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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Child Custody in the Philippines: Who Gets Custody and How Courts Decide
Learn the rules for child custody in the Philippines, how courts decide who gets custody, and what factors matter most.
Chain of Custody Failures and Election Weapon Bans: Acquittal in People v. Ildefonso
How broken drug evidence chains lead to acquittal and why carrying bladed weapons during elections may not be an offense.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: How a Judicial Admission Can Affect Your Rights in the Philippines
A judicial admission can excuse gaps in the chain of custody—but only up to a point. Learn how the Supreme Court applied this rule in a drug possession case.
Marijuana Cultivation and Chain of Custody: Key Lessons from a 2024 Supreme Court Ruling
A 2024 Supreme Court ruling clarifies what counts as marijuana cultivation and why broken chain of custody leads to acquittal.
Child Custody in the Philippines: The Best Interest of the Child Standard
Philippine courts decide child custody disputes by one standard: the child's best interest. Learn the factors, the law, and a landmark 2024 ruling.
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.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: How a Broken Link Leads to Acquittal
A broken chain of custody can overturn drug convictions. Learn the strict rules under RA 9165 and what the Cordova ruling means.
Chain of Custody and the Saving Clause in Philippine Drug Cases
When a flawed drug bust still stands: the saving clause under Section 21, RA 9165, explained through a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Witness Credentials Matter
The Supreme Court acquits three drug suspects, stressing that insulating witnesses' identities and credentials must be proven, not just presumed.
Prolonged Detention and the Rights of the Accused in Philippine Drug Cases
The Supreme Court affirms drug convictions while clarifying warrantless arrest rules, chain of custody, and accused rights under RA 9165.
Chain of Custody and Buy-Bust Operations: A Guide from a Recent Drug Case Ruling
A 2023 Supreme Court ruling clarifies the chain of custody rule and witness requirements in buy-bust operations under RA 9165.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: How a Marking Error Can Lead to Acquittal
A marking error in the chain of custody can break the link and lead to acquittal in drug cases, as shown in People v. Valencia.
Chain of Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence Integrity
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect over broken chain of custody, underscoring strict compliance with Section 21 of RA 9165.
Drug Case Dismissed: Why Chain of Custody Is Crucial in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court acquitted two drug suspects because police failed to justify why the inventory was not done at the place of arrest. Here's what this means for Section 21 compliance.
Supreme Court Acquits Drug Suspects: Strict Chain of Custody Still Required
The Supreme Court acquitted two drug suspects because police failed to justify why the inventory was not done at the arrest site. Learn the rule.
Chain of Custody Breach Warrants Acquittal in Drug Sale Case
Supreme Court acquits drug suspects where inventory was done at PDEA office, not arrest site, without justification.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: A Broken Link Leads to Acquittal
When police skip the required on-site inventory without justification, the chain of custody breaks and drug convictions may be overturned.
Hot Pursuit Arrests: When Is a Warrant Required in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains the limits of warrantless hot pursuit arrests and the chain of custody rule for seized drugs.
Drug Den Conviction Overturned: Isolated Incidents and Chain of Custody Failures
Supreme Court acquits accused of maintaining a drug den, ruling isolated test-buy and broken chain of custody cannot sustain conviction.
Chain of Custody Breaks Lead to Acquittal in Election Weapon Ban Case
Supreme Court acquits accused in election weapons ban case due to broken chain of custody over seized folding knife.
Custody Chain Integrity: Safeguarding Drug Evidence in Philippine Law
How the Supreme Court in People v. Tamundi clarified the chain of custody rule and witness requirements under Section 21 of RA 9165.
Buy-Bust Operations: Ensuring Integrity in Drug Evidence and Upholding Chain of Custody
The Supreme Court explains when minor deviations from Section 21's chain of custody rule are justified in buy-bust operations.
Chain of Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence From Seizure to Trial
The Supreme Court explains when minor deviations in the chain of custody rule for seized drugs are excused, using a 2022 cocaine case.
Hot Pursuit Arrests and Drug Evidence: Lessons from Adoma v. People
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect, clarifying the rules on warrantless arrests and the chain of custody of seized items.