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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Jurisdictional Boundaries When Courts Collide in Mortgage Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies that factual questions in foreclosure cases are beyond its review, and explains the remedy of consignation.
Father's Betrayal: Upholding Conviction in Incestuous Rape Despite Delayed Reporting
Philippine Supreme Court affirms death penalty for father who raped his 14-year-old daughter, ruling that delayed reporting does not weaken an incestuous rape case.
Witness Credibility and Treachery in Murder Cases: Lessons from People v. Medios
The Supreme Court affirms a murder conviction, explaining how credible eyewitness testimony, conspiracy, and treachery establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Impersonation in Civil Service Exams: CSC Jurisdiction and Due Process in Administrative Cases
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling on CSC jurisdiction over exam irregularities and due process in administrative cases involving impersonation.
The Perils of Silence: Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Delayed Reporting and Minor Inconsistencies
The Supreme Court affirms rape convictions of an uncle despite delayed reporting, minor inconsistencies, and alibi, explaining why silence does not equal consent.
Witness Credibility and Treachery in Murder Cases: People v. Manzano
The Supreme Court affirms a murder conviction based on a lone eyewitness's credible testimony and treachery, explaining key rules on alibi and damages.
Credibility in Rape Cases: Supreme Court on Uncorroborated Testimony and Victim Behavior
SC explains why a rape victim's testimony can stand alone, and why the death penalty needed the relationship alleged in the information.
Rape and the Perils of Unpleaded Qualifying Circumstances: Protecting Due Process in Criminal Accusations
In People v. Laciste, the Supreme Court reduced a death sentence to reclusion perpetua because the victim's minority was not alleged in the information.
Priority in Litigation: Determining Which Case Prevails in Overlapping Contract Disputes
Learn how Philippine courts resolve overlapping contract disputes and which case prevails when judgments appear to conflict.
Rape Shield Protecting Child Victims AND Upholding Justice
The Supreme Court affirms rape convictions based on the credible testimony of a victim, explaining key evidentiary rules in Philippine rape cases.
Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Lack of Physical Evidence: Credible Testimony Suffices
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on rape conviction based on credible testimony, not physical evidence, and the importance of proper allegation of qualifying circumstances.
Strict Rules on Appeal Briefs: Why Technical Defects Can Cost a Case
The Supreme Court explains why a defective appellant's brief can lead to dismissal of an appeal, even if the case has merit.
Positive Identification Over Alibi: When Witness Testimony Prevails in Murder Cases
The Supreme Court explains why positive identification by eyewitnesses outweighs alibi and denial in murder cases, affirming a conviction for treachery.
Parental Authority and Rape: Why Minority Must Be Alleged in Qualified Rape Cases
A Supreme Court ruling explains why a father's conviction for raping his daughter was reduced from death to reclusion perpetua when her minority was not alleged.
Parental Authority VS Statutory Rape Allegation OF Minority Must BE Explicit FOR Qualified Rape Conviction
SC rules minority must be alleged in information for qualified rape; Laciste convicted of simple rape, not death penalty.
Dispositive Portion Prevails Solidary Liability Must Be Explicit
When a decision's body and fallo conflict, the dispositive portion prevails. Solidary liability must be expressly stated.
Eyewitness Testimony VS Alibi Scrutinizing Credibility IN Murder Convictions
Circumstantial Evidence and Res Gestae in Homicide: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
How Philippine courts use circumstantial evidence and res gestae to convict in homicide cases, even without direct eyewitness testimony.
Jurisdiction Over Search Warrants: Criminal Court vs Issuing Court
Once a criminal case is filed in another court, that trial court has jurisdiction over any challenge to the search warrant.
Intrafamilial Rape: Proving Guilt and the Nuances of Consent and Evidence
A father's rape conviction upheld on appeal, clarifying evidence rules, consent issues, and penalty requirements in incestuous rape cases.
Conviction Upheld on Circumstantial Evidence in Carnapping-Murder Case
The Supreme Court explains when circumstantial evidence suffices for conviction and why unproven aggravating circumstances mean reclusion perpetua, not death.
Carnapping Conviction Valid Even Without Extrajudicial Confessions: Circumstantial Evidence Suffices
Conviction for carnapping with homicide can rest on circumstantial evidence even when confessions are thrown out. Learn the rules.
Negligence and Evidence: How Philippine Courts Determine Liability in Quasi-Delict Cases
Learn how Philippine courts weigh evidence in quasi-delict cases, using Supreme Transliner v. Brazal to explain negligence and liability rules.
Intimidation in Rape Cases: Protecting Minor Victims Under Philippine Law
How Philippine courts assess intimidation, delay in reporting, and child testimony in rape cases involving minors.