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 “mitigating circumstances”

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May 6, 2025 criminal law mitigating circumstances self-defense treachery parricide revised penal code

Passion and Obfuscation in Parricide: The Singcol Case and Limits of Self-Defense

The Supreme Court in People v. Singcol clarifies self-defense limits, passion and obfuscation as a mitigating circumstance, and treachery in murder.

Sep 28, 2021 civil service habitual tardiness administrative law government employees csc

Habitual Tardiness in Philippine Government Service: When Is It a Light Offense?

The Supreme Court clarifies when habitual tardiness is a light offense, not a grave one, in a 2021 ruling.

Jun 27, 2021 ra 7610 child sexual abuse criminal law supreme court child protection section 5(b)

Child Sexual Abuse Under RA 7610: Key Ruling on Section 5(b) vs. 10(a)

The Supreme Court clarifies when sexual abuse of a child falls under Section 5(b) rather than 10(a) of RA 7610, affecting penalties and prosecution.

May 4, 2021 parricide criminal law mitigating circumstances voluntary surrender revised penal code sentencing

Parricide Penalties in the Philippines: How Voluntary Surrender Affects Sentencing

Learn how mitigating circumstances like voluntary surrender affect parricide penalties under Philippine law, based on People v. Padilla.

Oct 12, 2020 administrative law gross discourtesy judiciary court personnel code of conduct

Gross Discourtesy in the Judiciary: The Clerk of Court Case and Its Lessons

A Supreme Court ruling on a clerk of court's discourtesy shows the high standards of conduct expected of all judicial personnel.

Jan 26, 2006 labor law just cause termination willful disobedience due process company rules

Sleeping on the Job: When Can Philippine Employers Terminate for Just Cause?

Philippine employers may terminate employees for sleeping on duty if company rules are violated, but due process and proportionality still matter.

Nov 22, 2000 rape criminal law consent unconscious victim revised penal code

Rape of an Unconscious Person in the Philippines: What the Law Says

Philippine law treats sex with an unconscious person as rape—consent cannot exist without consciousness. Learn the rules from People v. Ramos.

Mar 18, 1999 90-day rule judicial efficiency administrative law speedy disposition supreme court judges

The 90-Day Rule for Judges: What It Means for Speedy Justice in the Philippines

The 90-day rule requires Philippine judges to decide cases promptly. Learn how it works, what happens on delay, and the lessons from a landmark Supreme Court ruling.

Feb 9, 1999 labor law illegal dismissal proportionality just cause progressive discipline termination

Proportionality in Employee Discipline: When Dismissal Is Too Harsh in the Philippines

Philippine labor law requires penalties to fit the offense. Learn when dismissal is disproportionate and how the Supreme Court applies this rule.