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.

Showing 1–9 of 9 articles for “mental deficiency”

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Jan 9, 2017 insanity defense criminal law mental incapacity philippine courts criminal procedure

Insanity as a Defense: Establishing Mental Incapacity in Criminal Proceedings

Understanding how Philippine courts assess insanity as a defense and what evidence is needed to establish mental incapacity in criminal cases.

Mar 12, 2014 criminal-law probation appeal rape revised-penal-code

Probation vs Appeal: Choosing Your Legal Path in Philippine Criminal Law

Learn how Philippine courts treat probation versus appeal in criminal cases, and why choosing the wrong remedy can forfeit your right to appeal.

Mar 12, 2014 criminal-law rape revised-penal-code mental-disability supreme-court vulnerable-victims

Protecting the Vulnerable: Rape of a Person Deprived of Reason

The Supreme Court affirms the rape conviction of a man who sexually abused a mentally deficient minor, clarifying the distinction between "demented" and "deprived of reason" under the Revised Penal Co

Aug 7, 2007 criminal-law rape mentally-retarded eyewitness-testimony revised-penal-code supreme-court

Protecting the Vulnerable: Rape of a Mentally Retarded Person and the Weight of Eyewitness Testimony

The Supreme Court affirms rape conviction where a mentally retarded victim was sexually assaulted, relying on eyewitness testimony and medical evidence.

Jun 29, 2004 rape criminal law victim credibility mentally disabled victim revised penal code supreme court

Incestuous Rape: Credibility of a Victim's Testimony in Cases of Parental Abuse

When a mentally disabled minor is raped, her testimony can convict. The Supreme Court explains why in People v. Mabonga.

Aug 2, 2001 criminal law rape mental capacity evidence revised penal code supreme court

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.

Mar 28, 2000 criminal-law rape mental-disability credibility revised-penal-code supreme-court

Protecting the Credibility of Testimony From Persons With Mental Disabilities in Rape Cases

How Philippine courts assess rape testimony from mentally disabled victims, and why mental deficiency does not diminish credibility.

Mar 3, 2000 criminal law rape mental deficiency victim credibility civil indemnity moral damages

Protecting the Vulnerable: Rape of a Person with Mental Deficiencies and Victim Credibility

The Supreme Court affirms rape conviction where the victim has mild mental retardation, clarifying that mental deficiency does not undermine credibility.

Aug 28, 1998 rape mental disability criminal law revised penal code supreme court vulnerable victims

Protecting the Vulnerable: Rape of Persons With Mental Disability in Philippine Law

The Supreme Court affirms that rape of a mental retardate requires less force, and explains why conviction stands.