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.
Upholding Judicial Efficiency: Judges Must Observe Session Hours and Avoid Unnecessary Delays
Supreme Court admonishes judge for absenteeism and delays, reaffirming strict session hours and prompt case disposition as judicial duties.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Victim Credibility, Threats, and Intimidation in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, explaining why a victim's credible testimony and threats of death outweigh claims of normal behavior.
Rape Credibility of a Minor Victim and the Defense of Impotency
In People v. Manahan, the Supreme Court upheld a rape conviction of a 12-year-old girl, ruling on witness credibility, delayed reporting, and the defense of impotency.
Rape Conviction Affirmed Despite Procedural Lapses in Parental Incest Case
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction of father but reduces death penalty to reclusion perpetua due to procedural defects in the information.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Mental Capacity and the Meaning of Force and Intimidation
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains how force and intimidation in rape are judged, especially when the victim has mental retardation and cannot resist.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Consent Not Inferred From Lack of Resistance Under Threat
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, ruling that submission under threat of a knife is not consent, and upholds moral damages award.
Real vs Personal Actions: Mortgage Release Suits and Court Jurisdiction
When is a suit to release a mortgage a real or personal action? The Supreme Court clarifies jurisdiction rules in FEBTC v. Plaza.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Minor Inconsistencies in Testimony Do Not Impair Credibility
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, ruling that trivial inconsistencies in a victim's testimony and the absence of vigorous resistance do not signify consent.
Rape and Intimidation: Why the Absence of Resistance Does Not Mean Consent
The Supreme Court ruled that a rape victim need not resist to the death; submission brought about by intimidation is not consent under Philippine law.
PCGG Authority Over Military Officers and the Limits of Revolutionary Power
Supreme Court ruling on PCGG jurisdiction over military officers, forfeiture of ill-gotten wealth, and the limits of revolutionary power.
When a Rape Conviction Is Set Aside: The Right to Counsel and Clear Judicial Decisions
The Supreme Court nullified a rape conviction because the trial court's decision lacked factual and legal basis, and the accused was deprived of effective counsel.
Rape Conviction Upheld on Victim's Credible Testimony Despite Intact Hymen
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on child victim's credible testimony, clarifies that intact hymen does not negate rape.
Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Minor Inconsistencies THE Importance OF Child Witness Testimony
Incestuous Rape: Moral Ascendancy Replaces Force in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on incestuous rape, where a father's moral ascendancy substitutes for force and intimidation in securing conviction.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails When Positive Identification Conflicts With Inconsistent Testimony
A murder conviction reversed because the prosecution's sole eyewitness gave inconsistent testimony, undermining the claim of positive identification.
Credibility in Rape Cases: Corroborating Testimony and Rejecting the Sweetheart Defense
How Philippine courts weigh victim credibility, corroborating medical evidence, and the sweetheart defense in rape convictions.
Judicial Overreach Approving Bail Outside Jurisdictional Boundaries 2
Supreme Court clarifies venue, exhaustion of administrative remedies, and limits on injunctions in environmental cases.
Upholding Final Judgments The Limits of Annulment Based on Jurisdictional Claims
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on finality of judgments and limits of jurisdictional challenges in annulment cases.
Rape Conviction Upheld Credibility OF Victims Testimony AS Sole Basis FOR Proof Beyond Reasonable Doubt
Rape by Intimidation: Upholding Victim Credibility in Domestic Abuse Cases
SC affirms rape conviction based on victim's credible testimony, rejecting the sweetheart defense and clarifying force and intimidation standards.
Jurisdictional Thresholds for Property Disputes: When Assessed Value Determines the Proper Court
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when property disputes fall under MTC jurisdiction based on assessed value, not the action's caption.
When a Lawyer Cannot Defend Corporate Directors: Conflict of Interest Rules
A lawyer retained by a corporation cannot defend its board members in a derivative suit — that is representing conflicting interests.
Rape Conviction Affirmed Minor Inconsistencies DO NOT Negate A Victims Testimony
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, ruling minor inconsistencies in a victim's testimony do not destroy credibility. Learn the key rules.
Bus Holdups and Homicide: Affirming Guilt but Reducing Penalty Due to Procedural Rules
Philippine Supreme Court affirms robbery with homicide conviction but reduces penalty to reclusion perpetua, acquitting co-accused for lack of proof.