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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Justice Prevails Circumstantial Evidence AND THE Pursuit OF Truth IN Criminal Law
A grandfather's rape conviction affirmed by the Supreme Court, showing how Philippine courts weigh a child victim's testimony against denial.
Certiorari Limits: SEC En Banc Can't Fix Attachment Errors in Partnership Disputes
The Supreme Court nullified SEC en banc orders discharging an attachment in a law partnership dispute, ruling certiorari only corrects jurisdictional errors.
Rape Conviction Affirmed Intimidation AS Sufficient Force IN Sexual Assault Cases
Breach of Professional Duty Attorneys Must Avoid Representing Conflicting Interests
Lawyers who represent conflicting interests violate the Code of Professional Responsibility and face suspension from the practice of law.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Statutory Rape and the Preservation of Child Welfare in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms six counts of statutory rape, underscoring that a child's consent is immaterial and that young victims' testimony deserves full credence.
Statutory Rape in the Philippines: Protecting Children and Upholding Justice
The Supreme Court affirms six convictions for statutory rape, clarifying how Philippine law protects minors and assesses child testimony.
Dying Declarations and Alibi in Philippine Homicide Cases: The Anacan Ruling
How the Supreme Court clarified eyewitness identification, alibi, and treachery in homicide cases, reducing a murder conviction to homicide.
Eyewitness Testimony and Abuse of Superior Strength in Murder Conviction
Supreme Court affirms murder conviction based on child eyewitness testimony, finding abuse of superior strength where three men attacked a defenseless woman.
Corporate Officer vs Employee: Who Has Jurisdiction Over Illegal Dismissal Claims
The Supreme Court clarifies when an illegal dismissal case belongs to labor courts or the SEC/RTC in corporate officer disputes.
Moral Ascendancy as a Substitute for Force in Child Rape Cases
Philippine Supreme Court explains how an uncle's moral ascendancy over a child victim substitutes for force or intimidation in statutory rape.
Upholding Estafa Conviction: The Supreme Court Reinforces Finality of Factual Findings in Appeals
A look at how the Supreme Court affirmed an estafa conviction and reiterated that factual findings of lower courts are binding.
Burden of Proof in Rape Cases: Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt Explained
Learn how Philippine courts establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt in rape cases, from victim testimony to the prosecution's burden of proof.
Circumstantial Evidence in Rape-Homicide Cases: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
How the Supreme Court upheld a rape-homicide conviction based on circumstantial evidence, not direct testimony, in People v. Felixminia.
Parental Authority vs. Child's Rights: Redefining Consent in Statutory Rape Cases
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that a stepfather's common-law status affects rape penalties, not the victim's consent or conviction.
Rape Conviction Upheld but Death Penalty Cut Over Defective Information
The Supreme Court affirmed a stepfather's rape conviction but reduced the death penalty to reclusion perpetua because the information wrongly alleged a step relationship.
Treachery in Murder: Sudden Unexpected Attack Ensures Conviction
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains how treachery qualifies killing as murder, with practical guidance on proving sudden attacks.
Prior Payment of Check Value as Defense in Bouncing Checks Cases
When does paying the check amount before prosecution bar a B.P. 22 conviction? The Supreme Court explains in Griffith v. Court of Appeals.
Credibility of Rape Victim's Testimony Alone Can Uphold Conviction
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on rape conviction based on victim's credible testimony, and why death penalty requires minority alleged in information.
When a Final Judgment Limits Liability: Execution Cannot Add Interest
A writ of execution must strictly follow the final judgment. Adding interest not decreed by the court is void.
Rape Conviction Hinges on Specific Allegations Protecting the Rights of the Accused
The Supreme Court vacated a death sentence for incestuous rape because the trial court failed to conduct a searching inquiry into the accused's guilty plea.
Diminished Conviction Reassessing Guilt IN Rape Homicide Cases Based ON Circumstantial Evidence
The Supreme Court clarifies that circumstantial evidence can prove murder but not rape, reducing death penalty to reclusion perpetua.
Custodial Trust AND Betrayal Examining THE Deliberate Failure TO Return A Minor
A babysitter's brief custody of a newborn becomes a kidnapping conviction under Article 270, explaining deliberate failure to return.
Rape Conviction Upheld BUT Death Penalty Reduced THE Importance OF Proving Qualifying Circumstances
The Supreme Court reduced a death sentence to reclusion temporal after finding the prosecution failed to prove robbery and nighttime as aggravating circumstances.
Jurisdictional Challenge Too Late: Estoppel Bars Belated Attacks on DARAB Authority
A party who actively participates in DARAB proceedings cannot belatedly challenge jurisdiction on appeal. The Supreme Court explains estoppel by laches.