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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Rape Conviction Affirmed THE Critical Role OF Victim Testimony IN Statutory Rape Cases
Protecting the Vulnerable: Statutory Rape and the Preservation of Child Welfare in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms six counts of statutory rape, underscoring that a child's consent is immaterial and that young victims' testimony deserves full credence.
Statutory Rape in the Philippines: Protecting Children and Upholding Justice
The Supreme Court affirms six convictions for statutory rape, clarifying how Philippine law protects minors and assesses child testimony.
Moral Ascendancy as a Substitute for Force in Child Rape Cases
Philippine Supreme Court explains how an uncle's moral ascendancy over a child victim substitutes for force or intimidation in statutory rape.
Parental Authority vs. Child's Rights: Redefining Consent in Statutory Rape Cases
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that a stepfather's common-law status affects rape penalties, not the victim's consent or conviction.
Statutory Rape: Why Proving Familial Relationship Matters in Aggravated Cases
A Supreme Court ruling shows that in statutory rape, the qualifying circumstance of relationship must be proven beyond reasonable doubt, not merely alleged.
Statutory Rape Penetration IS Required FOR Consummation Attempted Rape Defined
The Supreme Court clarifies that penetration, not mere touching, is required for consummated statutory rape, explaining attempted rape rules.
Statutory Rape Consent Irrelevant When Victim IS Underage
Reasonable Doubt Acquittal in Statutory Rape Case Due to Inconsistent Testimony
Supreme Court acquits father in statutory rape case, ruling that inconsistent testimony and intact hymen created reasonable doubt.
Protecting Children: The Weight of Testimony in Statutory Rape Cases in the Philippines
How a child victim's credible testimony can convict in statutory rape cases, and why forensic exams must be child-sensitive.
Statutory Rape by an Uncle: Supreme Court Upholds Conviction and Death Penalty
The Supreme Court affirms the death penalty for an uncle who raped his seven-year-old niece, clarifying rules on statutory rape, alibi, and damages.
Parental Authority VS Statutory Rape Allegation OF Minority Must BE Explicit FOR Qualified Rape Conviction
SC rules minority must be alleged in information for qualified rape; Laciste convicted of simple rape, not death penalty.
The Boundaries of Consent: Statutory Rape and the Exploitation of Minors in the Philippines
The Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Jalosjos clarifies that statutory rape applies regardless of consent, especially when minors are exploited.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Supreme Court Upholds Statutory Rape Conviction Despite Reporting Delay
The Supreme Court affirms a statutory rape conviction, ruling that a victim's delay in reporting the crime does not automatically undermine her credibility.
Delayed Reporting in Statutory Rape: When Delay Does Not Destroy Victim Credibility
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why delayed reporting of statutory rape does not automatically undermine a minor victim's credibility.
Reevaluating Guilt Statutory Rape vs Kidnapping with Rape in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when a sexual offense against a minor is statutory rape rather than kidnapping with rape, and the penalties that follow.
Beyond Consensual Proving: The Qualification of Step-Parent Relationship in Statutory Rape Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that a step-parent relationship in statutory rape must be proven beyond reasonable doubt, not just by testimony.
Parental Authority vs Filial Rights: Consent Boundaries in Statutory Rape Cases
A father's rape of his 14-year-old daughter clarifies consent, parental authority, and split appellate jurisdiction in Philippine law.
Defining the Boundaries of Rape Penetration as a Necessary Element in Statutory Rape Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that touching the labia, not mere epidermal contact, is required to consummate statutory rape.
Protecting the Vulnerable: The Supreme Court's Stance on Rape of a Child with Epilepsy
The Supreme Court affirms the conviction of a man for four counts of statutory rape against a 10-year-old girl with epilepsy, clarifying rules on delay in reporting, alibi, and damages.
Statutory Rape: Why Consent Is Irrelevant When the Victim Is Under Twelve
Philippine law treats sex with a child under 12 as statutory rape—consent is immaterial. The Supreme Court explains why in People v. Ablaneda.
Breach of Trust: Examining the Boundaries of Sexual Abuse and Statutory Rape in Domestic Settings
A look at how the Supreme Court distinguishes statutory rape from acts of lasciviousness, and why a stepfather's breach of trust matters.
Statutory Rape Consenting Does NOT Matter When THE Victim IS Underage
Explaining why consent is irrelevant in statutory rape, and how Philippine courts distinguish attempted from consummated rape.
Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Lack of Full Penetration: The Importance of Touching in Statutory Rape Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that slight penetration of the labia is enough to consummate rape, even without full vaginal penetration.