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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Moral Ascendancy as Substitute for Force in Incestuous and Family Rape Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how moral ascendancy and intimidation can substitute for physical force in rape convictions.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Victim Testimony and Medical Evidence Suffice for Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
Explore how the Supreme Court affirmed a rape conviction, relying on credible victim testimony and medical findings over alibi defenses.
Finality of Judgment: Supreme Court Upholds the Sanctity of Concluded Decisions
A final and executory judgment can no longer be altered or modified. The Supreme Court explains why litigation must end.
Negligence and the Burden of Proof: Establishing Liability for Damages in Property Disputes
A fire crossed from a factory to a farm, but without proof of negligence, the property owner could not recover damages. The Supreme Court explains the burden of proof in civil cases.
Lapsed Rights: How Prescription Bars Reversion of Donated Land to Delgado Heirs
A 2001 Supreme Court ruling shows that even with an automatic reversion clause, heirs must act within 10 years or lose the right to reclaim donated land.
Judicial Conduct: Upholding Impartiality and Addressing Allegations of Unjust Decisions
The Supreme Court dismissed a complaint against a judge, ruling that judicial acts are shielded unless tainted by bad faith, fraud, or corruption.
Unraveling Inheritance Rights Filiation AND THE Validity OF Extrajudicial Settlements
A Supreme Court ruling on filiation, inheritance rights, and the validity of extrajudicial settlements and deeds of sale.
Self-Defense vs. Unlawful Aggression: Distinguishing Homicide from Murder in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies self-defense requirements and treachery elements, reducing murder conviction to homicide in People v. Cariño.
Can Debts Be Paid in Palay? The Rule on Legal Tender in the Philippines
Learn from a Supreme Court ruling why palay cannot be used to pay money damages, and what this means for obligations in the Philippines.
Judicial Efficiency: The Imperative of Timely Case Resolution in Philippine Courts
A Supreme Court ruling on a judge's delay in deciding a murder case underscores the constitutional mandate for courts to resolve cases within 90 days.
Judicial Ethics: When Can a Judge's Spouse Practice Law in His Court
Explore the ethical boundaries for judges' spouses practicing law, based on Philippine Supreme Court rulings and the Code of Judicial Conduct.
Parental Authority vs Child Abuse: Trust and Protection Boundaries
Supreme Court affirms death penalty for father who raped his 9-year-old daughter, clarifying parental authority does not excuse incestuous rape.
Prescription in Anti-Graft Cases: When Does the Clock Start Ticking?
The Supreme Court clarifies when the prescriptive period for anti-graft cases begins, distinguishing discovery from commission of the offense.
Bouncing Checks Law: When Courts May Impose Fine Instead of Imprisonment
The Supreme Court clarifies that under BP 22, courts may impose only a fine instead of imprisonment, depending on the circumstances.
Acceptance Over Refusal When Depositing A Check Establishes Tender OF Payment
A creditor who accepts and deposits a fully funded check tendered as payment cannot later treat it as a deposit. Philippine Supreme Court ruling explained.
Bouncing Checks Law: When Courts May Impose Fine Instead of Imprisonment
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on B.P. 22 violations explains when fines replace imprisonment and clarifies due process rights in bouncing checks cases.
When Medical Evidence Is Absent: Conviction for Rape Based on Victim's Testimony
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction despite normal medical findings, explaining why a child victim's testimony can be enough.
Rape Under the Flyover: Corroborating Testimony in Child Sexual Abuse Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction of a street child, explaining why medical findings are not required and how the victim's testimony stands.
Unmasking Corruption: Statute of Limitations and the Discovery Rule in Graft Cases
When does the 15-year prescription period for graft cases begin? The Supreme Court explains the discovery rule for behest loans.
Simple Neglect of Duty: How Philippine Courts Distinguish Administrative Offenses
Philippine Retirement Authority v. Rupa clarifies when a public officer's delay is simple neglect, not conduct prejudicial to the service.
Circumstantial Evidence and Conviction: When Proof Falls Short of Rape With Homicide
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when circumstantial evidence suffices for homicide but not rape with homicide conviction.
When Immediate Court Action Is Allowed: Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies Explained
The Supreme Court explains when the exhaustion of administrative remedies rule may be set aside, using a teacher's dismissal case as an example.
Cancellation of Bail: Absence of Counsel Is Not a Ground for Detention
Philippine Supreme Court rules that a judge cannot cancel bail or order detention solely because the accused's counsel failed to appear at a hearing.
Corporate Residence vs Actual Place of Business: Determining Proper Venue in Damage Suits
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a corporation's residence for venue purposes is its principal office stated in the articles of incorporation, not its actual place of business.