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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Proving Guilt Beyond Doubt: How Circumstantial Evidence Works in Philippine Criminal Law
Philippine Supreme Court explains how a lone eyewitness's positive identification outweighs alibi in murder convictions.
When Self-Defense Claims Fail: Treachery and Murder in Philippine Criminal Law
A Supreme Court ruling explains why a security guard's self-defense plea failed and how treachery qualified killings as murder.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Understanding Alevosia in Murder Cases
Learn how Philippine courts define treachery (alevosia) in murder cases, with key rules from a Supreme Court ruling.
Unlawful Aggression Is Key to Self-Defense Claims in Philippine Law
Understand why unlawful aggression is the foundation of self-defense in Philippine criminal law, explained through a Supreme Court ruling.
When Is a Frontal Attack Treacherous? Understanding Alevosia in Philippine Criminal Law
A frontal shooting can still be treachery if sudden and unexpected, explains the Supreme Court in People v. Quiboyen.
Conspiracy in Philippine Criminal Law: How Group Actions Lead to Collective Liability for Carnapping and Murde
The Supreme Court explains how conspiracy makes each member of a group equally liable for crimes committed during a joint criminal enterprise.
Self-Defense or Murder: Justifying Circumstances and Conspiracy in Philippine Criminal Law
A guide to self-defense, conspiracy, and treachery in Philippine criminal law, explained through the Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Bitoon.
Unraveling Conspiracy: Eyewitness Testimony and Circumstantial Evidence in Philippine Criminal Law
How the Supreme Court defined conspiracy through circumstantial evidence and eyewitness testimony in People v. Bermudez, and why treachery must be proven.
Navigating the Insanity Defense in Philippine Law: Burden of Proof and Presumption of Sanity
The Supreme Court clarifies the insanity defense in Philippine criminal law, emphasizing the presumption of sanity and the accused's burden to prove insanity beyond reasonable doubt.
When Presence Becomes Participation: Understanding Conspiracy in Philippine Criminal Law
Explore how the Supreme Court in People v. Sanchez defined conspiracy, distinguishing mere presence from concerted action in criminal liability.
When Self-Defense Fails: The Limits of Justifiable Force in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when self-defense fails and the limits of justifiable force in Philippine criminal law.
Homicide vs Murder: Understanding the Nuances of Intent in Philippine Criminal Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when a killing is homicide, not murder, and why qualifying circumstances must be proven beyond doubt.
When Accident Doesnt Excuse Murder Understanding Parricide AND Intent IN Philippine LAW
A police officer shoots his wife, claims accident, but the Supreme Court affirms parricide. Learn how intent and evidence work in Philippine criminal law.
Conspiracy in Philippine Criminal Law: Establishing Indispensable Cooperation
Learn how Philippine courts establish conspiracy in criminal cases, using the 1999 rape decision in People v. Banela as a guide.
Positive Identification in Philippine Criminal Law: Why Eyewitness Testimony Matters
Learn how Philippine courts weigh eyewitness testimony, positive identification, denial, and alibi in criminal cases, based on a 1998 Supreme Court ruling.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails: Burden of Proof and Evidence in Philippine Criminal Law
A cattle rustling conviction overturned on appeal because the prosecution relied on hearsay and uncorroborated testimony. Learn the rules on burden of proof.
Positive Identification in Philippine Criminal Law: Why Alibis Often Fail
A 1998 Supreme Court ruling shows why positive identification trumps weak defenses like alibi and denial in Philippine criminal cases.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Understanding Intent and Defenseless Victims
The Supreme Court explains treachery, conspiracy, and self-defense in a murder case involving three brothers who shot an unarmed victim.
When Self-Defense Fails: Understanding Burden of Proof in Philippine Criminal Law
A Supreme Court ruling explains why accused persons claiming self-defense must prove it, and how courts assess such claims.
Treachery in Criminal Law: Understanding Sudden Attack in Philippine Murder Cases
The Supreme Court explains treachery in murder cases through a sudden stabbing attack, clarifying the elements and legal consequences.
When A Back Attack Isnt Always Murder Examining Treachery IN Philippine Criminal LAW
The Supreme Court clarifies that a shot to the back does not automatically mean treachery, explaining when killing is homicide instead of murder.
Conspiracy in Philippine Criminal Law: Establishing Shared Intent in Illegal Recruitment Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies how conspiracy works in large-scale illegal recruitment, holding co-conspirators liable even without receiving money.
Homicide vs Murder in the Philippines: Distinguishing Intent and Treachery in Criminal Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when a killing is homicide, not murder, and why treachery must be proven conclusively.
Alibi Defense in Philippine Criminal Law: Proving Impossibility
Understand the alibi defense in Philippine criminal law, its legal basis, and why courts require proof of physical impossibility.