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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Navigating the Insanity Defense in Philippine Law: Burden of Proof and Presumption of Sanity
The Supreme Court clarifies the insanity defense in Philippine criminal law, emphasizing the presumption of sanity and the accused's burden to prove insanity beyond reasonable doubt.
Beyond Penetration: Understanding Attempted Rape Convictions in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that slight penetration is enough to consummate rape, distinguishing it from attempted rape in a father-daughter case.
Fatal Flaw in Rape Cases: Why Faulty Charges Can Reduce Penalties in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court explains how defective rape informations and weak evidence can affect penalties, using the Monfero case as guide.
Abuse of Superior Strength as an Aggravating Circumstance in Philippine Murder Cases
Learn how abuse of superior strength elevates homicide to murder under Philippine law, with key insights from a Supreme Court ruling.
Think Before You Share: Understanding Republication Libel in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when sharing or republishing a news article becomes libel, and the crucial role of malice.
Deficiency Tax Collection: When BIR Warrants Are Premature Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when BIR collection of deficiency taxes is premature, and why the OSG must represent the CIR.
Retirement Benefits in the Philippines: Understanding Vested Rights and Employee Protections
Learn how Philippine law protects retirement benefits as vested rights, and what employees and employers must know about compliance.
Homicide vs Murder: When Sudden Anger Rules Out Treachery in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling explains when a sudden, angry shooting is homicide, not murder, because treachery was not proven.
Mortgage Foreclosure After Death of a Debtor: Creditor Options in the Philippines
When a mortgagor dies, creditors have three legal options. Learn how extrajudicial foreclosure works under Philippine law.
Rape Conviction: Why Victim Testimony and Intimidation Matter in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape and sexual assault convictions, explaining how a child victim's testimony outweighs denial and alibi defenses.
Confessions to Media in Philippine Law: The Domantay Case on Custodial Investigation
When are confessions to media admissible in Philippine courts? The Domantay case explains the limits of custodial investigation rights.
Void Contracts and Official Overreach: Due Process in Philippine Law
When can public officials take over a leased public market? The Supreme Court clarifies void contracts, due process, and criminal liability under the Anti-Graft Law.
Valid Confession in Philippine Law: When Your Words Can Be Used Against You
Learn when a confession is valid and admissible in Philippine courts, and how constitutional rights during custodial investigation protect accused persons.
Bouncing Checks and Broken Promises: Understanding Estafa in Philippine Investment Schemes
Learn how the Supreme Court treats investment scams involving bouncing checks, deceit, and estafa under Philippine law.
Valid Search Warrants in the Philippines: Probable Cause and Specificity
Philippine law requires probable cause and particular description for valid search warrants. Kho v. Makalintal clarifies how specific these must be.
Grave Slander in the Philippines: Lessons from Artajos v. Court of Appeals
Learn how Philippine law punishes grave slander, the elements prosecutors must prove, and key lessons from the Supreme Court's Artajos ruling.
Credible Testimony in Rape Cases: Why Victim Accounts Matter in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms that a minor rape victim's credible, detailed testimony alone can sustain a conviction, explaining key rules on credibility.
Novation Is Not a Get-Out-of-Jail Free Card: Understanding Estafa and Criminal Liability in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when novation can extinguish criminal liability in estafa cases, and when it cannot.
Irresistible Force: When You Are Not Criminally Liable Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains when acting under irresistible force or duress exempts a person from criminal liability, acquitting a tricycle driver of robbery with homicide.
When Self-Defense Fails: The Limits of Justifiable Force in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when self-defense fails and the limits of justifiable force in Philippine criminal law.
Dying Declarations in Philippine Law: How Victim Testimony Secures Justice
Philippine courts rely on victim testimony, even without physical evidence, to convict in rape cases. Learn the rules.
Retrenchment and Redundancy in the Philippines: Employer Rights and Employee Protections
Philippine law allows retrenchment and redundancy as valid grounds for dismissal. This article explains the rules employers must follow and the protections workers retain.
Redundancy and Retrenchment: Balancing Business Viability and Employee Rights in the Philippines
Philippine law allows redundancy and retrenchment as valid grounds for dismissal, but employers must meet strict legal requirements. This article explains the rules.
Understanding Contracts of Sale vs Contracts to Sell in Philippine Property Law
Learn the key differences between contracts of sale and contracts to sell under Philippine law, and why the distinction matters for property buyers and sellers.