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 1–11 of 11 articles for “criminal complaints”

Sort:Newest Oldest

Jan 29, 2023 libel criminal law freedom of speech revised penal code supreme court

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.

Jun 8, 2020 malicious prosecution civil code article 19 damages criminal procedure preliminary investigation

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.

Apr 18, 2018 ombudsman criminal complaint grave abuse of discretion ra 6770 preliminary investigation administrative complaint

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.

Jul 30, 2014 ombudsman probable cause grave abuse of discretion labor officials anti-graft criminal law

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.

Apr 23, 2010 criminal procedure ombudsman probable cause civil liability death of accused rules of court

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.

Mar 2, 2010 judicial independence ombudsman anti-graft collateral attack supreme court legal ethics

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.

Feb 17, 2005 malicious prosecution criminal law damages probable cause civil liability

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.

Jan 31, 2005 perjury probable cause ombudsman criminal law revised penal code

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.

Feb 18, 2004 ombudsman administrative law public funds rule 45 rule 65 local government

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.

Nov 15, 2000 criminal-law rape criminal-procedure qualifying-circumstances supreme-court reclusion-perpetua

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.

Nov 15, 2000 ombudsman criminal procedure probable cause grave abuse of discretion preliminary investigation jurisprudence

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.