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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Chain of Custody and Drug Cases: Ensuring Evidence Integrity
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect when police fail to justify non-compliance with Section 21 of RA 9165, emphasizing evidence integrity.
Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention: Victim's Testimony as Primary Evidence
In People v. Fajardo, the Supreme Court ruled that a victim's credible testimony alone can convict kidnappers, even without confessions.
Possession Is Prima Facie Evidence: Understanding Fencing Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains how mere possession of stolen goods can convict a person of fencing under PD 1612, and clarifies the proper penalty.
Broken Chain of Custody: When Drug Evidence Lapses Lead to Acquittal
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect after police failed to justify missing witnesses during evidence handling, reinforcing strict chain of custody rules.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: How Gaps in Evidence Led to an Acquittal
In People v. Año, the Supreme Court acquitted a drug-sale accused because the prosecution failed to justify missing witnesses in the chain of custody.
Credible Testimony Alone Sufficient for Rape Conviction Despite Lack of Physical Evidence
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a rape conviction can rest on credible victim testimony alone, even without medical or physical evidence of penetration.
Chain of Custody Rule: Why Drug Evidence Integrity Is Crucial in Philippine Drug Cases
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police failed to justify deviations from the Section 21 chain of custody rule.
Compromised Evidence Safeguarding Drug Integrity IN Anti Drug Operations
When police fumble the chain of custody, drug convictions fail. A 2018 Supreme Court ruling shows why procedure matters.
Chains OF Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence Integrity
Compromised Chain of Custody Leads to Acquittal in Drug Cases: Integrity of Evidence Crucial
Supreme Court acquits drug suspect after PDEA operatives fail to justify deviations from Section 21 chain of custody rule under RA 9165.
Chain of Custody: Why Immediate Marking of Drug Evidence Matters in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court acquits drug suspect due to broken chain of custody, highlighting the crucial requirement of immediate evidence marking.
Chain of Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court acquits an accused because police failed to properly mark seized shabu, breaking the chain of custody.
Protecting Minors: Rape Conviction Upheld Based on Credible Testimony and Corroborating Evidence
The Supreme Court affirmed a rape conviction built on a child victim's credible testimony and medical findings, stressing that hymenal laceration is not an element of rape.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Victim Credibility and Corroborating Testimony in Sexual Assault Cases
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, ruling that a minor victim's credible testimony, corroborated by medical evidence, suffices for conviction.
Circumstantial Evidence and Conspiracy in Homicide Cases: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
How Philippine courts use circumstantial evidence and conspiracy to establish guilt in homicide cases beyond reasonable doubt.
When Doubt Benefits the Accused: Integrity of Evidence in Philippine Criminal Cases
A Supreme Court ruling on reasonable doubt, witness credibility, and the prosecution's burden in election-period weapon possession cases.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails: Circumstantial Evidence and the Burden of Proof in Rape Cases
A father's rape conviction was reversed when circumstantial evidence failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt, reaffirming the prosecution's burden in criminal cases.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Integrity of Seized Drugs and Fair Conviction
Why the chain of custody rule in drug cases matters, and how lapses affect the integrity of evidence and the accused's conviction.
Bail vs Demurrer: Why Different Evidence Standards Apply in Provisional Liberty and Acquittal
The Supreme Court clarifies why bail hearings use a lower evidence standard than demurrers to evidence, which can lead to acquittal.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: When Police Lapses Lead to Acquittal
A drug conviction requires an unbroken chain of custody. Learn what gaps in evidence handling can lead to acquittal.
Safeguarding Rights: Chain of Custody and Drug Evidence Integrity in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect over broken chain of custody, underscoring strict compliance with Section 21, RA 9165.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Upholding Convictions in Familial Rape Cases
A Supreme Court ruling affirms that a child rape victim's testimony, corroborated by medical evidence, can sustain a conviction even when relatives are the accused.
Reasonable Doubt: Drug Evidence Procedure Failures Lead to Acquittal
Explaining how failure to follow Section 21 chain of custody rules in drug cases can lead to acquittal, citing People v. Que.
Chain of Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence Integrity in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police failed to justify deviations from Section 21, RA 9165, highlighting the importance of the chain of custody rule.