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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Preliminary Investigation in the Philippines: What It Is and How It Works
Learn the preliminary investigation procedure in the Philippines—what it is, how it works, and what to expect during a criminal complaint.
Libel in the Philippines: When Posting a Complaint Becomes a Crime
The Supreme Court clarifies the elements of libel, including publication and malice, in a case involving posted criminal complaints.
Malicious Prosecution in the Philippines: When Filing Criminal Charges Backfires
The Supreme Court clarifies when filing baseless criminal complaints constitutes malicious prosecution, and what damages may be awarded.
Upholding THE Ombudsmans Discretion Probable Cause AND Abuse OF Authority IN Criminal Complaints
Ombudsman's Discretion in Evaluating Criminal Complaints: Key Lessons from Espaldon v. Buban
The Supreme Court clarifies that the Ombudsman's discretionary dismissal under Section 20 of R.A. 6770 applies only to administrative, not criminal, complaints.
Protecting Victims: How Family Can Petition for Protection Orders Under the Anti-VAWC Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that a victim's family can file for protection orders under the Anti-VAWC Law, even after a criminal complaint is dismissed.
Malicious Prosecution: When Filing a Criminal Complaint Backfires
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on malicious prosecution, damages, and employer liability for unfounded criminal charges against employees.
Supreme Court Upholds Ombudsman’s Dismissal of Criminal Complaint Against Labor Officials
The Court affirms the Ombudsman’s discretion to dismiss criminal complaints, finding no grave abuse in the labor officials’ challenged orders.
When Death and Procedural Choices End Criminal Complaints: The ABS-CBN v. Ombudsman Case
Explaining how the Supreme Court applied the Bayotas rule on death of respondents and why procedural choices in filing claims can affect criminal complaints.
Upholding Judicial Independence: Protecting Judges From Collateral Attacks on Final Judgments
The Supreme Court shields its members from collateral attacks via criminal complaints, reaffirming that only it can declare its own judgments unjust.
Malicious Prosecution in Estafa Cases: When a Criminal Complaint Becomes a Tort
The Supreme Court clarifies when filing an estafa complaint without probable cause constitutes malicious prosecution, making the complainant liable for damages.
Malicious Prosecution: Proving Malice and Lack of Probable Cause in Criminal Complaints
The Supreme Court explains when filing criminal complaints becomes malicious prosecution, requiring proof of both malice and lack of probable cause.
Perjury and Probable Cause: When Sworn Statements Fall Short of Falsehood
The Supreme Court clarifies the elements of perjury and the limits of probable cause in criminal complaints before the Ombudsman.
Ombudsman's Discretion in Criminal Cases: Limits on Judicial Review
The Supreme Court in Perez v. Ombudsman explains why courts rarely overturn the Ombudsman's dismissal of criminal complaints, and where to file a challenge.
Breach of Trust Accountability for Mismanaged Court Funds in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies the proper remedy for questioning Ombudsman dismissals in administrative and criminal complaints involving public funds.
Precision in Criminal Charges: How a Vague Complaint Can Impact Your Rights in the Philippines
Learn how vague criminal complaints can violate your rights, and why precision in charges matters under Philippine law.
Fatal Flaws in Filing Rape Cases: Why Precision in Criminal Complaints Matters in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court reduced a rape conviction from death to reclusion perpetua because the complaint failed to allege the qualifying circumstances of filiation and minority.
Ombudsman's Discretion: When Courts Won't Intervene in Dismissals
Philippine Supreme Court explains the limits of judicial review over the Ombudsman's power to dismiss criminal complaints for lack of probable cause.
Malicious Prosecution in Philippine Law: Probable Cause and Malice Explained
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a failed criminal complaint becomes malicious prosecution, requiring proof of lack of probable cause and sinister motive.
Procedural Due Process in Rape Cases: Why Proper Charges Matter
How a flawed criminal complaint led the Supreme Court to reduce death sentences to reclusion perpetua in a stepfather rape case.
Invalid Tax Assessment: Why an Affidavit for Criminal Complaint Does Not Count
The Supreme Court clarifies that a revenue officer's affidavit attached to a criminal complaint for tax evasion is not a formal assessment that can be appealed to the Court of Tax Appeals.
Preliminary Investigations: Why Judges Must Follow Procedure — Domingo v. Reyes
A judge who rewrites a criminal complaint during preliminary investigation violates Rule 112. The Supreme Court explains why procedure matters.