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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Treachery Despite Frontal Attack When Suddenness Negates Self Defense
Learn when a frontal attack can still be treacherous, and why claiming self-defense requires proving unlawful aggression with clear and convincing evidence.
Self-Defense Unproven: The Limits of Justification in Homicide Cases
When alibi and self-defense fail: how Philippine courts weigh positive identification, treachery, and degrees of homicide.
Self Defense and Credibility: Redefining Homicide Conviction in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains Philippine rules on self-defense, defense of a relative, and witness credibility in affirming a homicide conviction.
When Does Self-Defense Hold Up in Court? Examining Unlawful Aggression
The Supreme Court explains why self-defense failed in a police shooting case, and what unlawful aggression really requires.
Self-Defense: When Apparent Danger Justifies Deadly Force in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense justifies deadly force, requiring actual unlawful aggression, not just perceived threats.
Self-Defense or Murder: Understanding Justifiable Homicide in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when self-defense applies in Philippine homicide cases and why a murder charge became homicide.
When Self-Defense Fails: Unlawful Aggression and Reasonable Necessity in Philippine Law
When does self-defense hold up in Philippine courts? The Supreme Court explains unlawful aggression and reasonable necessity in People v. Dela Cruz.
Self-Defense or Murder: Unpacking Unlawful Aggression and Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law
A Philippine Army soldier's claim of self-defense fails when the victim was shot from behind. Learn the legal requisites of unlawful aggression and treachery.
Self-Defense in the Philippines: When Does It Justify Homicide?
Philippine law recognizes self-defense, but it requires unlawful aggression, reasonable necessity, and lack of provocation. Learn the rules.
When Self-Defense Claims Fall Short: Credibility in Philippine Homicide Cases
A Supreme Court ruling explains why self-defense claims fail without credible evidence, and when murder is reduced to homicide.
Unlawful Aggression in Self-Defense: Key to Avoiding Murder Charges in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court defines unlawful aggression in self-defense claims and why failing to prove it can lead to murder or homicide convictions.
Self-Defense in the Philippines: When Does It Justify Homicide?
Philippine law requires unlawful aggression, reasonable necessity, and lack of provocation for self-defense to justify homicide.
Self-Defense vs Murder: Proving Unlawful Aggression and Treachery in Philippine Homicide Cases
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when self-defense fails, how treachery is proven, and why a murder conviction became homicide.
When Self Defense Fails Understanding Unlawful Aggression AND Proportionality IN Philippine LAW
Explore when self-defense fails in Philippine law through People v. Dayuha, examining unlawful aggression and proportionality requirements.
Battered Woman Syndrome as Self-Defense: The Landmark Genosa Case
The Supreme Court's Genosa ruling opened the door for battered woman syndrome as a defense in Philippine criminal law.
Battered Woman Syndrome and Self-Defense in Philippine Parricide Cases
The Supreme Court’s ruling in People v. Genosa opened the door for battered woman syndrome as a defense in criminal cases.
Self-Defense in the Philippines: When Killing in the Heat of the Moment Becomes Homicide
Understand when a killing in the Philippines is homicide, not murder, and why self-defense requires proof of unlawful aggression.
Self-Defense in Philippine Murder Cases: When Does It Hold Up?
Philippine law requires clear proof of unlawful aggression for self-defense to succeed in murder cases, as shown in People v. Meneque.
Self-Defense in the Philippines: Understanding the Requisites for Justifiable Homicide
Learn the three requisites for self-defense in Philippine law, who bears the burden of proof, and how courts test claims of unlawful aggression.
Self-Defense vs. Unlawful Killing: Homicide and Justification in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when killing is murder, not self-defense, and how treachery is proven in Philippine criminal law.
Self-Defense in the Philippines: Burden of Proof and Unlawful Aggression Explained
Understand the burden of proof in self-defense claims under Philippine law, plus key rules on unlawful aggression and rape evidence.
Self-Defense and Conspiracy in Philippine Criminal Law: Lessons from People v. Candare
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how conspiracy and physical evidence establish guilt in murder cases, even when self-defense is claimed.
When Can You Use Force in Self-Defense? Philippine Law Explained
Philippine law on self-defense explained: when force is justified, the burden of proof, and what the Supreme Court requires.
Self-Defense and Alibi in Philippine Criminal Law: Lessons from People v. Caverte
A look at how the Supreme Court applied self-defense, alibi, treachery, and conspiracy rules in People v. Caverte.