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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Finality of Court Control Over Criminal Cases: SSS v. Seno on Withdrawal of Information
Explore the Supreme Court's ruling in SSS v. Seno on trial court discretion over motions to withdraw criminal informations and due process limits.
SSS v. Seno: Trial Court Discretion Over Withdrawal of Criminal Information
Supreme Court clarifies trial court discretion in denying withdrawal of criminal information and limits on ordering reinvestigation in SSS contribution cases.
When Can Prosecution Amend an Information? Formal vs Substantial Amendment Explained
Supreme Court clarifies when the prosecution may amend a criminal information after arraignment, distinguishing formal from substantial amendments under Rule 110.
Amendment of Information After Plea: Balancing Due Process and Fair Trial Rights
A Supreme Court ruling on when courts may allow amendments to a criminal information after the accused has pleaded, and the limits of such amendments.
Courts Must Independently Evaluate Evidence Before Allowing Amendment of Criminal Information
Supreme Court rules trial courts commit grave abuse of discretion when they approve amended criminal informations without independently assessing the evidence.
When a Prosecutor Files an Information Without the City Prosecutor’s Approval
Learn when a criminal information filed without the city prosecutor’s prior written authority is defective and subject to quashal.
When Parental Authority Turns to Abuse: Examining the Crime of Qualified Statutory Rape
The Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between simple and qualified statutory rape, emphasizing the need for precise allegations in criminal informations.
Sufficiency of Information in Criminal Cases: Ensuring Fair Notice to the Accused
How Philippine courts test whether a criminal Information sufficiently informs the accused of the charge, with lessons from a drug case.
Judges Must Independently Assess Withdrawal of Criminal Informations
Learn the Supreme Court's rule on withdrawal of criminal informations and the judge's duty of independent assessment before approving dismissal.
When Courts Must Decide Independently: Withdrawal of Criminal Informations in the Philippines
Philippine courts must independently assess prosecutors' motions to withdraw criminal informations, not merely adopt the Secretary of Justice's recommendation.
Amending Criminal Informations: Balancing Rights and Procedural Rules in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when amended criminal informations are allowed after arraignment, balancing the accused's rights with procedural rules.
When Courts Can Deny a Prosecutor's Motion to Withdraw Information
Learn when Philippine courts may deny a prosecutor's motion to withdraw a criminal information and why certiorari is barred in summary procedure cases.
Double Jeopardy and Police Accountability: When Amending an Information Is Allowed
Explaining when an amended criminal information does not trigger double jeopardy, through a Philippine Supreme Court ruling on police killings.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Why Clear Allegations in Criminal Informations Matter
Father convicted of two rape counts sees death penalty reduced to reclusion perpetua because the informations failed to allege his relationship to the victim.
Authority to Prosecute: The Necessity of Proper Authorization in Filing Criminal Informations
A state prosecutor without proper written authority cannot validly file criminal charges. Learn from the Supreme Court's ruling in Turingan v. Garfin.
Double Jeopardy and Amendment of Information: Rights of the Accused in Philippine Law
Explaining when amending a criminal information after a plea is allowed, and why double jeopardy did not bar re-arraignment in Cabo v. Sandiganbayan.
Due Process Prevails: Substantial Amendment to Information Requires New Preliminary Investigation
Supreme Court rules substantial amendments to criminal informations require new preliminary investigation to protect accused's due process rights.
Dwelling as Aggravating Circumstance: Why Specific Allegation in Criminal Informations Matters
Learn why aggravating circumstances like dwelling must be specifically alleged in criminal informations, based on People v. Aquino.
Upholding Public Trust: The Limits of Amending Criminal Informations in Anti-Graft Cases
When can a judge amend a criminal information? This case clarifies the limits of judicial discretion in anti-graft proceedings.
Statutory Rape and the Need for Specific Allegations in Criminal Informations
The Supreme Court explains why precise dates and specific allegations in rape informations are crucial for due process and conviction.
Rape Conviction and the Importance of Specific Allegations in Criminal Informations
A rape conviction is void where the information fails to allege every element of the crime, as the Supreme Court held in People v. Espera, G.R. No. 153845.
Rape Conviction Requires Clear Allegations Understanding THE Importance OF Specificity IN Criminal Informations
Incestuous Rape: Moral Ascendancy as Intimidation and General Dates in Informations
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on incestuous rape clarifies moral ascendancy as intimidation and the validity of general dates in criminal informations.
Homicide Conviction Reversed: The Importance of Pleading Treachery in Criminal Informations
Supreme Court clarifies that qualifying circumstances like treachery must be alleged in the Information, or the accused can only be convicted of the lesser crime.