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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Defective Informations and Qualifying Circumstances: Lessons from People v. Pilen
The Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Pilen clarifies when defective Informations waive objections and how treachery is proven.
Due Process Prevails: Informations Clarity Protects Against Unfair Conviction
The Supreme Court rules that administrative liability requires a formal charge, protecting public employees from unfair conviction based on delay alone.
Duplicitous Informations and Child Abuse: Understanding Convictions for Multiple Offenses in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies how duplicitous informations can lead to convictions for multiple offenses, and when child abuse charges apply instead of rape.
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.
Diminished Capacity and Consent in Rape and Child Abuse Cases: Key Lessons from People v. Vañas
The Supreme Court clarifies when mental incapacity negates consent in rape and why defective Informations can void child abuse charges.
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 Defective Informations Can Be Amended: Lessons from a Libel Case on Venue and Publication
The Supreme Court clarifies when defective informations in libel cases may be amended before arraignment, and when dismissal is proper.
Double Jeopardy and Speedy Trial Rights in the ASEAN Street Lighting Case
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling on double jeopardy, speedy disposition, and amended informations in Braza v. Sandiganbayan.
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.
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.
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.
Revocation of Authority and Amendment of Information in Election Cases
Supreme Court clarifies when prosecutors may amend informations and when arraignment may be suspended pending COMELEC appeal.
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.
Who May File Libel Cases: City Prosecutor vs Provincial Prosecutor
Supreme Court rules on which prosecutor has authority to file libel Informations, and why a wrong prosecutor's filing is a fatal jurisdictional defect.
Defective Informations in Rape Cases: When Procedural Lapses Do Not Defeat Convictions
Learn when defective informations in rape cases do not invalidate convictions, and how procedural lapses can be cured under Philippine law.
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.
Separate Crimes for Separate Drugs: Possessing Shabu and Marijuana Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: possessing shabu and marijuana at the same time and place constitutes two separate crimes, requiring two separate Informations.
When a Plea Does Not Bar Re-Arraignment: Double Jeopardy and Defective Informations
The Supreme Court explains when a conditional arraignment and an amended information do not trigger double jeopardy protections in Philippine criminal procedure.
Libel Jurisdiction: Where Does a Case Belong?
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling on libel jurisdiction, venue rules under the Revised Penal Code, and when amendments to informations are allowed.
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.
Statutory Rape Conviction and the Strict Reading of Qualifying Circumstances in Informations
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that qualifying circumstances like step-parentage must be precisely alleged in the information to justify the death penalty.
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.