damages.