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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Trafficking Conviction Upheld Despite Acquittal on Child Prostitution Charges
Supreme Court affirms trafficking conviction even where child prostitution charges fail for lack of proof of minority, clarifying key evidentiary rules.
Drug Sale and Use Convictions Upheld Under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act
The Supreme Court affirms convictions for illegal sale and use of marijuana, clarifying key rules under RA 9165 on buy-bust operations and drug testing.
Double Jeopardy and Parental Rape: What the Supreme Court Clarified in G.R. No. 262846
The Supreme Court clarifies double jeopardy in criminal appeals and affirms a father's rape conviction in G.R. No. 262846.
Media Practitioners and Election Law: Balancing Free Speech with Fair Elections
The Supreme Court affirms a radio commentator-candidate's conviction for violating election rules on media practitioners during the campaign period.
Breach of Public Trust: Defining Graft and Malversation in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies the elements of graft and malversation in Ruiz v. People, affirming a mayor's conviction for misuse of public funds.
Rape and Adoption: When Retroactive Laws Cannot Elevate a Conviction
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies why a 2012 rape involving an adopted child could not be elevated to qualified rape under a later law.
Unlicensed Recruitment Upholding Protection FOR Migrant Workers
The Supreme Court affirms convictions for illegal recruitment by unlicensed recruiters, clarifying penalties and reinforcing protections for overseas Filipino workers.
Graft Conviction Overturned: Undue Injury and Burden of Proof Under RA 3019
When does a procurement violation become graft? The Supreme Court clarifies undue injury and the burden of proof under Section 3(e) of RA 3019.
Combating Human Trafficking: Understanding Philippine Law and Your Rights
The Supreme Court affirms a qualified trafficking conviction, explaining the elements of the crime, conspiracy, and penalties under RA 9208.
Election Law Disqualification for Illegal Use of Public Funds in the Philippines
Learn how a final conviction with perpetual disqualification can cancel a candidacy, as ruled by the Supreme Court.
Lascivious Conduct vs. Acts of Lasciviousness: How the Supreme Court Classifies Child Abuse Cases
The Supreme Court affirmed a conviction for molesting a 14-year-old girl and clarified the correct charge and penalty for lascivious conduct against minors.
Election Gun Ban: What Counts as a Deadly Weapon in the Philippines
SC clarifies what "other deadly weapons" means under the election gun ban, and why a knife conviction was reversed.
Marital Infidelity and Psychological Violence: Understanding RA 9262
The Supreme Court clarifies when marital infidelity becomes psychological violence under RA 9262, and whether a psychological report is required for conviction.
Human Trafficking Conviction Affirmed: Protecting Child Victims Under RA 9208
The Supreme Court affirms a cybersex trafficking conviction, reinforcing heightened legal protection for child victims under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.
Qualified Rape of a Minor: Supreme Court Clarifies Proper Designation and Damages
The Supreme Court clarifies the proper designation of rape of a minor and increases damages in a father's conviction for three counts of qualified rape.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Upholding Justice in Cases of Qualified Rape of a Minor
The Supreme Court affirms a father's conviction for three counts of qualified rape of his minor daughter, clarifying the proper crime designation and increasing damages.
Court Employee’s Drug Conviction Leads to Fine, Forfeiture of Retirement Benefits
A Supreme Court ruling shows how a court utility worker’s drug conviction led to forfeited retirement benefits and permanent disqualification from public office.
Child Trafficking Conviction Upheld Even With Victim's Consent — Key Rules from the Supreme Court
SC affirms qualified trafficking conviction of three pimps, ruling a minor's consent to prostitution does not negate criminal liability under RA 9208.
GCTA Eligibility After Conviction: Guinto v. DOJ Explained
The Supreme Court ruled that the 2019 IRR exceeded R.A. 10592 by excluding heinous crime convicts from GCTA. Here's what it means.
Treachery and Confessions: Understanding Murder Convictions in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains how treachery qualifies a killing as murder and when extrajudicial confessions are admissible in Philippine courts.
Defying Court Orders Consequences OF Disobedience IN THE Philippine Justice System
The Supreme Court clarifies that repealing a penal law does not erase criminal liability when the offense is reenacted, affirming a child pornography conviction.
Child Pornography Prosecution After Repeal: The Doctrine of Reenactment in the Philippines
Can a repealed law still lead to conviction? The Supreme Court clarifies how reenactment preserves criminal liability for child pornography offenses.
Human Trafficking in the Philippines: Qualified Trafficking and Child Protection Under RA 9208
Philippine law treats trafficking of minors as qualified trafficking with severe penalties. A recent Supreme Court ruling shows how victim testimony secures convictions.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: A Strict Standard for Conviction in the Philippines
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect due to a broken chain of custody, underscoring the strict standard for conviction.