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.
Moral Ascendancy and Statutory Rape: Insights from a Philippine Supreme Court Decision
The Supreme Court affirms a statutory rape conviction, explaining how moral ascendancy and recantation are treated under Philippine law.
Rape of Persons with Intellectual Disability: Consent and Criminal Liability in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies that sexual intercourse with a person with intellectual disability constitutes rape, as they cannot give valid consent.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Intimidation Overcomes Lack of Physical Resistance
Philippine Supreme Court rules that intimidation, not physical resistance, is key in rape cases, upholding a conviction based on a knife threat.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Delay in Reporting Does Not Negate Victim Credibility
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, ruling that a victim's delay in reporting does not automatically discredit her testimony.
Falsification of Public Documents: Presumption of Authorship Explained
Learn how Philippine courts presume authorship of falsified documents and why beneficiaries bear the burden of proof under Article 172.
Unraveling Reasonable Doubt: The Role of DNA Evidence in Rape Cases
Explore how Philippine courts weigh DNA evidence and credible testimony in rape convictions, as shown in People v. Tuazon.
The Weight of Fear: Evaluating Delay in Rape Cases Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on rape convictions, victim credibility, and why delay in reporting does not weaken a case.
The Lone Testimony Upholding Rape Conviction Despite Delayed Reporting
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on the victim's credible lone testimony, despite a six-month delay in reporting the crime.
Rape Conviction: Consent, Intimidation, and Victim Testimony in Philippine Law
How the Supreme Court weighed intimidation, delayed reporting, and victim credibility in affirming a rape conviction.
Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Minor Inconsistencies: Why Victim Testimony Matters in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms a father's rape conviction, explaining why minor inconsistencies in victim testimony do not destroy credibility.
Upholding Fair Trial: The Importance of Cross-Examination in Philippine Criminal Proceedings
How the Supreme Court balanced a rape conviction with the accused's right to cross-examine, clarifying token resistance and delay rules.
Retroactive Application of Penal Laws Protecting Accused Rights in the Philippines
Explaining how the 1987 Constitution's abolition of the death penalty retroactively benefits accused persons whose crimes were committed before its ratification.
The Weight of Witness Testimony: How Philippine Courts Determine Credibility in Murder Cases
A single credible witness can convict for murder. Learn how Philippine courts weigh testimony and credibility.
Credible Testimony in Rape Cases: Why Victim Accounts Matter in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms that a minor rape victim's credible, detailed testimony alone can sustain a conviction, explaining key rules on credibility.
Credible Witness Testimony: How Philippine Courts Convict in Murder Cases
Philippine courts can convict on the testimony of a single credible witness. This article explains the rule and its limits.
Self-Defense Claims in Parricide and Rape Cases: What the Supreme Court Says
A father convicted of raping his daughter claimed self-defense. The Supreme Court explains why this defense fails in parricide and rape cases.
Juvenile Justice Understanding Mitigation AND Criminal Liability IN THE Philippines
How Philippine courts treat juvenile offenders, minority as mitigating circumstance, and criminal liability under the law.
Consent and Rape: Understanding the Nuances of Sexual Assault in the Philippines
The Bawar case shows how Philippine courts weigh consent, credibility, and behavior in rape cases—crucial for understanding sexual assault law.