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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Intent to Gain in Robbery: When Helping a Neighbor Is Not a Crime
The Supreme Court acquitted a man of robbery for helping a neighbor move property, ruling that intent to gain must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Conspiracy and Liability in Rape: Understanding Shared Criminal Intent
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies conspiracy rules in rape cases, explaining when co-accused share criminal liability.
Conspiracy AND Intent Determining Liability IN Criminal Cases
Treachery IN Plain Sight Analyzing Criminal Intent IN Murder Cases
Overt Acts and Attempted Rape: Delineating Intent and Execution
The Supreme Court clarifies when an accused's overt acts amount to attempted rape, not a lesser offense, in Rait v. People.
TAX Refund Eligibility THE Significance OF Declaring Intent IN Income TAX Returns
Simple vs Destructive Arson: Intent, Information Adequacy, and Penalty
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies simple vs destructive arson, emphasizing the information's allegations control the crime charged and penalty.
Self Defense Claim Fails Why Intent AND Evidence Matter IN Murder Cases
Learn why the Supreme Court rejected a self-defense claim in a murder case, emphasizing intent and evidence.
Explosives Intent and Complex Crimes: Murder, Frustrated Murder, and Attempted Murder in the Philippines
A single explosive act can yield one complex crime—murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder—under Philippine law.
When Doubt Benefits THE Accused Establishing Intent IN Physical Injury Cases
Arson Proven by Circumstantial Evidence: Insurance Claims and Intent
The Supreme Court explains how circumstantial evidence, including over-insurance, can prove destructive arson beyond reasonable doubt.
Equitable Mortgage vs Sale With Right to Repurchase: Price and Intent
When is a "sale with right to repurchase" really an equitable mortgage? The Supreme Court explains the role of price adequacy and intent.
SALN Good Faith vs Intent to Deceive: Lessons from Atty. Cruz Case
A lawyer's suspension for dishonesty in the SALN context, and the difference between good faith and intent to deceive.
Equitable Mortgage vs Absolute Sale: Intent and Prescription in Property Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies when a sale is an equitable mortgage and why fraud claims can prescribe. Learn the rules.
Theft vs Robbery: Intent to Gain and Positive Identification in Philippine Criminal Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies theft elements, intent to gain, and why positive identification beats denial and alibi in criminal cases.
Bouncing Checks LAW Intent NOT A Defense Strict Liability Prevails
Conspiracy and Treachery in Murder: Collective Intent Under Philippine Law
How Philippine courts infer conspiracy and treachery from concerted acts, and the damages rules in murder convictions.
Shared Intent Shared Liability Understanding Conspiracy in Philippine Criminal Law
Learn how conspiracy works in Philippine criminal law, when co-accused share liability, and what the Supreme Court says about proving a common design.
Robbery With Homicide: When Intent to Rob and Resulting Death Define the Crime
The Supreme Court clarifies the elements of robbery with homicide, why attempted murder is absorbed, and the penalties imposed.
Loan or Sale? How Philippine Courts Determine the True Intent of a Contract
A Supreme Court ruling shows that reformation requires proof of mistake, fraud, or accident — and that courts will not rewrite a contract simply because one party regrets it.
When Circumstantial Evidence Leads to Conviction: Understanding Parricide in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains how circumstantial evidence can prove parricide and intent to kill in People v. Castillo.
Intent vs Action: Differentiating Attempted From Frustrated Murder in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a stabbing is attempted, not frustrated, murder—and why the subjective phase matters.
B.P. 22 Issuing a Worthless Check Is a Crime Regardless of Intent
The Supreme Court affirms that issuing a worthless check is a crime under B.P. 22, regardless of the issuer's intent or purpose.
Theft Is Consummated Upon Taking: Debunking the Myth of Frustrated Theft
The Supreme Court clarifies that theft is consummated the moment the offender takes property with intent to gain, even if later apprehended.