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.
Credible Testimony in Rape Cases: Lessons from People v. Buenaflor
The Supreme Court acquitted a rape accused due to inconsistent, improbable testimony. Credibility is key.
The Power of a Child's Testimony in Sustaining Rape Convictions Based on Credible Accounts
How a seven-year-old's clear and consistent testimony can sustain a rape conviction, even without a broken hymen.
Custodial Rape: Consent and Trust Betrayed in Step-Grandfather's Conviction
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction of step-grandfather, ruling that a child victim's credible testimony suffices even without a ruptured hymen.
Voluntariness and Comprehension in Guilty Pleas: Protecting the Accused in Capital Offenses
The Supreme Court clarifies what a "searching inquiry" requires when an accused pleads guilty to a capital offense, using a rape case as the backdrop.
Breach of Trust: The Supreme Court's Stance on Incestuous Rape and Parental Authority
A stepfather's rape conviction upheld, but death penalty reduced to reclusion perpetua for failure to prove minority and relationship.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Credibility of Victim's Testimony and the Judge's Role
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, clarifying that a credible victim's testimony alone suffices and that a judge who did not hear all witnesses can still validly decide.
Rape Conviction Upheld: The Duty to Protect Children From Abuse Within the Family
The Supreme Court affirms the death penalty for a stepfather who raped his 9-year-old stepdaughter, underscoring the duty to protect children from abuse within the family.
Rape With Deadly Weapon: Victim's Testimony Stands Despite Lack of Physical Evidence
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction with scythe, holding victim's credible testimony sufficient despite absence of weapon or physical evidence.
Presence vs Participation: When Mere Presence Creates Criminal Liability in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when mere presence at a crime scene constitutes conspiracy versus innocent observation, using a rape case as example.
Stepfather's Rape Conviction Upheld on Credible Victim Testimony
SC affirms stepfather's rape conviction, ruling a credible child victim's testimony alone suffices for conviction beyond reasonable doubt.
Breach of Trust Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Lack of Witnesses
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on credible victim testimony, even without eyewitnesses or medical examination.
Conviction for Incestuous Rape: When Multiple Counts Arise from One Information
A father's conviction for six counts of incestuous rape shows how credible victim testimony and proof of minority determine the penalty.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Credibility of Minor Victim’s Testimony in Rape Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, underscoring that a minor victim's straightforward testimony prevails over alibi and denial.
Beyond Words: Establishing Rape Through Credible Testimony and Circumstantial Evidence
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how credible witness testimony and circumstantial evidence can establish rape convictions.
Boastful Rapist's Conviction Upheld: Delay in Reporting Rape Explained by Threats
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction despite a five-year delay in reporting, ruling that credible threats explain the delay.
Beyond Reasonable Doubt: The High Standard for Rape Convictions in the Philippines
Philippine courts require proof beyond reasonable doubt for rape convictions. This article explains the standard and what it means for accusers and the accused.
The Lone Testimony Upholding Rape Conviction Despite Delayed Reporting
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on the victim's credible lone testimony, despite a six-month delay in reporting the crime.
Rape Conviction Requires Proof of Specific Dates Alleged in Information
Supreme Court ruling on proving specific dates in rape and acts of lasciviousness cases under Philippine law.
Rape vs Acts of Lasciviousness: Proving the Crime Beyond Reasonable Doubt
How Philippine courts distinguish rape from acts of lasciviousness and what evidence proves carnal knowledge beyond reasonable doubt.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Credibility of the Accuser and the Role of Physical Evidence
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, ruling that a credible victim's testimony suffices even without physical evidence and despite delayed reporting.
Incestuous Rape: Why Alleging Minority in the Information Matters
A father's rape conviction was reduced from death to reclusion perpetua because the Information failed to properly allege the victim's minority.
Protecting Children: Understanding Qualified Rape and Parental Liability in the Philippines
The Supreme Court affirms the death penalty for a father who raped his daughter, clarifying qualified rape and accomplice liability.
Rape Conviction: Consent, Intimidation, and Victim Testimony in Philippine Law
How the Supreme Court weighed intimidation, delayed reporting, and victim credibility in affirming a rape conviction.
Rape Conviction and Proof of Victim's Age: People v. Mayorga
SC ruling on rape, death penalty, and the need for independent proof of victim's age below seven years.