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 Incest: Protecting Minors in Familial Abuse Cases
A father convicted of raping his 15-year-old daughter twice; the Supreme Court affirms conviction but reduces death penalty to reclusion perpetua.
Rape and Parental Authority: Why Proof Beyond Reasonable Doubt Still Matters in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court acquits father in incestuous rape case, ruling that parental authority and relationship alone cannot substitute for proof beyond reasonable doubt.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Rape of a Person Deprived of Reason and the Boundaries of Consent
The Supreme Court affirms that a mentally retarded rape victim cannot consent to sexual acts, clarifying the law on persons deprived of reason.
Rape AND Intimidation THE Supreme Courts Stance ON Victim Testimony AND Evidence
Rape Conviction Affirmed: The Weight of a Victim's Testimony and Corroborating Medical Evidence
A look at how the Supreme Court upheld a rape conviction, relying on the victim's credible testimony and medical findings.
Rape Conviction Upheld Intimidation AS Force IN Cases Involving Minors
Reasonable Doubt Prevails: Scrutinizing Rape Allegations in Philippine Courts
The Supreme Court acquits an uncle of rape, emphasizing that flawed and inconsistent victim testimony cannot overcome the presumption of innocence.
Rape Convictions Hinge on Credible Victim Testimony: People v. Villaflores
A rape conviction requires clear, consistent victim testimony. The Supreme Court explains why in People v. Villaflores.
Intact Hymen Does Not Preclude Rape Conviction: Slight Penetration Is Sufficient
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that an intact hymen does not negate rape; even the slightest penetration of the female organ constitutes consummated rape.
Reasonable Doubt IN Rape Cases THE Imperative OF Credible Testimony AND Corroborating Evidence
Rape and Relationship: Clarifying Qualifying Circumstances for Imposing the Death Penalty
The Supreme Court clarifies that qualifying circumstances like relationship must be properly alleged in the Information for the death penalty to apply.
Father's Betrayal: Upholding Conviction in Incestuous Rape Despite Delayed Reporting
Philippine Supreme Court affirms death penalty for father who raped his 14-year-old daughter, ruling that delayed reporting does not weaken an incestuous rape case.
Positive Identification and Conspiracy in Rape With Homicide Cases
Learn how Philippine courts weigh eyewitness identification against alibi, and how conspiracy is proven in violent crimes.
The Perils of Silence: Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Delayed Reporting and Minor Inconsistencies
The Supreme Court affirms rape convictions of an uncle despite delayed reporting, minor inconsistencies, and alibi, explaining why silence does not equal consent.
Rape and the Perils of Unpleaded Qualifying Circumstances: Protecting Due Process in Criminal Accusations
In People v. Laciste, the Supreme Court reduced a death sentence to reclusion perpetua because the victim's minority was not alleged in the information.
Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Lack of Physical Evidence: Credible Testimony Suffices
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on rape conviction based on credible testimony, not physical evidence, and the importance of proper allegation of qualifying circumstances.
Parental Authority and Rape: Why Minority Must Be Alleged in Qualified Rape Cases
A Supreme Court ruling explains why a father's conviction for raping his daughter was reduced from death to reclusion perpetua when her minority was not alleged.
Credibility in Rape Cases: Supreme Court on Uncorroborated Testimony and Victim Behavior
SC explains why a rape victim's testimony can stand alone, and why the death penalty needed the relationship alleged in the information.
Parental Authority VS Statutory Rape Allegation OF Minority Must BE Explicit FOR Qualified Rape Conviction
SC rules minority must be alleged in information for qualified rape; Laciste convicted of simple rape, not death penalty.
Rape Shield Protecting Child Victims AND Upholding Justice
The Supreme Court affirms rape convictions based on the credible testimony of a victim, explaining key evidentiary rules in Philippine rape cases.
Intrafamilial Rape: Proving Guilt and the Nuances of Consent and Evidence
A father's rape conviction upheld on appeal, clarifying evidence rules, consent issues, and penalty requirements in incestuous rape cases.
Credibility of Rape Victim's Testimony: Supreme Court on Conflicting Evidence and Behavioral Expectations
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, explaining why a victim's testimony prevails over alibi and why resistance is not always required.
Intimidation in Rape Cases: Protecting Minor Victims Under Philippine Law
How Philippine courts assess intimidation, delay in reporting, and child testimony in rape cases involving minors.
Why Qualifying Circumstances Must Be Alleged in Rape Informations
The Supreme Court explains why failure to allege minority and use of a deadly weapon in a rape information downgrades the crime to simple rape.