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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Self-Defense or Murder? The Limits of Justifiable Force in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when self-defense fails and a killing becomes murder, explaining unlawful aggression, treachery, and reasonable force.
Self-Defense in the Philippines: Understanding the Limits of Justifiable Force
Philippine law recognizes self-defense, but the burden of proof lies on the accused. Learn the legal limits of justifiable force.
Self Defense Claim Fails THE Duty TO Retreat AND Limits TO Justifiable Force
When Duty Turns Deadly: Justifiable Force and Homicide in Philippine Law
A police officer shot a man during a routine check. The Supreme Court explains when self-defense and performance of duty fail.
Self-Defense vs. Vengeance: Defining the Limits of Justifiable Force in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when the defense of another justifies force, and when it becomes criminal vengeance under Philippine law.
Self-Defense and Homicide: The Boundaries of Justifiable Force in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense fails and why a killing without treachery is homicide, not murder.
Self-Defense and Treachery: The Boundaries of Justifiable Force in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when self-defense fails and treachery qualifies killing as murder under Philippine law.
Self-Defense or Murder: The Limits of Justifiable Force in Philippine Law
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a killing is murder and how treachery, not self-defense, determines criminal liability.
Self-Defense or Murder: The Limits of Justifiable Force in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a claim of self-defense fails and treachery turns a killing into murder under Philippine law.
Self Defense OR Brutal Attack Examining THE Limits OF Justifiable Force IN Homicide
Self-Defense and Unlawful Aggression: The Limits of Justifiable Force in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when self-defense applies, when it ends, and why unlawful aggression must be real and ongoing.
Self-Defense and Unlawful Aggression: The Boundaries of Justifiable Force
When does a person have the right to use force to defend oneself? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of self-defense in People v. Gaviola.
When Self-Defense Fails: The Limits of Justifiable Force in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when self-defense fails and the limits of justifiable force in Philippine criminal law.
Self-Defense and Homicide: Understanding the Limits of Justifiable Force in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense applies in Philippine homicide cases, using the 1997 Maalat ruling as a guide.
Self-Defense in the Philippines: Proving Unlawful Aggression and Justifiable Force
The Supreme Court explains when self-defense succeeds in Philippine criminal law—and why it failed in People v. Cahindo.
Self-Defense in the Philippines: When Can You Justifiably Use Force?
Learn the legal requirements for self-defense in the Philippines, explained through a Supreme Court ruling on unlawful aggression and justifiable force.
When Can You Justifiably Use Force: Self-Defense in the Philippines
Learn the legal requirements for self-defense in the Philippines, including the elements of unlawful aggression and how courts assess justifiable force.
Self-Defense vs. Unlawful Aggression: The Limits of Justifiable Force in Homicide Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies self-defense requirements and when sudden attack does not constitute treachery in homicide cases.