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.
Circumstantial Evidence and Conviction: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Homicide Cases
How the Supreme Court upheld a murder conviction based on circumstantial evidence, explaining the rules on conspiracy, treachery, and damages.
Circumstantial Evidence and Conspiracy: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Murder Cases
How the Supreme Court upheld a murder conviction based on circumstantial evidence and conspiracy, explaining the rules for proving guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
When Can a Judge Be Held Liable for Granting Bail: Key Lessons from Goodman v. De la Victoria
A judge who grants bail without a real hearing may face administrative liability. Learn the rules from a Supreme Court ruling.
Protecting Childhood: Supreme Court Upholds Conviction in Child Rape Case
The Supreme Court affirms a reclusion perpetua conviction for statutory rape of a nine-year-old, clarifying rules on victim credibility, alibi, and damages.
Rape Conviction Upheld Victims Testimony Sufficient Despite Lack OF Medical Evidence
Eyewitness Testimony and the Defense of Alibi: Scrutinizing Identification in Criminal Convictions
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on eyewitness identification, alibi, and treachery in murder convictions, explained in plain language.
Treachery and Witness Credibility: Proving Murder Beyond Reasonable Doubt
How the Supreme Court weighed witness credibility, treachery, and circumstantial evidence in affirming a murder conviction with modifications.
Rape and the Mitigating Circumstance of Minority: Protecting Minors From Sexual Abuse
The Supreme Court affirms rape convictions but applies the mitigating circumstance of minority, reducing penalties while increasing damages for the victim.
Philippine Red Cross Ruling: Ombudsman Jurisdiction Over Government Controlled Corporations
Supreme Court clarifies that the Philippine Red Cross is a government-owned corporation, placing its employees under Ombudsman jurisdiction.
Rape Conviction Affirmed Despite Minor Testimonial Inconsistencies: People v. Arafiles
The Supreme Court affirms rape convictions despite minor inconsistencies in the victim's testimony, explaining why minor contradictions do not destroy credibility.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Credibility, Physical Evidence, and the Weight of Medical Findings
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, explaining how medical evidence and credible testimony outweigh minor inconsistencies in the complainant's account.
Eyewitness Testimony of a Child Upholds Double Murder Conviction
The Supreme Court affirms a double murder conviction based on a five-year-old eyewitness's clear and positive identification of the accused.
Justice for the Silenced: How Witness Testimony Overcame Trauma in a Murder Conviction
The Supreme Court affirms a murder conviction based on a child eyewitness's testimony, ruling that credible witness accounts prevail over a weak alibi.
Treachery in Criminal Law: Defining Sudden and Unexpected Attacks in Murder Cases
In People v. Cabande, the Supreme Court explains how treachery qualifies a killing as murder and why a sudden attack leaves victims unable to defend themselves.
Breach of Trust: When a Father's Affection Turns to Abuse
In People v. Nicolas, the Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of a father for raping his own daughter, ruling that moral ascendancy and threats replace force.
Legislative Immunity vs. Criminal Conviction: The Jalosjos Ruling
The Supreme Court ruled that election to Congress does not exempt a convicted legislator from imprisonment while his criminal appeal is pending.
When Prison Bars the Legislative Seat: Jalosjos and the Limits of Congressional Immunity
The Supreme Court ruled that a convicted congressman cannot claim parliamentary immunity to attend sessions while detained for a non-bailable offense.
Identifying Perpetrators Upholding Convictions IN Robbery With Rape Through Credible Witness Testimony
The Supreme Court affirms robbery with rape convictions, ruling that credible witness identification prevails over alibi and minor inconsistencies.
Rape Conviction Stands Even If Accused Claims Consensual Affair
A claim of a romantic relationship does not negate rape if force was used. The Supreme Court explains why consent matters.
Treachery in Concerted Attacks: Establishing Liability in Group Violence
How Philippine courts determine criminal liability when multiple persons attack a victim, using the Alberto Blanco murder case as a guide.
When Official Duty Shields a Lawyer from Personal Liability for Conflict Claims
Explaining when government lawyers cannot be held personally liable for alleged conflicts of interest under the Anti-Graft law.
Distinguishing Homicide From Robbery With Homicide: Intent Is the Decisive Factor
The Supreme Court explains when taking a victim's property after a killing is theft, not robbery with homicide.
Positive Identification Prevails Over Alibi in Murder Conviction
Supreme Court affirms murder conviction where eyewitness positively identified the accused, rejecting alibi and denial defenses. Learn the legal rules.
When Self Defense Fails: Unlawful Aggression as a Prerequisite in Homicide Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why self-defense fails when unlawful aggression ceases, using a police officer's homicide conviction as the key example.