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.
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.
Graft and Malversation: When Private Funds Become Public Funds Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when private funds become public funds and defines liability for graft and malversation in Arcelo v. People.
Death of the Accused and Criminal Liability: The Rodriguez v. Elorde Ruling
When an accused dies before final judgment, criminal liability is extinguished. But civil liability may survive—here's how.
Qualified Theft vs. Simple Theft: When Does Grave Abuse of Confidence Apply?
The Supreme Court clarifies when employee theft becomes qualified theft, requiring proof of special trust beyond ordinary employer-employee relations.
Conspiracy and Ignominy in Rape Cases: Understanding Criminal Liability
How conspiracy and ignominy widen criminal liability in rape cases under Philippine law, explained through a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Using an Alias in the Philippines: When It Becomes a Crime and the Pequero Case
Using a name different from your registered birth name can be a crime. Learn the rules, penalties, and lessons from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Election Gun Ban and Retroactivity: The Bargado Case Explained
Can a postponed election erase a gun ban violation? The Supreme Court's Bargado ruling explains retroactivity in Philippine election law.
Rape vs. Sexual Abuse: When Force and Lack of Consent Elevates a Crime
A recent Supreme Court ruling clarifies when sexual acts with a minor constitute rape under the Revised Penal Code rather than sexual abuse under R.A. 7610.
Proving Causation in Homicide Cases: The Role of Medical Evidence in the Philippines
Philippine homicide cases require proof beyond reasonable doubt that the accused's actions caused death. Learn how the Supreme Court treats medical evidence and pre-existing conditions.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Lessons from People v. Nelson Sia, Jr.
Understand treachery as a qualifying circumstance in murder under Philippine law, explained through the Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Nelson Sia, Jr.
GCTA Eligibility After Conviction: Guinto v. DOJ Explained
The Supreme Court ruled that the 2019 IRR exceeded R.A. 10592 by excluding heinous crime convicts from GCTA. Here's what it means.
Defense of Relatives in the Philippines: When Is Killing Justified?
Philippine law allows killing to defend a relative, but strict conditions apply. Learn the rules from the Galorio case.
Estafa Acquittal: Why a Faulty Information Violates Due Process in the Philippines
A flawed information can lead to acquittal in estafa cases. Learn how the right to be informed shapes criminal due process in the Philippines.
Proving Adultery in the Philippines: The Valencia Case and the Burden of Proof
Understand the high standard of proof for adultery in the Philippines through the Valencia case, including evidence rules and practical implications.
Moral Ascendancy in Rape Cases: Why Silence Can Prove the Crime
Philippine law recognizes moral ascendancy as a substitute for force in rape cases. Learn what this means for victims and legal strategy.
Civil Liability After Criminal Acquittal: What the Llonillo Case Means
Philippine law allows civil liability to survive a criminal acquittal. Learn the rules and the Supreme Court's ruling in Llonillo.
Qualified Rape vs. Statutory Rape: Supreme Court Clarifies Child Sexual Abuse Law
The Supreme Court clarifies the proper legal designation for child sexual abuse cases, distinguishing qualified rape from statutory rape under Philippine law.
Ghost Employees and Graft Liability: The Supreme Court’s Standard in People v. Reales
The Supreme Court clarifies the burden of proof in ghost employee corruption cases, protecting honest public officials from wrongful conviction.
Qualified Rape and Moral Ascendancy: When Trust Becomes a Weapon
How moral ascendancy can substitute for force in rape cases, and why abusing a position of trust over a minor leads to qualified rape.
Theft vs. Robbery in the Philippines: The Element of Force Explained
Understand the difference between theft and robbery under Philippine law, and how the element of force affects criminal liability and penalties.
Possession of Fake Currency in the Philippines: Knowledge and Intent Under Article 168
Philippine law punishes possession of counterfeit currency only when knowledge and intent to use are proven. The Supreme Court clarifies this in a recent ruling.
Cyber-Enabled Robbery in the Philippines: How RA 10175 Raises Penalties for Digital Extortion
Learn how the Supreme Court applies the Cybercrime Prevention Act to robbery committed through digital means, and why penalties are one degree higher.
Serious Illegal Detention of Minors: What Philippine Law Says
Serious illegal detention of a minor is a grave crime in the Philippines. Learn the elements, penalties, and key lessons from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Accomplice Liability in Direct Bribery: The Gerunda Case Explained
Learn how the Supreme Court defined accomplice liability in direct bribery cases, using the Gerunda ruling to explain key legal principles.