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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Plea Bargaining in Drug Cases: DOJ Guidelines and Court Discretion in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies that judges, not DOJ circulars, have the final say on plea bargaining in drug cases.
Lawyers as Dummies in Land Deals: Ethical Breach and Unauthorized Practice
SC suspends lawyer for two years for helping a corporation circumvent free patent rules and for practicing law while mayor.
When Lawyers Serve Two Masters: Ethical Violations in Land Deals and Public Office
The Supreme Court suspended a lawyer-mayor for helping circumvent land ownership rules and practicing law while in public office.
Mitigating Circumstances and Gross Neglect of Duty: Reassessing Penalties in Judiciary Misconduct
The Supreme Court modifies dismissal to suspension for a clerk of court guilty of gross neglect, appreciating mitigating circumstances under amended Rule 140.
Accidental Killing vs Intent: Proving Guilt in Rape with Homicide Cases
The Supreme Court explains when the defense of accident fails in rape with homicide cases, and how circumstantial evidence can prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Defective Informations and Qualifying Circumstances: Lessons from People v. Pilen
The Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Pilen clarifies when defective Informations waive objections and how treachery is proven.
Plea Bargaining in Drug Cases: The Supreme Court Framework and DOJ Guidelines
The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on plea bargaining in drug cases, balancing judicial discretion with prosecutorial consent under A.M. No. 18-03-16-SC and DOJ Circular No. 18.
Circumventing Procurement Laws: Supreme Court Affirms Dismissal of Local Officials
Supreme Court affirms dismissal of Buguias officials who bypassed competitive bidding under R.A. 9184, reinforcing public trust standards.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Jurisdictional Challenges and Circumstantial Evidence
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, clarifying that a prosecutor's lack of written authority does not defeat a court's jurisdiction and that circumstantial evidence can prove carnal knowledge.
Protecting Children from Physical Abuse: The Scope of RA 7610 and the Need to Prove Qualifying Circumstances
The Supreme Court clarifies when physical abuse of children falls under RA 7610 and why qualifying circumstances in rape must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Circumstantial Evidence in Philippine Criminal Cases: Proving Guilt Without Eyewitnesses
How Philippine courts use circumstantial evidence to convict in murder and arson cases, explained through the Camarse ruling.
Plea Bargaining in Drug Cases: Balancing DOJ Guidelines and Judicial Discretion
The Supreme Court clarifies how plea bargaining works in drug cases, balancing DOJ Circular No. 027 with judicial discretion under A.M. No. 18-03-16-SC.
Plea Bargaining in Drug Cases: Court Rules vs Executive Discretion
The Supreme Court settles the conflict between DOJ circulars and its exclusive rule-making power over plea bargaining in drug cases.
Circumstantial Evidence and Dying Declarations in Rape-Homicide Convictions
How the Supreme Court upheld a rape-homicide conviction using circumstantial evidence and the victim's dying declaration.
Moral Turpitude and Public Service: Examining the Boundaries of Mitigation in Administrative Penalties
The Supreme Court clarifies when mitigating circumstances can—and cannot—reduce the penalty of dismissal for conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude.
Tax Collection Prescription: CIR's Collection Efforts Barred by Three-Year Period
Supreme Court affirms CTA ruling that the CIR's right to collect deficiency taxes prescribed after three years from assessment notice.
Qualified Rape and the Uncle Relationship: When an Information Need Not State "Third Civil Degree"
The Supreme Court clarifies when an Information sufficiently alleges the qualifying circumstance of relationship in qualified rape cases involving an uncle.
Qualifying Circumstances in Rape: Proving the Victim's Minority and Relationship
The Supreme Court clarifies how the prosecution may prove a rape victim's minority and relationship, and when a conviction may be upgraded to qualified statutory rape.
Treachery in Robbery with Homicide: The Supreme Court’s Ruling in People v. Juada
The Supreme Court clarifies when treachery aggravates robbery with homicide and affirms conviction based on circumstantial evidence in People v. Juada.
Infanticide in the Philippines: Proving Guilt Through Circumstantial Evidence
Learn how Philippine courts convict in infanticide cases using circumstantial evidence, as shown in People v. Adalia.
Forum Shopping in Tax Appeals: When Multiple Petitions Lead to Dismissal
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on forum shopping in tax appeals, and why only one of two CIR petitions was dismissed.
Parricide Penalties in the Philippines: How Voluntary Surrender Affects Sentencing
Learn how mitigating circumstances like voluntary surrender affect parricide penalties under Philippine law, based on People v. Padilla.
Gross Neglect of Duty and Mitigating Circumstances in Philippine Civil Service
When can mitigating circumstances lessen the penalty for gross neglect of duty? The Supreme Court clarifies in Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas v. Bool.
Attempted Rape with Homicide: Circumstantial Evidence and the Cabornay Case
The Supreme Court affirms that circumstantial evidence can convict in attempted rape with homicide, clarifying the standards under Philippine law.