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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Rape and the Qualifying Circumstance of Relationship: Proper Allegation for Death Penalty
In People v. Aguilar, the Supreme Court lowered a death sentence to reclusion perpetua because the alleged relationship differed from the one proven.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Statutory Rape and the Duty to Shield Children
The Court affirms a statutory rape conviction, explaining why a child's consent is immaterial and why the law must shield the young.
Protecting Children: Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Errors in Legal Citations
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction of child's neighbor, clarifies correct law under RA 8353, and finds two counts of rape.
Rape of a Person Deprived of Reason: Evidence and Conviction in People v. Lindo
The Supreme Court clarifies rape of a person deprived of reason, evidence admissibility, and conviction standards in People v. Lindo.
Rape Conviction Stands Despite Technicality Protecting Minors IN THE Philippines
Moral Ascendancy vs Consent: Understanding Rape and Acts of Lasciviousness in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies rape, attempted rape, and acts of lasciviousness under Philippine law, including the role of moral ascendancy and intimidation.
Rape Conviction Upheld: The Weight of a Child’s Testimony in Abuse by a Stepfather
The Supreme Court affirms a stepfather’s qualified rape conviction, explaining why a child’s consistent testimony outweighs minor inconsistencies and alibi.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Statutory Rape and the Primacy of the Victim's Testimony
The Supreme Court affirms a statutory rape conviction, explaining why a credible victim's testimony outweighs minor inconsistencies and medical report details.
Protecting Minors: Conviction for Statutory Rape and Acts of Lasciviousness Affirmed
The Supreme Court affirms a conviction for statutory rape and acts of lasciviousness against minors, clarifying key legal principles on carnal knowledge and penalties.
Statutory Rape Absence OF Consent Irrelevant When Victim IS Under 12
Statutory Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Alibi Defense: Garbida Case
The Supreme Court upheld Roberto Garbida's conviction for seven counts of statutory rape, ruling that a child's consent is immaterial under Article 335 of the Revised Penal Code.
In Rape Cases, Credible Victim Testimony Prevails Over Uncorroborated Alibis
In People v. Alegre, the Supreme Court affirmed a rape conviction where the victim's credible testimony and the physical evidence outweighed an uncorroborated alibi.
Protecting Minors: Why Anger or Resentment Cannot Justify Rape Accusations in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that rape accusations against minors cannot be dismissed as products of anger or resentment, upholding conviction based on credible testimony.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Mental Retardation and the Assessment of Force and Consent
A Supreme Court ruling explains why a rape charge built on force and intimidation does not require the victim's mental retardation to be alleged in the information.
Incestuous Rape Conviction Affirmed Despite Doubts on Victim's Behavior
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, ruling that a victim's initial inconsistent reports and lack of bruises do not negate the crime.
Statutory Rape Conviction Upheld: Slightest Penetration Suffices Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court affirms statutory rape convictions, clarifying that slight penetration and credible child testimony are enough to convict.
Protecting the Vulnerable: The Primacy of Victim Testimony in Statutory Rape Cases
How the Supreme Court affirmed that a minor victim's credible testimony alone can sustain a statutory rape conviction.
Rape and Consent: Establishing Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Philippine Law
A look at how Philippine courts handle rape cases involving victims with mental disabilities, and what constitutes force and consent.
Robbery With Rape Conviction: Victim Testimony Prevails Over Alibi Defense
Supreme Court affirms robbery with rape conviction, holding that a victim's positive identification prevails over an accused's weak alibi defense.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Victim Testimony and Positive Identification in Philippine Law
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, ruling that a victim's positive identification and credible testimony can overcome alibi and denial defenses.
Stepfather Convicted of Statutory Rape and Acts of Lasciviousness
The Supreme Court affirms the conviction of a stepfather for statutory rape and acts of lasciviousness against his minor stepdaughter, clarifying penalties and damages.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Upholding Convictions in Statutory Rape Cases Despite Familial Settings
The Supreme Court affirms a stepfather's statutory rape conviction, ruling that a child victim's failure to resist or shout does not negate rape.
Protecting Children: The Unwavering Credibility of a Minor's Testimony in Rape Cases
In People v. Garcia, the Supreme Court upheld a rape conviction based largely on the testimony of a five-year-old victim, reinforcing settled rules on child credibility.
Confessions and Circumstantial Evidence in Rape with Homicide Cases: People v. Sace
The Supreme Court affirms a rape-with-homicide conviction based on circumstantial evidence and a spontaneous confession, explaining key evidentiary rules.