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.

Showing 124 of 200 articles for credible testimony

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.

Conspiracy and Ignominy in Rape Cases: Understanding Criminal Liability

How conspiracy and ignominy widen criminal liability in rape cases under Philippine law, explained through a recent Supreme Court ruling.

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.

Moral Ascendancy in Rape Cases: Why Silence Can Prove the Crime

Philippine law recognizes moral ascendancy as a substitute for force in rape cases. Learn what this means for victims and legal strategy.

Protecting Children When a Stepfather's Actions Constitute Lascivious Conduct Under RA 7610

The Supreme Court clarifies when a stepfather's lewd acts against his common-law wife's child constitute lascivious conduct under RA 7610, not mere acts of lasciviousness.

Statutory Rape in the Philippines: Understanding Consent and the Role of Minority

The Supreme Court clarifies when rape becomes qualified and how minority and relationship must be alleged and proven in Philippine criminal cases.

Qualified Rape and Moral Ascendancy: When Trust Becomes a Weapon

How moral ascendancy can substitute for force in rape cases, and why abusing a position of trust over a minor leads to qualified rape.

Understanding Rape Conviction in the Philippines: Consent Evidence and the Role of Co-Conspirators

Philippine Supreme Court clarifies rape conviction standards, consent evidence rules, and co-conspirator liability in criminal cases.

Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: Insights from the Supreme Court's Facebook Post Ruling

The Supreme Court clarifies how social media posts can prove psychological abuse under RA 9262 and when ICT use raises the penalty.

Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: When Facebook Posts Lead to Higher Penalties

The Supreme Court clarifies when Facebook posts constitute psychological abuse under RA 9262 and how ICT use raises the penalty.

Proving Online Abuse: Social Media Evidence in VAWC Cases

Supreme Court clarifies how to prove authorship of social media posts in VAWC cases and raises penalties when ICT is used.

Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: When Facebook Posts Lead to Higher Penalties

The Supreme Court clarifies how social media posts can constitute psychological abuse under RA 9262, and when ICT use raises the penalty.

Illegal Recruitment and Estafa: When Overseas Job Promises Turn Into Crimes

The Supreme Court clarifies when fake overseas job offers constitute illegal recruitment and estafa, and explains the penalties under Philippine law.

Plain View Doctrine Upholds Warrantless Seizure in Illegal Firearm Possession

The Supreme Court affirms that a firearm seen tucked in a suspect's waist during a lawful police response falls under the plain view doctrine.

Protecting Children: Statutory Rape and Sexual Assault Convictions Clarified

The Supreme Court clarifies when an accused can be convicted of both statutory rape and sexual assault arising from a single incident against a child.

Graft and Corruption: Navigating Local Government Contracts in the Philippines

The Supreme Court clarifies direct bribery under the Revised Penal Code in a case involving Ombudsman officials and local executives.

Proving Social Media Authorship in VAWC Cases: The G.R. No. 274842 Guide

Supreme Court clarifies how to prove Facebook post authorship in VAWC psychological abuse cases and raises penalties for ICT use.

Psychological Abuse via Facebook: Higher Penalty Under Cybercrime Law

Supreme Court rules posting demeaning messages on Facebook constitutes psychological abuse under RA 9262, with higher penalty under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

When Social Media Posts Become Psychological Abuse: Lessons from a Philippine Supreme Court Ruling

A recent Supreme Court ruling shows how Facebook posts can constitute psychological abuse under RA 9262, with heavier penalties for ICT use.

Trafficking in Persons for Prostitution Is a Crime Even If Intercepted Before Exploitation

Supreme Court clarifies that recruitment for prostitution constitutes trafficking in persons even if the intended exploitation is intercepted.

Protecting Minors: Upholding Conviction in Child Rape Cases Despite Minor Inconsistencies

The Supreme Court affirms a child rape conviction, ruling that minor inconsistencies in a minor victim's testimony do not undermine credibility.

Duplicitous Informations and Child Abuse: Understanding Convictions for Multiple Offenses in the Philippines

The Supreme Court clarifies how duplicitous informations can lead to convictions for multiple offenses, and when child abuse charges apply instead of rape.

Qualifying Circumstances in Rape: Proving the Victim's Minority and Relationship

The Supreme Court clarifies how the prosecution may prove a rape victim's minority and relationship, and when a conviction may be upgraded to qualified statutory rape.

Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: When Facebook Posts Become Crimes

The Supreme Court clarifies when social media posts constitute psychological abuse under RA 9262 and how the Cybercrime Prevention Act raises the penalty.