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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Disbarment for Misusing Blank Checks: Dishonesty and Abuse of Authority
A lawyer who filled up borrowers' blank checks and filed baseless criminal cases was disbarred for gross misconduct and dishonesty.
Supreme Court on Homicide Conviction and Credibility of Witness Testimony
The Supreme Court upholds a homicide conviction, explaining how courts weigh witness credibility and medical evidence in criminal cases.
Grave Misconduct and Dismissal of Court Personnel: Acquittal in Criminal Case Does Not Bar Administrative Liab
The Supreme Court explains why a court aide's acquittal in a rape case did not prevent his dismissal for grave misconduct from judicial service.
Conspiracy AND Intent Determining Liability IN Criminal Cases
Rape Conviction Affirmed on Credibility of Testimony and Weak Defense of Alibi
Supreme Court affirms murder conviction, explaining why credible eyewitness testimony outweighs alibi and denial in Philippine criminal cases.
Authority TO Appeal THE Solicitor Generals Exclusive Role IN Criminal Cases
Plea Bargaining in Criminal Cases: When Courts Must Approve the Deal
The Supreme Court clarifies when trial courts must approve plea bargaining deals, using a Sandiganbayan case involving a municipal employee.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Upholding Conviction in Child Rape Case Despite Retraction
Philippine Supreme Court affirms child rape conviction despite victim's retraction, explaining why affidavits of desistance carry little weight in criminal cases.
Treachery in Criminal Law: Understanding Its Application in Murder Cases
Learn how treachery qualifies murder under Philippine law, its elements, and how courts apply it in criminal cases.
Partnership Disputes: Fiduciary Duties, Equitable Remedies, and the Right to Present Evidence
Supreme Court ruling on partnership disputes, fiduciary duties, equitable remedies, and the prosecution's right to present evidence in criminal cases.
Theft vs Robbery: Intent to Gain and Positive Identification in Philippine Criminal Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies theft elements, intent to gain, and why positive identification beats denial and alibi in criminal cases.
Judicial Integrity: When a Judge Must Inhibit From a Case
A judge who hears a criminal case where his wife is the private complainant violates judicial conduct rules and must pay a fine.
Positive Identification Prevails Over Alibi in Homicide Cases: Lessons from Lascano v. People
The Supreme Court reaffirms that credible eyewitness identification outweighs alibi and denial in criminal cases, explaining why appellate courts respect trial court credibility findings.
Probable Cause VS Grave Abuse OF Discretion Navigating THE Prosecutors Role IN Criminal Cases
Administrative vs Criminal Liability: Why Dismissal of One Does Not Dismiss the Other
A single act can trigger both administrative and criminal cases. The Supreme Court explains why dismissal of one does not automatically end the other.
When Alibi Falls Short: The Weight of Credible Eyewitness Testimony in Philippine Criminal Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a homicide conviction based on a single eyewitness's credible testimony, explaining why alibi failed.
Prejudicial Question in Philippine Courts: When Civil Cases Suspend Criminal Proceedings
Learn when Philippine courts suspend criminal cases due to prejudicial questions, and why appeal, not certiorari, is the proper remedy.
Upholding Final Judgments: The Limits of Annulment Based on Negligence
The Supreme Court clarifies that Rule 47 annulment of judgment does not apply to criminal cases, and counsel's negligence is not extrinsic fraud.
Counsel Negligence vs Extrinsic Fraud: Protecting Rights in Philippine Criminal Proceedings
Supreme Court clarifies when a lawyer's negligence amounts to extrinsic fraud in criminal cases, and why annulment of judgment is not available.
When Prosecutors Must Be Compelled: Grave Abuse of Discretion in Criminal Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may compel prosecutors to include accused persons in an Information, explaining the limits of prosecutorial discretion.
Malicious Prosecution: The High Bar for Damages in the Philippines
Learn when filing a baseless criminal case can lead to damages for malicious prosecution in the Philippines, and the strict legal standards courts apply.
When Bounced Checks by a Corporation Trigger Forum Shopping Risks
Learn when filing separate civil and criminal cases over bounced corporate checks constitutes forum shopping, and the risks involved.
Reopening Criminal Cases in the Philippines: The Hearing Requirement Under Rule 119
When can a Philippine court reopen a criminal case before judgment? The rules require a hearing—and the Supreme Court has enforced that requirement.
Why Courts Must Scrutinize Motions to Withdraw Criminal Cases in the Philippines
The Supreme Court affirms that inordinate delay in preliminary investigation violates an accused's constitutional right to due process and speedy disposition.