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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Perjury Acquittal: When Contradictory Statements Do Not Prove Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
Supreme Court acquits Eriberto Masangkay of perjury, holding that contradictory statements alone cannot prove deliberate falsehood beyond reasonable doubt.
DARAB Jurisdiction Over Land Sale Disputes Involving CARP-Covered Agricultural Lands
The Supreme Court clarifies when DARAB, not regular courts, has jurisdiction over disputes involving sales of agricultural lands under CARP coverage.
Eyewitness Identification Upholding Conviction Despite Informal Police Lineup in Kidnapping Case
Supreme Court affirms kidnapping conviction despite informal police lineup, ruling eyewitness identification was positive and independently reliable.
Buy-Bust Operations and Chain of Custody: Key Lessons from People v. Joel Roa
Learn how the Supreme Court upheld a drug conviction, explaining buy-bust validity, PDEA coordination, and chain of custody rules under RA 9165.
Tax Assessments: Strict Compliance With Waiver Requirements Protects Taxpayers
Waivers extending the tax assessment period must strictly follow BIR rules. Learn how defects invalidate waivers and protect taxpayers from late assessments.
Robbery With Rape Conviction: Victim Testimony Prevails Over Alibi Defense
Supreme Court affirms robbery with rape conviction, holding that a victim's positive identification prevails over an accused's weak alibi defense.
Navigating Libel in the Digital Age: Defining Jurisdiction in Online Defamation
The Supreme Court clarifies where online libel cases may be filed, ruling that mere internet access does not determine venue.
Forum Shopping and Dismissed Cases: What the Benedicto Ruling Means for Refiled Complaints
The Supreme Court clarifies when a withdrawn case must be disclosed in a certification against forum shopping, and what litis pendentia requires.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Victim Testimony and Positive Identification in Philippine Law
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, ruling that a victim's positive identification and credible testimony can overcome alibi and denial defenses.
Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: SAC Jurisdiction and Land Valuation Rules
Explains why the Special Agrarian Court has exclusive jurisdiction over just compensation cases and how land valuation is finally determined under RA 6657.
Customs VS Courts Resolving Jurisdictional Conflicts IN Import Seizures
When the Bureau of Customs seizes imported goods, courts cannot interfere. This case explains the exclusive jurisdiction rule.
Kidnapping for Ransom: Conspiracy and Defense of Duress Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies conspiracy and duress defenses in kidnapping for ransom cases, affirming convictions of co-accused.
Stepfather Convicted of Statutory Rape and Acts of Lasciviousness
The Supreme Court affirms the conviction of a stepfather for statutory rape and acts of lasciviousness against his minor stepdaughter, clarifying penalties and damages.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Upholding Convictions in Statutory Rape Cases Despite Familial Settings
The Supreme Court affirms a stepfather's statutory rape conviction, ruling that a child victim's failure to resist or shout does not negate rape.
BUY Bust Operations Legality AND Proof IN Drug Sale Convictions
Publication Requirements in Extrajudicial Foreclosure: Protecting Mortgagors' Due Process
Philippine Savings Bank v. Geronimo clarifies that strict compliance with publication requirements is essential for a valid extrajudicial foreclosure.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Preserving Evidence Integrity for a Fair Trial
How the Supreme Court in Balarbar v. People clarified that minor gaps in drug evidence handling do not automatically void a conviction.
Substantial Justice Over Strict Procedure in Agrarian Appeals: DARAB Rules Liberally Construed
SC rules DARAB notices of appeal should be liberally construed; technical defects must not defeat substantial justice in agrarian cases.
Kidnapping for Ransom Conviction Affirmed: The Limits of Alibi and Denial of Conspiracy
Supreme Court affirms kidnapping-for-ransom convictions, explaining why alibi fails against positive identification and how conspiracy is inferred from concerted acts.
Forcible Entry Jurisdiction: When Stealth Extends the One-Year Filing Period
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on forcible entry jurisdiction, stealth dispossession, and the one-year filing period in Nuñez v. SLTEAS Phoenix Solutions.
Upholding Possession Jurisdiction in Forcible Entry Cases and the Significance of Juridical Acts
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on forcible entry jurisdiction, possession through juridical acts, and the one-year prescriptive period.
Appeals From the NWRB: Clarifying Jurisdiction Between the RTC and Court of Appeals
The Supreme Court clarifies that appeals from National Water Resources Board decisions go to the Court of Appeals, not the RTC.
Equality in Representation: Population Requirements for Legislative Districts in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies that the Constitution does not require a 250,000 population minimum for provincial legislative districts.
Legislative Districts Population Disparity and the Right to Equal Representation
The Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution does not require a 250,000 population minimum for provincial legislative districts, upholding RA 9716.