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.
Positive Identification Over Alibi: When Witness Testimony Prevails in Murder Cases
The Supreme Court explains why positive identification by eyewitnesses outweighs alibi and denial in murder cases, affirming a conviction for treachery.
Conviction Upheld on Circumstantial Evidence in Carnapping-Murder Case
The Supreme Court explains when circumstantial evidence suffices for conviction and why unproven aggravating circumstances mean reclusion perpetua, not death.
Circumstantial Evidence and Murder Conviction: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
Explaining how circumstantial evidence can establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt in murder cases, citing People v. Diaz.
The Perils of Mistaken Identity: Alibi and Witness Credibility in Murder Convictions
A Supreme Court ruling on how positive identification outweighs alibi, and the consequences of mistaken identity in murder cases.
The Element of Surprise: Establishing Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law
A look at how the Supreme Court defines treachery in murder cases, using a 2001 decision as a guide.
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.
Treachery Defined: Justice for Victims Attacked While Defenseless
The Supreme Court explains treachery in murder cases, ruling that attacking a sleeping victim qualifies, ensuring justice for defenseless victims.
Mistaken Identity and Intoxication as Mitigating Factors in Murder Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on mistaken identity and intoxication as mitigating circumstances in murder, reducing death penalty to reclusion perpetua.
Conspiracy and Credibility: Examining Witness Testimony in Philippine Murder Cases
How the Supreme Court weighed positive identification, delayed reporting, and conspiracy in affirming murder convictions.
Eyewitness Testimony and Treachery in Philippine Murder Cases: People v. Bacus
How a single credible eyewitness can prove murder and treachery in the Philippines, explained through People v. Bacus.
Reasonable Doubt Acquittal Based on Insufficient Evidence of Conspiracy in Murder Case
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: mere presence at a crime scene does not prove conspiracy; accused acquitted on reasonable doubt.
Hired Guns and Silent Inducements: Criminal Liability in Contract Killings Under Philippine Law
A look at how Philippine courts treat hired killers and those who induce them, based on a landmark 2001 murder case.
Treachery in Philippine Law: Ensuring Justice for Victims of Sudden Attacks
How Philippine courts define treachery in murder cases, and why conspiracy requires more than mere presence at the crime scene.
Witness Credibility and the Perils of Delayed Justice: Analyzing Testimonial Inconsistencies in Murder Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on witness credibility, police blotter discrepancies, and why aggravating circumstances must be alleged in the information to justify the death penalty.
Treachery in Criminal Law: Establishing Intent in Sudden Attacks
The Supreme Court explains how sudden, unexpected attacks establish treachery in murder cases, even when attacker and victim exchange words first.
Treachery and Witness Credibility: When Conspiracy Fails in Philippine Murder Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when presence at a crime scene does not prove conspiracy in murder, and the importance of witness credibility.
Witness Credibility and Positive Identification in Murder Cases: The Cachola Case
Learn how Philippine courts weigh witness credibility, positive identification, and alibi defenses in murder cases through the Cachola ruling.
The Limits of Alibi: Proving Impossibility in Criminal Defense
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why alibi fails against positive identification in murder cases, explaining the legal standard for impossibility.
Eyewitness Credibility and Circumstantial Evidence in Murder Convictions
How Philippine courts weigh eyewitness testimony and circumstantial evidence to convict in murder cases, explained through People v. Capitle.
When Silence Is Not Acquiescence: Fear and Delayed Testimony in Murder Cases
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when fear justifies delayed testimony and how incomplete self-defense works in homicide cases.
Silence Isn't Always Acquiescence: Delayed Witness Testimony in Murder Cases
When a witness stays silent for years, does that weaken a murder conviction? The Supreme Court explains when delay is excusable.
Media Confessions and Treachery: Examining the Admissibility of TV Broadcasts in Murder Convictions
How the Supreme Court treated a TV confession in a murder case, and the rules on treachery, unlicensed firearms, and damages.
Conspiracy and Liability in Philippine Murder Cases: The Uriarte Doctrine
A look at how Philippine courts handle conspiracy, witness credibility, and conflicting medical evidence in homicide cases.
When Flight Equals Guilt Examining Evidence AND Treachery IN Philippine Murder Cases
The Supreme Court affirms murder convictions, clarifying flight, treachery, and evidence rules in criminal cases.