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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Rape and Mental Capacity: Philippine Supreme Court Ruling on Criminal Liability
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies rape liability involving mental retardation, distinguishing statutory rape from rape of a person deprived of reason.
Mental Capacity AND Donations Protecting THE Vulnerable From Undue Influence
Age of Criminal Responsibility: Mental Capacity vs Chronological Age in Rape Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies how a victim's age affects penalties in rape and lascivious conduct cases under Philippine law.
Mental Capacity and Witness Testimony: Protecting Vulnerable Victims of Sexual Assault
How Philippine courts assess mental capacity of rape victims with disabilities, and why mental retardation alone does not disqualify a witness.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Statutory Rape and Mental Capacity to Consent in the Philippines
In People v. Castro, the Supreme Court affirmed that sex with a mental retardate whose mental age is below 12 is statutory rape—consent is legally impossible.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Force and Intimidation Override Mental Capacity Concerns
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction in People v. Neverio, ruling that force and intimidation, not proof of mental retardation, sustain the guilty verdict.
Mental Capacity and Employment: Protecting Employees From Unjust Dismissal
When can an employer drop a worker for mental incapacity? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules and due process requirements.
Mental Capacity and Consent in Rape Cases: Protecting Vulnerable Individuals
How Philippine courts treat consent when the victim has diminished mental capacity, based on People v. Mabonga.
Protecting THE Vulnerable Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Mental Capacity Challenges
Rape Conviction Upheld: Mental Capacity and the Meaning of Force and Intimidation
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains how force and intimidation in rape are judged, especially when the victim has mental retardation and cannot resist.
Rape and Mental Capacity: Understanding the Burden of Proof in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court acquittal clarifies when mental retardation must be proven to convict in rape cases, and why the prosecution's burden matters.
When Mental Capacity at Arraignment Matters: A Landmark Drug and Criminal Case Remand
The Supreme Court vacated a death penalty conviction because the trial court failed to assess the accused's mental fitness before arraignment.
Mental Capacity and Rape in Philippine Law: The Hamto Case
How Philippine courts treat mentally retarded rape victims' testimony, and why mental age matters in proving rape.
Mental Capacity and Criminal Liability: Understanding the Estrada Insanity Test
The Supreme Court explains when insanity exempts from criminal liability and clarifies the Estrada test for mental competency.
Insanity Plea in Philippine Law: Proving Mental Capacity at the Time of the Offense
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the insanity defense under Article 12(1) RPC, the burden of proof, and timing requirements for psychiatric examination.
Mental Capacity and Witness Testimony: Protecting Vulnerable Victims in Philippine Rape Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on mental retardates as credible witnesses in rape cases, with practical guidance for prosecutors and defenders.
Credibility in Rape Cases: How Mental Capacity Affects Testimony Admissibility
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction despite the victim's moderate intellectual disability, clarifying credibility standards for witnesses with mental limitations.
Credibility in Rape Cases: The High Standard for Conviction Based on Victim Testimony
How Philippine courts weigh a rape victim's testimony, force, and mental capacity in securing a conviction beyond reasonable doubt.
Rape of a Person Deprived of Reason: Consent and Mental Capacity in Philippine Law
Philippine law treats carnal knowledge of a woman deprived of reason as rape, regardless of apparent consent. This case explains why.
Criminal Conspiracy and Exempting Circumstances: Duress and Mental Capacity in Philippine Law
A look at how the Supreme Court defined conspiracy, duress, and imbecility defenses in a kidnapping and homicide case.