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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Conspiracy and Murder by Hired Killers: When One Co-Accused's Acquittal Does Not Free Another
A look at how the Supreme Court upheld murder convictions based on conspiracy, positive identification, and circumstantial evidence in a hired killing.
Exhaustion Doctrine Prevails Jurisdiction Cannot BE Circumvented BY Direct Resort TO Courts
Direct court resort without exhausting administrative remedies is fatal, as Gonzales v. Court of Appeals shows.
Homicide Conviction Reversed: The Importance of Pleading Treachery in Criminal Informations
Supreme Court clarifies that qualifying circumstances like treachery must be alleged in the Information, or the accused can only be convicted of the lesser crime.
Tax Exemptions Are Strictly Construed: The Sea-Land Service Ruling
Philippine tax exemptions are strictly construed. Learn how the Supreme Court denied a US shipping firm's tax refund claim in Sea-Land Service, Inc. v. CIR.
Positive Identification Prevails Over Alibi In Robbery With Homicide Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on People v. Legaspi: how positive identification defeats alibi and why aggravating circumstances must be alleged in the information.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails Over Circumstantial Evidence in Drug Transportation Case
The Supreme Court acquits a drug transport accused, ruling that circumstantial evidence must exclude every reasonable hypothesis of innocence.
When Self-Defense Fails: Robbery With Homicide and the Limits of Justifying Circumstances
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies robbery with homicide, aggravating circumstances, and why self-defense claims need more than denial.
Rape Conviction Overturned: The Critical Need for Explicitly Stating Aggravating Circumstances in Criminal Inf
Why the Supreme Court reduced a death sentence to reclusion perpetua when aggravating circumstances weren't alleged in the Information.
Witness Credibility and the Perils of Delayed Justice: Analyzing Testimonial Inconsistencies in Murder Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on witness credibility, police blotter discrepancies, and why aggravating circumstances must be alleged in the information to justify the death penalty.
Rape Conviction and Venue: When Aggravating Circumstances Must Be Alleged
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why aggravating circumstances like dwelling and nighttime must be alleged in the information to justify the death penalty.
When Identification Fails: The Teves Parricide Acquittal and the Limits of Circumstantial Evidence
The Supreme Court acquits a parricide convict, showing how suggestive identification and weak circumstantial evidence cannot support a conviction beyond reasonable doubt.
Eyewitness Identification and Child Rape Testimony: Lessons from People v. Padilla
How Philippine courts assess a child rape victim's testimony, qualifying circumstances for death penalty, and evidentiary rules.
Reasonable Doubt and Criminal Liability: Homicide, Conspiracy, and the Limits of Witness Testimony in the Phil
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies reasonable doubt, conspiracy, and qualifying circumstances in a murder appeal that became homicide.
When the Supreme Court Corrects Aggravating Circumstances in Murder Convictions
A look at People v. Cachola, where the High Court affirmed murder convictions but corrected the trial court's appreciation of aggravating circumstances.
Beyond Words: Establishing Rape Through Credible Testimony and Circumstantial Evidence
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how credible witness testimony and circumstantial evidence can establish rape convictions.
Procedural Lapses Can Nullify Agrarian Appeals: Mito v. Court of Appeals
Learn how failure to follow appeal rules under SC Circular 1-95 cost an agrarian beneficiary his case in Mito v. Court of Appeals.
Circumstantial Evidence Conviction: Murder Reduced to Homicide in Icalla Case
Supreme Court explains when circumstantial evidence suffices for conviction and why murder was reduced to homicide in People v. Icalla.
Rape Conviction Stands But Death Penalty Reduced: Qualifying Circumstances Must Be Alleged in the Information
A rape conviction stands, but the Supreme Court reduces the death penalty to reclusion perpetua because minority and relationship were not alleged in the information.
Incestuous Rape: When Parental Authority Cannot Shield a Father's Crime
The Supreme Court affirms a father's rape conviction but rules that unalleged qualifying circumstances bar the death penalty.
Unlicensed Firearm Possession vs Aggravating Circumstance: The Nuñez Ruling
When does illegal possession of a firearm become a separate crime versus an aggravating circumstance? The Supreme Court clarifies in People v. Nuñez.
Rape Conviction and the Death Penalty: When Relationship Must Be Alleged in the Information
The Supreme Court affirms a death sentence for rape, explaining when the qualifying circumstance of relationship must be alleged and proven.
Eyewitness Credibility and Circumstantial Evidence in Murder Convictions
How Philippine courts weigh eyewitness testimony and circumstantial evidence to convict in murder cases, explained through People v. Capitle.
Circumstantial Evidence Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Murder Cases
How circumstantial evidence can prove murder beyond reasonable doubt, explained through People v. Capitle.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Credibility of Witness Testimony and Circumstantial Evidence
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on credible witness testimony and circumstantial evidence, explaining rules on unconscious victims and alibi.