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.
Shared Guilt Establishing Conspiracy in Robbery With Homicide Under Philippine Law
When does a getaway accomplice become liable for murder? Philippine law on conspiracy in robbery with homicide explained through a Supreme Court ruling.
Navigating Illegal Recruitment: Understanding Your Rights and Risks in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts define illegal recruitment, the penalties for large-scale offenses, and practical tips to avoid scams.
Reclusion Perpetua in Philippine Law: Why It Remains an Indivisible Penalty
The Supreme Court clarifies that reclusion perpetua remains an indivisible penalty despite RA 7659, explaining its true duration and application in drug cases.
Death Penalty in the Philippines: Compelling Reasons and Heinous Crimes
The Supreme Court clarifies when the death penalty applies for heinous crimes and why reclusion perpetua remains an indivisible penalty under Philippine law.
When Is Dismissal Justified for Employee Misconduct in the Philippines
Philippine law on employee misconduct: when dismissal is justified, what constitutes serious misconduct, and the due process requirements employers must follow.
Passion Provocation and Criminal Liability: Understanding Homicide in the Philippines
When does anger mitigate a killing? The Supreme Court explains passion or obfuscation, treachery, and homicide in People v. Valles.
Bail After Conviction: Can You Be Released Pending Appeal in the Philippines?
Learn when bail is allowed after conviction in the Philippines, especially when the charge is capital but the conviction is for a lesser offense.
Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies: When Can You Skip the Line to Court?
Learn when the exhaustion rule applies, its exceptions, and why a replevin suit failed against DENR forfeiture.
Robbery With Homicide: Understanding the Composite Crime in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that robbery with homicide is a single composite crime, regardless of how many people are killed.
Judicial Accountability: Supreme Court Reprimands Judge for Undue Delay in Case Resolution
Supreme Court holds judges accountable for delays, reprimanding a judge who failed to decide cases within the reglementary period.
Conspiracy in Philippine Criminal Law: How Joint Criminal Liability Is Established
Explaining how Philippine courts infer conspiracy from concerted acts, using the 1996 case of People v. Villanueva and Durana.
Parricide in the Philippines: Proving Marriage and the Effect of an Affidavit of Desistance
The Supreme Court explains how to prove marriage in parricide cases and why an affidavit of desistance does not erase criminal liability.
Juvenile Justice Understanding Mitigation AND Criminal Liability IN THE Philippines
How Philippine courts treat juvenile offenders, minority as mitigating circumstance, and criminal liability under the law.
Affidavits of Desistance and Witness Recantations: Their Limited Impact on Philippine Criminal Cases
Philippine courts view affidavits of desistance and witness recantations with disfavor. Learn why from People v. Ballabare.
Robbery With Homicide: Conspiracy and Constitutional Rights in Philippine Law
A Philippine Supreme Court case explains conspiracy in robbery with homicide and the exclusionary rule for evidence from illegal arrests.
Understanding Evident Premeditation and Self-Dense Claims in Philippine Murder Cases
Learn how Philippine courts prove evident premeditation and evaluate self-defense claims, based on a 1996 Supreme Court ruling.
Mental Incapacity as a Ground for Dismissal: The Alagaban Case and Due Process in Philippine Labor Law
Philippine law allows dismissal for mental incapacity, but only with strict due process. The Alagaban case shows how courts balance employee rights and workplace efficiency.
Understanding Conspiracy and Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: A Case Study
How the Supreme Court applied conspiracy and treachery in a murder case, explained in plain language for everyday readers.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Sudden Attacks and Intent
The Supreme Court explains when a sudden, unexpected attack qualifies as treachery, aggravating a killing to murder under Philippine law.
Gross Ignorance of the Law: When Judges Fail to Follow Basic Legal Procedures
A judge who issued a warrant of arrest in a summary procedure case was fined for gross ignorance of the law. Learn the rules.
Treachery (Alevosia) in Philippine Murder Cases: The Apawan Ruling Explained
Learn how treachery (alevosia) qualifies a killing as murder under Philippine law, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in People vs. Apawan.
Illegal Recruitment and Estafa in the Philippines: Key Lessons from a Supreme Court Case
Learn how Philippine courts handle illegal recruitment and estafa, and what job seekers must know to avoid scams.
Retroactive Application of Reduced Penalties: A Guide to R.A. 7659
When can a final sentence be reduced by a new law? The Supreme Court explains the retroactive effect of R.A. 7659 on drug penalties.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Intent and Qualifying Circumstances
The Supreme Court explains when treachery qualifies a killing as murder, and why sudden attacks alone do not prove it.