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.
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Reasonable Doubt in Illegal Gambling: Supreme Court Acquits Accused in Cara y Cruz Case
Supreme Court acquits two men of illegal gambling under PD 1602, ruling that vague police testimony cannot overcome the presumption of innocence.
Psychological Incapacity Under Article 36: Abandonment, Infidelity, and the Cabutaje Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies proof requirements for psychological incapacity in the Cabutaje case, addressing abandonment, infidelity, and expert testimony.
Unreliable Eyewitness Testimony: When Flawed Identification Leads to Acquittal
The Supreme Court acquits an accused when eyewitness identification is unreliable. Learn the totality of circumstances test and key safeguards.
Human Trafficking in the Philippines: Qualified Trafficking and Child Protection Under RA 9208
Philippine law treats trafficking of minors as qualified trafficking with severe penalties. A recent Supreme Court ruling shows how victim testimony secures convictions.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Credible Testimony and Medical Evidence in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, explaining how credible victim testimony and medical evidence establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Psychological Incapacity and Expert Testimony: What Zamora v. Zamora Means for Nullity Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that a psychological assessment report is not indispensable in nullity cases—totality of evidence is what matters.
Perpetuation of Testimony: Balancing Due Process and Preventing Fishing Expeditions
The Supreme Court clarifies when perpetuation of testimony is allowed, protecting due process and barring fishing expeditions.
Psychological Incapacity as a Legal Concept: Expert Testimony and Marital Obligations
The Supreme Court clarifies that psychological incapacity is a legal concept, not a medical illness, and psychiatric examination of the spouse is not indispensable.
Navigating Probable Cause When Inconsistent Testimony Impacts Rape Allegations
The Supreme Court clarifies how inconsistent testimony affects probable cause determinations in rape complaints, balancing complainant credibility with constitutional rights.
Redefining Rape Anatomical Thresholds and Victim Testimony in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies the exact anatomical threshold distinguishing attempted from consummated rape through penile penetration, and reaffirms victim testimony standards.
Psychological Incapacity: Proving Marital Nullity Through Totality of Evidence
The Supreme Court clarifies how totality of evidence, including expert testimony, can establish psychological incapacity under Article 36 of the Family Code.
Psychological Incapacity Standard: What Baldovino-Torres v. Torres Means for Philippine Marriage Nullity Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies the psychological incapacity standard under Article 36, emphasizing totality of evidence over expert testimony alone.
Supreme Court Upholds Murder Conviction Despite Eyewitness Recantation
SC affirms murder conviction of man who stabbed victim with double-edged knife, ruling recanted testimony deserves scant weight.
Recanted Testimony: When Prior Statements Overrule a Witness's Change of Heart
The Supreme Court explains when a recanted testimony deserves scant consideration and why prior statements can convict.
Chain of Custody Doubt in Drug Cases Leads to Acquittal
Supreme Court acquits drug suspect after prosecution fails to prove every link in the chain of custody, stressing the need for complete witness testimony.
Psychological Incapacity Proving Marital Nullity Beyond Expert Testimony
The Supreme Court clarifies that psychological incapacity under Article 36 need not be proven by expert testimony alone, but the totality of evidence must still show grave, juridically antecedent, and
Protecting Minors: Upholding Conviction in Child Rape Cases Despite Minor Inconsistencies
The Supreme Court affirms a child rape conviction, ruling that minor inconsistencies in a minor victim's testimony do not undermine credibility.
When a Stabbing Is Homicide, Not Murder: Lessons from Gumawid v. People
The Supreme Court affirms a homicide conviction, explaining how courts weigh eyewitness testimony, denial, and penalty computation under the Revised Penal Code.
The Weight of Eyewitness Testimony in Resolving Conflicts in Homicide Cases
How Philippine courts weigh eyewitness testimony against denial in homicide cases, explained through a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Protecting THE Vulnerable Rape Conviction Upheld Based ON Credible Testimony
Protecting Minors Trafficking Conviction Upheld Despite Evidentiary Challenges
Supreme Court affirms life sentence for trafficking a minor, ruling that stipulated facts and credible testimony suffice despite evidentiary questions.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Credible Testimony of Child Rape Victims as Basis for Conviction
The Supreme Court affirms that a child rape victim's credible testimony, even without medical findings, suffices for conviction and clarifies proof of minority.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Credibility of Victim Testimony and Force in Philippine Law
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction of a police officer, ruling on victim credibility, force and intimidation, and alibi defenses.
Whistleblower Testimony Upholding Administrative Findings in Philippine Corruption Cases
Supreme Court rules a credible whistleblower's lone testimony can support administrative liability in corruption cases against public officers.