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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DNA Evidence and Paternity: Establishing Paternity Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Rape Cases
How the Supreme Court first applied the DNA Rules to confirm paternity and uphold a rape conviction.
Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Imprecise Dates in Information
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction despite vague dates in information, clarifying that exact date is not essential element of rape.
Graft and Corruption: Ensuring Public Officials Uphold Integrity in Infrastructure Projects
Philippine Supreme Court affirms graft convictions of city and barangay officials for defective infrastructure projects under R.A. 3019.
Kidnapping for Ransom with Homicide: Accountability and Admissibility of Confessions
Supreme Court affirms conviction for kidnapping for ransom with homicide, clarifying conspiracy liability and rules on extra-judicial confessions.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Grandfather's Betrayal of Trust and the Testimony of a Child Victim
The Supreme Court affirms a grandfather's qualified rape conviction, relying on the credible testimony of his young granddaughter and medical evidence.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Force, Intimidation, and Carnal Knowledge in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies force, intimidation, and carnal knowledge in rape under RA 8353, affirming a conviction.
Confession as Evidence Overcoming Hearsay in Robbery With Homicide and Carnapping Convictions
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when an accused's confession to a witness is admissible evidence, not hearsay, in robbery with homicide and carnapping cases.
Malversation Conviction Upheld: Signature on Audit Report as Evidence of Accountability
The Supreme Court holds that a municipal treasurer's signature on a COA cash examination report is an acknowledgment of accountability for public funds.
Drug Sale Conviction Affirmed: Entrapment Evidence and Legal Presumptions in Shabu Cases
Supreme Court affirms drug sale and possession conviction, explaining buy-bust operations, entrapment evidence, and presumptions in Philippine drug cases.
Rape and Relationship: Upholding a Conviction Based on the Victim's Testimony and Medical Evidence
In People v. Sulima, the Supreme Court affirmed a rape conviction built on the victim's credible testimony and medical findings, rejecting denial and alibi.
Statutory Rape: Protecting Children and Ensuring Due Process in Criminal Law
A father's conviction for statutory rape upheld, but due process requires every element—including relationship—be alleged in the information.
Treachery in Murder: What the Supreme Court Requires for Conviction
The Supreme Court clarifies treachery as a qualifying circumstance in murder, explaining what evidence proves it and why evident premeditation failed in this case.
Drug Sale Conviction Upheld: Minor Inconsistencies Do Not Undermine Police Testimony
The Supreme Court affirms drug sale and possession convictions, ruling that minor inconsistencies in police testimony do not impair credibility.
Illegal Recruitment and Estafa: Supreme Court Upholds Protection for Overseas Workers
The Supreme Court affirms convictions for illegal recruitment in large scale and estafa, protecting overseas workers from fraudulent recruiters.
Bouncing Checks and Broken Promises: Estafa Conviction Affirmed in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court affirms estafa conviction for bouncing checks, ruling that deceit exists even with prior business relations and contracts.
Conspiracy and Treachery in Murder: Lessons from People v. Sameniano
How the Supreme Court upheld a murder conviction based on conspiracy, treachery, and a credible lone eyewitness.
Rape Conviction Upheld on Credible Victim Testimony; Death Penalty Reduced
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on credible victim testimony and medical evidence, but reduces death penalty to reclusion perpetua.
Protecting Minors Rape Conviction Upheld Clarifying Aggravating Circumstances AND Penalties
Circumstantial Evidence and DNA in Rape with Homicide: When Conviction Stands Beyond Reasonable Doubt
The Supreme Court affirms a rape-with-homicide conviction based on circumstantial evidence, explaining when inconclusive DNA results do not warrant acquittal.
Treachery in Criminal Law: Ensuring Justice for Victims of Deliberate Attacks
How Philippine courts define treachery in murder cases and why a single credible eyewitness can secure a conviction.
Buy-Bust Operations: Ensuring Legality and Upholding Rights in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a drug conviction, clarifying the rules on buy-bust operations, warrantless arrests, and the chain of custody of seized drugs.
Child Witness Credibility in Statutory Rape Cases: People v. Perez
How the Supreme Court affirmed a statutory rape conviction based on a child victim's credible testimony, despite the presumption against rape accusations.
Consummated Rape: Degree of Penetration and Victim Testimony in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on rape penetration, victim testimony, and proof of qualifying circumstances for proper conviction.
The Perils of Alibi: Positive Identification Overrides Defense in Robbery and Rape Case
In People v. Gayeta, the Supreme Court affirmed that positive identification by credible witnesses prevails over an alibi defense in robbery and rape convictions.