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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Murder or Homicide: Understanding Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law from People v. Templo
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a sudden attack amounts to treachery—and when it is only homicide, not murder.
Conspiracy and Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Lessons from People v. Sinda
How the Supreme Court applied conspiracy and treachery in People v. Sinda, and what it means for criminal liability in the Philippines.
Self-Defense or Murder: Unpacking Unlawful Aggression and Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law
A Philippine Army soldier's claim of self-defense fails when the victim was shot from behind. Learn the legal requisites of unlawful aggression and treachery.
Positive Identification in Philippine Criminal Law: Why Witness Testimony Is Key to Conviction
How the Supreme Court reaffirmed that credible witness testimony outweighs alibi and denial in rape convictions, shaping Philippine criminal law.
Credibility of Deaf-Mute Witness Testimony in Rape Cases: Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
How the Supreme Court affirmed rape convictions based on a deaf-mute eyewitness's testimony, setting rules on witness credibility in Philippine criminal law.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Unexpected Attacks and the Complex Crime of Murder with Abortion
The Supreme Court explains treachery in murder cases and how a single criminal act can produce the complex crime of murder with abortion.
Treachery and Conspiracy in Philippine Criminal Law: Understanding the Villarba Case
The Villarba case clarifies how Philippine courts treat treachery and conspiracy in murder prosecutions, shaping criminal liability.
Conspiracy in Philippine Criminal Law: When Words Lead to a Homicide Conviction
A Supreme Court ruling shows how conspiracy in Philippine law makes all robbers liable for homicide, even without pulling the trigger.
Employer Subsidiary Liability in Philippine Criminal Law: The Catacutan Doctrine
Philippine employers can be held subsidiarily liable for damages from employees' criminal negligence. Learn the rules from Catacutan v. Heirs of Kadusale.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Understanding Sudden Attacks and the Crime of Murder
Learn how Philippine courts define treachery in murder cases, using the Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Lopez as a guide.
Conspiracy in Philippine Criminal Law: How Group Actions Can Lead to Equal Liability
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on conspiracy, group liability, and when co-accused share equal criminal responsibility.
Sanctity of the Home: Understanding Dwelling as an Aggravating Circumstance in Philippine Criminal Law
The Supreme Court explains when dwelling aggravates a crime, even if the victim is not the owner of the home.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Why Details Matter in Proving Murder
A Supreme Court ruling on treachery in murder cases, showing why precise facts matter in proving qualifying circumstances.
Navigating Accomplice Liability in Philippine Criminal Law: Degrees of Participation Explained
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a person is an accomplice rather than a principal, and why treachery and evident premeditation must be proven beyond doubt.
Unreliable Eyewitness Testimony and the Presumption of Innocence in Philippine Criminal Law
The Supreme Court acquits three men convicted of robbery with homicide, ruling that inconsistent eyewitness testimony cannot overcome the presumption of innocence.
Battered Woman Syndrome as Self-Defense: The Landmark Genosa Case
The Supreme Court's Genosa ruling opened the door for battered woman syndrome as a defense in Philippine criminal law.
From Brawl to Murder: Conspiracy and Abuse of Superior Strength in Philippine Criminal Law
The Supreme Court explains when a drunken brawl becomes murder through conspiracy and abuse of superior strength under Philippine law.
When Is Circumstantial Evidence Enough for a Conviction in Philippine Criminal Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when circumstantial evidence suffices for conviction, using an estafa case against a judge as the backdrop.
Principals vs Accomplices: Degrees of Participation in Philippine Criminal Law
The Supreme Court explains the difference between principals and accomplices in Philippine criminal law, and how courts determine each participant's liability.
Rape Case Dismissed? Why Proper Legal Information Is Crucial in Philippine Criminal Law
A rape conviction reduced to reclusion perpetua shows why qualifying circumstances must be alleged in the information. Learn the legal rules.
Reasonable Doubt Safeguarding Justice IN Philippine Criminal LAW
When prosecution evidence is weak, alibi gains strength, and the accused must be acquitted. The Giganto case explains.
Murder or Homicide: Understanding Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when treachery qualifies killing as murder, using the Antonio v. People case as a guide.
Self-Defense vs. Unlawful Killing: Homicide and Justification in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when killing is murder, not self-defense, and how treachery is proven in Philippine criminal law.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Intent and Victim Vulnerability
Understand treachery and abuse of superior strength in Philippine criminal law through the Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Lazarte.