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.
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.
Statutory Rape and Intellectual Disability: The Villena Ruling Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies that rape of an intellectually disabled person with a mental age below 12 constitutes statutory rape under Philippine law.
Reasonable Doubt and Acquittal: Inconsistent Testimonies in Philippine Homicide Cases
How inconsistent prosecution testimonies can create reasonable doubt and lead to acquittal in Philippine homicide cases, as shown in Balina v. People.
Other Deceits Under Article 318: Lessons from Magalona v. People
Learn how the Supreme Court applied Other Deceits under Article 318 of the Revised Penal Code in Magalona v. People, and what it means for property transactions.
Child Abuse Under RA 7610: Intent as the Key Element
The Supreme Court clarifies that intent to debase or degrade is essential to prove child abuse under RA 7610.
Rape and the Incapacity to Consent: Protecting the Intellectually Disabled in Philippine Law
Philippine law treats rape as a violation of autonomy, especially when the victim cannot consent due to intellectual disability. This article explains the key ruling.
Attempted Estafa in the Philippines: Proving Intent to Defraud and Penalties
Learn how Philippine courts prove intent to defraud in attempted estafa cases, the elements of the crime, and the applicable penalties under the Revised Penal Code.
Estafa by False Pretenses: Proving Fraud Beyond Reasonable Doubt in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts prove estafa by false pretenses, using the Rizza Lao case to explain the elements, burden of proof, and penalties.
Serving Multiple Prison Terms in the Philippines: The Rule on Successive Sentences
Philippine law requires imprisonment terms for multiple offenses to be served successively, not simultaneously. Learn the rule under the Revised Penal Code.
Cutting Utility Lines Without a Permit: Unjust Vexation Under Philippine Law
Learn how the Supreme Court's ruling in Ong Chiu Kwan v. Court of Appeals treats unauthorized cutting of utility lines as unjust vexation.
Conspiracy in Rape Cases: Collective Criminal Liability Under Philippine Law
How Philippine courts apply conspiracy to hold all participants in a gang rape equally liable, even those who did not directly commit the act.
Delayed Reporting in Rape Cases: Why Philippine Courts Trust Victim Testimony
Philippine courts uphold rape convictions despite delayed reporting when victims offer credible reasons. Learn the legal principles from People v. Cano.
Credibility of Rape Victim Testimony: Insights from People vs. Agunos
Philippine courts may convict on a rape victim's credible testimony alone. Learn the rules from People vs. Agunos.
Conspiracy and Mastermind Liability in Philippine Murder Cases: The Sanchez Doctrine
How Philippine courts hold crime masterminds liable for murder through conspiracy, even when they never appear at the crime scene.
Fencing in the Philippines: Why Proof Beyond Reasonable Doubt Matters – Tan v. People Case Analysis
Fencing charges require proof beyond reasonable doubt of every element, including knowledge the goods were stolen. Tan v. People shows why.
Confessions to Media in Philippine Law: The Domantay Case on Custodial Investigation
When are confessions to media admissible in Philippine courts? The Domantay case explains the limits of custodial investigation rights.
Grave Coercion vs. Illegal Detention: How Intent Shapes Philippine Criminal Liability
Philippine law distinguishes grave coercion from illegal detention by the accused's intent. Learn how the Supreme Court applies this test.
Positive Identification in Murder Cases: The Delmendo Ruling on Eyewitness Testimony
How the Supreme Court in People v. Delmendo weighed eyewitness testimony, positive identification, and treachery in affirming a murder conviction.