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.
Chain of Custody Failures and Election Weapon Bans: Acquittal in People v. Ildefonso
How broken drug evidence chains lead to acquittal and why carrying bladed weapons during elections may not be an offense.
Election Gun Ban: Can Bladed Weapons Be Prohibited?
The Supreme Court rules on whether the COMELEC election gun ban can cover bladed instruments like knives, and explains how to challenge its constitutionality.
Understanding Conspiracy and Treachery in Philippine Murder and Robbery Cases
The Supreme Court explains how conspiracy and treachery work in murder and robbery cases, and what must be alleged in the Information.
Conspiracy and Overt Acts in Group Offenses: What Philippine Law Requires
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that mere presence at a crime scene does not establish conspiracy; an overt act is required for criminal liability.
Eyewitness Testimony and Treachery: Upholding Murder Conviction Despite Credibility Challenges
The Supreme Court affirms murder convictions based on credible eyewitness testimony, explaining how treachery qualifies the crime and why minor inconsistencies do not defeat a prosecution.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Sudden Attacks and Defenseless Victims
The Supreme Court explains treachery in murder cases—sudden, unexpected attacks on defenseless victims qualify killings as murder, not homicide.
Intent to Kill: How Philippine Courts Determine Attempted and Frustrated Homicide
Learn how Philippine courts distinguish attempted from frustrated homicide through intent to kill, based on a 2006 Supreme Court ruling.
Reassessing Criminal Liability From Murder TO Homicide Based ON Absence OF Evident Premeditation
The Supreme Court clarifies when a killing is homicide, not murder, absent proof of evident premeditation, and explains conspiracy liability.
Victim Testimony in Philippine Criminal Cases: Why Credibility and Physical Evidence Decide Guilt
Philippine courts weigh witness credibility and physical evidence heavily. Learn how the Supreme Court affirmed convictions based on these factors.
Conspiracy and Criminal Liability: Intent and Participation in Homicide Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on conspiracy, intent, and participation in homicide—what the Manlansing case teaches about criminal liability.
Accountability in Conspiracy: Establishing Homicide Liability in Philippine Law
How Philippine courts infer conspiracy from concerted acts, and why each conspirator is liable for the crimes committed by the group.
When Witness Inconsistency Undermines a Murder Conviction in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court explains when minor witness inconsistencies do not destroy a rape conviction and how credibility is assessed.
Perfecting an Appeal: Understanding Timeliness and Receipt of Court Decisions in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts treat appeal timeliness, notice of judgment, and receipt of decisions—key rules every litigant must know.