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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Treachery in Murder: What the Supreme Court Requires for Conviction
The Supreme Court clarifies treachery as a qualifying circumstance in murder, explaining what evidence proves it and why evident premeditation failed in this case.
Brokers Entitlement Commission Rights Despite Sale Circumvention
Provocation and Intent When a Fistfight Leads to Unexpected Consequences
A lucky punch in a fistfight caused death. The Court ruled on provocation, intent, and mitigating circumstances in homicide.
Protecting Minors Rape Conviction Upheld Clarifying Aggravating Circumstances AND Penalties
Circumstantial Evidence and DNA in Rape with Homicide: When Conviction Stands Beyond Reasonable Doubt
The Supreme Court affirms a rape-with-homicide conviction based on circumstantial evidence, explaining when inconclusive DNA results do not warrant acquittal.
SEC Memorandum Circulars: Publication and Filing Required for Effectivity
Supreme Court rules SEC Memorandum Circular No. 2, Series of 1994 invalid for lack of publication and filing, affecting filing fee assessments.
Rape and Reasonable Doubt: Why the Supreme Court Spared an Incestuous Father from Death
The Supreme Court explains why a father convicted of raping his daughter was sentenced to reclusion perpetua, not death, for lack of proof of qualifying circumstances.
Consummated Rape: Degree of Penetration and Victim Testimony in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on rape penetration, victim testimony, and proof of qualifying circumstances for proper conviction.
Sheriffs Neglect OF Duty A Balance Between Justice AND Mitigating Circumstances
Guilt by Association: Circumstantial Evidence and Conviction in the Philippines
How Philippine courts use circumstantial evidence to convict, explained through a murder case where no one saw the killing.
Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt: Confessions and Corroboration in Murder and Homicide Cases
How Philippine courts weigh confessions, corroborating testimony, and circumstantial evidence to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt in murder and homicide cases.
Diminished Liability Distinguishing Homicide From Murder in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains when abuse of superior strength fails as a qualifying circumstance, reducing murder to homicide in the Philippines.
Homicide and Self-Defense: Burden of Proof and Mitigating Circumstances
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains why self-defense must be proven by the accused and how courts assess voluntary surrender and damages in homicide cases.
Circumstantial Evidence in Arson with Homicide: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
How Philippine courts use circumstantial evidence to convict in arson with homicide cases, explained through People v. Gil.
Security of Tenure Prevails: Fixed-Term Contracts Must Not Circumvent Workers’ Rights
The Supreme Court rules that fixed-term contracts cannot be used to circumvent an employee's security of tenure under Philippine labor law.
Judicial Impartiality: Why Court Employees Must Follow OCA Circular No. 7-2003 on Daily Time Records
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on AWOL, DTR compliance, and discipline for court personnel under OCA Circular No. 7-2003.
Circumstantial Evidence and Conviction: Rape with Homicide Requires Moral Certainty
When can circumstantial evidence convict someone of rape with homicide? The Supreme Court explains the moral certainty standard.
Breach of Duty and Mitigating Circumstances: Balancing Justice and Compassion in Public Service Misconduct
When a clerk of court faces dismissal for fund shortages, mitigating circumstances can temper the penalty. The Supreme Court explains how.
Circumstantial Evidence and Conviction: The Nover Bryan Salvador Case
When can circumstantial evidence alone convict an accused? The Supreme Court explains in this landmark Philippine homicide case.
Evaluating Witness Credibility When a Trial Court’s Findings Prevail in Homicide Cases
How Philippine courts weigh witness credibility in homicide cases, why trial court findings prevail on appeal, and the role of circumstantial evidence.
Clerks of Court Upholding Fiscal Responsibility and Public Trust in Handling Court Funds
A clerk of court fined for collecting transportation allowance without issuing official receipts, violating Rule 141 and Supreme Court Circular No. 26-97.
Double Jeopardy in Administrative Penalties: When a Mitigating Circumstance Cannot Be Reused
The Supreme Court clarifies that a mitigating circumstance used to downgrade an offense cannot be reused to further reduce the administrative penalty.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Credibility, Alibi, and Qualifying Circumstances
The Supreme Court affirms a stepfather's rape conviction, explaining why a child victim's credible testimony outweighs alibi and why unalleged qualifying circumstances reduce the penalty.
Tax Refunds for International Carriers: Who Really Owns the Claim?
A look at Silkair v. CIR on excise tax refunds, indirect taxes, and the strict rules on counsel of record.