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.
Insanity Defense in the Philippines: Burden of Proof and Criminal Liability
The insanity defense in Philippine criminal law requires clear proof of mental illness at the time of the crime. This case explains the rules.
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.
When Does Teasing Cross the Line? Understanding Homicide and Sufficient Provocation in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when teasing amounts to sufficient provocation and why a sudden attack may not be treachery.
Dying Declarations vs Res Gestae: Hearsay Exceptions in Philippine Murder Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when a victim's dying words are admissible—as a dying declaration or as res gestae—in a murder conviction.
Treachery in Murder Cases: Why a Heated Argument Can Downgrade the Crime to Homicide
The Supreme Court explains when a killing after a heated argument lacks treachery, reducing murder to homicide under Philippine law.
Self-Defense and Treachery in Philippine Murder Cases: A Landmark Ruling Explained
The Supreme Court explains when self-defense fails and treachery qualifies a killing as murder, with practical guidance from a 2021 ruling.
Understanding Treachery in Murder Cases: Key Insights from Philippine Supreme Court Rulings
The Supreme Court clarifies when treachery qualifies murder, distinguishing sudden attacks from forewarned confrontations in People v. Archivido.
Understanding Treachery in Homicide Cases When Sudden Attacks Don't Qualify as Murder
The Supreme Court clarifies when a sudden attack constitutes treachery, distinguishing murder from homicide in People v. Ukay.
Understanding Aberratio Ictus When A Missed Shot Leads To Complex Crimes In Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains aberratio ictus and complex crimes when a missed shot kills an unintended victim, applying treachery in People v. Bendecio.
Understanding Self-Defense and Treachery in Philippine Murder Cases
A Supreme Court ruling explains when self-defense fails and treachery qualifies a killing as murder under Philippine law.
Understanding Treachery and Evidence in Murder Cases: Insights from a Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Decisi
The Supreme Court clarifies treachery, circumstantial evidence, and CCTV authentication in murder convictions under Philippine law.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: When a Sudden Attack Is Not Murder
The Supreme Court clarifies that treachery cannot be presumed from suddenness alone, reducing a murder conviction to homicide in People v. Bulutano.
Treachery in Criminal Law: When a Sudden Attack Does Not Qualify as Murder
Supreme Court clarifies that sudden attacks after heated altercations may not constitute treachery, reducing murder to homicide.
Treachery Defined: How Sudden Attacks Elevate Homicide to Murder
The Supreme Court explains treachery as a qualifying circumstance in murder, using a 2019 stabbing case to illustrate sudden, unexpected attacks.
Self-Defense and the Degree of Criminal Liability: Distinguishing Homicide From Murder
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a killing is homicide, not murder, and why self-defense must be proven by clear and convincing evidence.
Treachery Unveiled: When Sudden Attack Does Not Mean Murder
Supreme Court clarifies that sudden attack alone does not prove treachery, reducing a murder conviction to homicide.
Treachery Unveiled: Distinguishing Homicide From Murder in Sudden Attacks
The Supreme Court clarifies when sudden attacks amount to treachery, distinguishing murder from homicide in People v. Abina.
Treachery Defined: The Element of Surprise in Philippine Murder Law
A Supreme Court ruling explains what makes a killing treacherous under Philippine law—and why sudden, unexpected attacks qualify as murder.
Homicide vs Murder: When Treachery and Evident Premeditation Fail in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains when a killing is homicide, not murder, because treachery and evident premeditation were not proven.
When a Sudden Stabbing Is Homicide, Not Murder: Lessons from People v. Macaspac
The Supreme Court explains when a sudden attack lacks treachery and evident premeditation, reducing murder to homicide.
Treachery Defined: How Sudden Attacks Qualify as Murder in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains treachery as a qualifying circumstance for murder, using a sudden shooting as a clear example of the rule.
Intent to Kill in Philippine Law: How Courts Prove Homicide and Fix Penalties
Philippine courts explain how intent to kill is proven in homicide cases, and when penalty and damages must be corrected on appeal.
Positive Identification and Alibi in Murder Cases: Lessons from People v. Cuesta
The Supreme Court explains when positive identification prevails over alibi and why sudden attacks do not always amount to treachery.
Treachery and Self-Defense: Defining the Boundaries of Justifiable Homicide in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when a sudden attack amounts to treachery and why claiming self-defense requires proving unlawful aggression.