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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Accountability Despite Initial Intent Murder Conviction Upheld Absent Treachery BUT With Weakened Defense Qualifying Circumstance
Reasonable Doubt Prevails Safeguarding Rights IN Drug Cases With Strict Chain OF Custody
Compromised Chain of Custody A Blow to Drug Convictions
Supreme Court acquits drug suspect when inventory lacked DOJ representative, stressing strict chain of custody compliance under RA 9165.
Breaking the Chain: Safeguarding Rights in Drug Cases Through Strict Evidence Protocols
A drug conviction reversed because police broke the chain of custody. Learn the strict evidence rules in Philippine drug cases.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: High Court Sets Social Media Evidence Rules
The Supreme Court affirms that Facebook posts can prove psychological abuse under RA 9262, setting guidelines on proving social media authorship and raising penalties for ICT use.
Challenging Drug Possession: Upholding the Chain of Custody in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court acquits a drug possession accused after police failed to justify the absence of required witnesses during inventory, reaffirming the strict chain of custody rule.
Acquittal for Broken Drug Chain of Custody: Grefaldo v. People Explained
A Supreme Court ruling shows why police must strictly follow drug evidence rules, or face acquittal.
Understanding Lascivious Conduct AND Rape Convictions Insights From A Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Case
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: What the Supreme Court Requires for Conviction
Explaining the Supreme Court's strict chain of custody rule in drug cases and why procedural lapses led to acquittal in People v. Zapanta.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Procedural Lapses Lead to Acquittal
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect due to broken chain of custody, underscoring strict compliance with Section 21 of RA 9165.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: When a Sudden Attack Is Not Murder
The Supreme Court clarifies that treachery cannot be presumed from suddenness alone, reducing a murder conviction to homicide in People v. Bulutano.
Psychological Violence Under RA 9262: When Facebook Posts Lead to Conviction
The Supreme Court affirms that public Facebook posts causing mental anguish constitute psychological violence under RA 9262, with higher penalties for ICT use.
Calling Someone a Thief in Public Can Be Slander: Key Lessons from a Condo Dispute
A heated condo dispute led to a slander conviction. Learn when public accusations of theft become criminal oral defamation in the Philippines.
Condominium Board Disputes and Slander: When Words Cross the Line
A condominium board dispute led to a slander conviction. Learn the legal boundaries of speech and the consequences of public accusations.
Deed Restrictions CAN Homeowners Associations Extend Their Term
Can homeowners associations extend deed restrictions beyond their original term? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on extending deed restrictions.
How the Agricultural Free Patent Reform Act Changed Land Ownership Rules in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains how RA 11231 removed restrictions on agricultural free patents, affecting reversion suits and property rights.
Broken Chains: Strict Evidence Rules and Estoppel in Drug Case Bail Forfeitures
The Supreme Court rules that a surety's silence on an agent's unauthorized bail bond can bar claims of invalidity through estoppel.
Protecting Children From Statutory Rape and Acts of Lasciviousness Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms convictions for statutory rape and acts of lasciviousness against an 11-year-old, clarifying penalties and damages.
Treachery Unproven Conviction Reduced to Homicide Absent Deliberate Attack
Supreme Court clarifies that sudden attacks do not automatically constitute treachery, reducing a murder conviction to homicide.
Falsifying MCLE Compliance Numbers: A Supreme Court Lesson in Professional Integrity
Learn how a lawyer's use of a fictitious MCLE number led to disbarment, and what it means for every Philippine practitioner.
Reviving Judgments: The Supreme Court on Delayed Execution and Equity
A sheriff's hasty eviction without the required notice is grave abuse of authority, even when enforcing a final judgment.
Sheriffs Must Follow Procedure in Writ Execution or Face Administrative Liability
A sheriff's duty in executing a writ is ministerial but must strictly follow procedural rules, including notice periods, or face administrative sanctions.
Sheriffs Must Give Due Notice Before Enforcing Writs of Execution
A sheriff who evicts a party without the required notice commits grave abuse of authority. Learn the rules on writ enforcement.
Sheriff's Duty in Eviction: Three-Day Notice Cannot Be Skipped
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies sheriffs must give three-day notice before enforcing eviction writs, even in immediately executory cases.