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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Self-Defense and Treachery in Homicide Cases: What the Supreme Court Requires
Understand when self-defense fails in Philippine criminal law and how treachery qualifies a killing as murder, based on a 2016 Supreme Court ruling.
Treachery in Murder Cases: Intent, Witness Credibility, and the Weight of Alibi
The Supreme Court affirms a murder conviction for a shooting qualified by treachery, clarifying witness credibility and the defense of alibi.
When Eyewitness Testimony AND Unlicensed Firearms Determine Guilt IN Murder Cases
Positive Identification and Alibi in Murder Cases: Lessons from People v. Cuesta
The Supreme Court explains when positive identification prevails over alibi and why sudden attacks do not always amount to treachery.
Treachery Defined: Ensuring Justice for Victims of Stealth Attacks in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains treachery in murder cases, ruling that killing a sleeping victim with a bolo qualifies as treachery.
Murder Conviction Affirmed: Treachery, Alibi, and Damages in People v. Parba
Supreme Court affirms murder conviction based on positive identification, rejecting alibi and clarifying damages in treachery cases.
Treachery and Eyewitness Testimony: Conviction for Murder Beyond Reasonable Doubt
How the Supreme Court upheld a murder conviction based on eyewitness identification and treachery, rejecting alibi defenses.
Circumstantial Evidence and Murder Conviction: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
The Supreme Court explains when circumstantial evidence suffices to convict for murder, applying the Rules of Court standard.
Bail and the Burden of Proof: Examining Treachery in Murder Cases
When can an accused charged with murder still get bail? The Supreme Court explains the burden of proving treachery.
Witness Credibility and Treachery Affirming Murder Conviction Despite Eyewitness Limitations
Supreme Court affirms murder conviction, ruling that a lone eyewitness's testimony, despite limitations, suffices to prove guilt and treachery.
Bail and Treachery: Reassessing Provisional Liberty in Murder Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when bail may be granted in murder cases and how treachery must be proven by strong evidence.
Abuse of Superior Strength in Murder: Key Lessons from People v. De Castro
The Supreme Court explains when abuse of superior strength qualifies a killing as murder under Philippine law.
Eyewitness Testimony and Treachery: Upholding Murder Conviction Despite Credibility Challenges
The Supreme Court affirms murder convictions based on credible eyewitness testimony, explaining how treachery qualifies the crime and why minor inconsistencies do not defeat a prosecution.
Self-Defense and Treachery: Unlawful Aggression as the Foundation of a Justifying Circumstance
How the Supreme Court clarified that self-defense requires unlawful aggression, and why treachery can still qualify a killing as murder.
Dying Declarations AND Treachery Establishing Guilt IN Murder Cases Under Philippine LAW
Treachery and Self-Defense: Understanding the Elements of Murder in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains treachery and self-defense in murder cases, using People v. Samuya as a guide.
Passion's Lingering Flame: Redefining Mitigating Circumstances in Homicide Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that passion and obfuscation may build over time, not just in the heat of the moment, reducing murder to homicide.
Treachery Unveiled Distinguishing Homicide From Murder IN Sudden Altercations
Self-Defense vs. Criminal Intent: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Homicide Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when self-defense fails and how treachery qualifies killing as murder, not homicide.
The Reach of Conspiracy in Establishing Guilt for Murder
Explaining how conspiracy makes every participant equally liable for murder, even those who did not fire the fatal shot.
The Weight of Witness Testimony in Philippine Murder Convictions
How positive eyewitness identification outweighs alibi and denial in Philippine robbery with homicide cases, explained through a Supreme Court ruling.
Intent to Kill: Distinguishing Attempted Murder From Physical Injuries in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains how intent to kill separates attempted murder from physical injuries, and what evidence proves it.
Self-Defense Claims in Murder Cases: Proving Unlawful Aggression in Philippine Courts
The Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense fails in murder cases, explaining the burden of proof and the elements required to invoke this justifying circumstance.
Treachery in Criminal Law: The Element of Surprise in Murder Convictions
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that treachery does not require an attack from behind—even a frontal assault can qualify as murder when it is sudden and unexpected.