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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Protecting the Vulnerable: Upholding Convictions in Child Rape Cases Based on Credible Testimony
The Supreme Court affirms a child rape conviction, explaining why a young victim's credible testimony and medical evidence outweigh alibi and denial.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails Inconsistencies IN Rape Testimony Lead TO Acquittal
Protecting THE Accused HOW Proof OF A Minors AGE Impacts Rape Case Penalties IN THE Philippines
Rape Conviction Stands Even Without Physical Injury: Absence of Genital Wounds Does Not Mean Consent
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: rape of a mentally incapacitated victim needs no genital injury; absence of wounds does not imply consent.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails When Identification in Rape Cases Must Be Unequivocal
Explaining why proof of a victim's minority in rape cases must be independent and clear, not based on testimony alone.
The Unbreakable Chain: How Circumstantial Evidence and a Guilty Plea Led to a Death Sentence in a Rape-Homicid
A look at how circumstantial evidence and a guilty plea can lead to the death penalty in a Philippine rape-homicide case, and what this means for criminal prosecutions.
Rape and Incest: Consanguinity as an Aggravating Factor in Philippine Sexual Abuse Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on incestuous rape, where a father's conviction was upheld but death penalty reduced to reclusion perpetua.
Incestuous Rape: Moral Ascendancy as Intimidation and General Dates in Informations
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on incestuous rape clarifies moral ascendancy as intimidation and the validity of general dates in criminal informations.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails When Inconsistencies and Recanted Testimony Lead to Acquittal in Rape Cases
When a rape victim's testimony has material inconsistencies, plus evidence of frame-up and a recanted affidavit, reasonable doubt may compel acquittal.
Statutory Rape: Why Pleading Qualifying Circumstances in the Information Matters
A Supreme Court ruling shows why prosecutors must allege both the victim's minority and relationship to the accused to justify the death penalty.
Circumstantial Evidence Sufficiency Convicting Accused IN Rape With Homicide Cases
When can circumstantial evidence convict in rape with homicide? The Supreme Court explains the rules in People v. Gannaban.
Incestuous Rape: Why Explicit Allegations Matter for the Death Penalty
The Supreme Court acquits a stepfather of rape, stressing that material inconsistencies in the victim's testimony and evidence of frame-up defeat conviction.
Credibility in Rape Cases: How Minor Inconsistencies Don't Undermine Conviction
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how minor inconsistencies in a rape victim's testimony do not defeat conviction when credibility is established.
Confession and Criminal Liability: Disentangling Rape and Homicide in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when a confession proves homicide but not rape, and how Philippine courts distinguish the two crimes.
Rape Conviction Upheld: The Victim's Testimony and a Minor's Inability to Consent
In People v. Serado, the Supreme Court affirmed a rape conviction, ruling that a child under twelve is legally incapable of consenting to sexual acts.
Defining Qualified Rape: The Critical Elements for Imposing the Death Penalty
The Supreme Court clarifies when rape with homicide warrants the death penalty, requiring proof of both crimes beyond reasonable doubt.
Statutory Rape and Parental Authority: Why the Supreme Court Upheld a Father's Conviction
The Supreme Court affirms a father's rape conviction, explaining how parental moral ascendancy substitutes for force and why proof of age matters for the death penalty.
Rape and Intimidation: When a Father's Moral Ascendancy Substitutes for Force
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on incestuous rape, moral ascendancy, and why the death penalty was reduced to reclusion perpetua.
Rape, Fear, and Testimony: Lessons from People v. Cesista
A father's moral ascendancy can substitute for force in rape. Learn the rules on victim testimony, intimidation, and penalties.
Perfecting Appeals and Court Jurisdiction: What Rape Convictions Teach About Proper Allegations
Learn how the Supreme Court reduced a death sentence to reclusion perpetua because the information failed to allege the victim's minority.
Simple vs Qualified Rape: Why Allegations in the Information Matter
The Supreme Court explains why the death penalty for qualified rape requires both minority and relationship to be alleged in the information.
Betrayal of Trust: Incestuous Rape and the Upholding of Victim Testimony in Philippine Courts
A stepgrandfather's rape conviction upheld on appeal, but the death penalty was reduced to reclusion perpetua for lack of minority allegation.
Rape Conviction Upheld: The Unreliability of Recantations in Rape Cases
Philippine Supreme Court affirms death penalty for incestuous rape, explaining why delayed reporting and retractions do not destroy a victim's credible testimony.
Timeliness Matters: A Judge's Duty to Promptly Resolve Cases Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction while reminding judges of their duty to decide cases promptly, exploring the importance of timely justice.