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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Chain of Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence in Philippine Courts
Philippine courts require strict chain of custody for drug evidence. Learn the rules and practical implications from recent jurisprudence.
When Circumstantial Evidence Fails: The Ador Case and the Presumption of Innocence
The Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Ador shows how weak circumstantial evidence, flawed identification, and uncounseled admissions cannot overcome the presumption of innocence.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails When Circumstantial Evidence Falls Short of Conviction
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when circumstantial evidence suffices for conviction in estafa cases, examining the limits of proof beyond reasonable doubt.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails A Rape Conviction Overturned DUE TO Insufficient Prosecution Evidence
Due Process and the Duty to Object Timely in Presenting Evidence
Learn when a court may admit evidence without your comment, and why silence can waive the right to object.
Due Process and the Right to Present Evidence: Lessons from People v. Oga
The Supreme Court acquits a rape accused, showing how the prosecution must prove force and intimidation beyond reasonable doubt.
Bail AND Burden Assessing Prosecution Evidence IN Capital Offenses IN THE Philippines
Accountability IN Robbery With Homicide THE Crucial Role OF Witness Testimony AND Circumstantial Evidence
Reasonable Doubt Acquittal Based on Circumstantial Evidence in Robbery Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when circumstantial evidence suffices for conviction and when reasonable doubt requires acquittal in robbery cases.
Right to Defense: Conviction Reversed for Denial of Opportunity to Present Evidence
Supreme Court reverses murder conviction when trial court denied the accused his right to present defense evidence after a demurrer.
DNA Evidence and Conviction: The Yatar Case and the Standard for Admissibility
Explaining how the Supreme Court in People v. Yatar set the standard for admitting DNA evidence in Philippine criminal cases.
Proof Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Familial Rape Cases: Scrutinizing Testimonial Evidence
In People v. Layugan, the Supreme Court convicted a father of five counts of rape but struck down the death penalty because the victim's age was not proven.
Circumstantial Evidence and Homicide: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
A look at how the Supreme Court distinguishes murder from homicide when treachery is not proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Disproving Co-Ownership Claims: The Importance of Title and Evidence in Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on land registration: why bare claims of possession without solid evidence fail.
Correcting Vote Tabulation Errors: The Supreme Court on Voter Intent and Ballot Appreciation
The Supreme Court ruled that COMELEC must correct manifest tabulation errors and uphold voter intent in ballot appreciation, reversing a ruling that ignored certified evidence.
When a Flawed Complaint Can Still Lead to Estafa: The Filadams Pharma Case
A Supreme Court ruling shows when a prosecutor's dismissal of an estafa complaint is grave abuse of discretion, and what evidence matters.
Confession Without Counsel Inadmissibility AND Protection OF Constitutional Rights IN Theft Cases
Supreme Court acquits four in qualified theft case after ruling that confessions taken without effective counsel and evidence from an unlawful arrest are inadmissible.
Support Obligations in Nullified Marriages: Protecting Child Welfare After Annulment
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that child support survives a nullified marriage and can be modified as needs and resources change, but only with proper evidence.
Dying Declarations AS Evidence Establishing Guilt IN Murder Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when dying declarations can establish guilt in murder cases, and the strict standards for insanity defenses in Philippine criminal law.
Witness Credibility and Circumstantial Evidence in Murder Convictions: People v. Trinidad
The Supreme Court affirms a murder conviction based on a single credible eyewitness, explaining how trial courts assess witness credibility and circumstantial evidence.
Reasonable Doubt and Physical Evidence: When Witness Testimony Prevails in Murder Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how credible witness testimony outweighs an accused's claim of accident, and when treachery fails as a qualifying circumstance.
Ballots as Primary Evidence in Election Protests: Limits on Testimonial Evidence
The Supreme Court affirms COMELEC's discretion to limit witnesses in election protests, holding that ballots are the best evidence of election results.
Due Process in Death Penalty Cases: Waiver of Right to Present Evidence
When can a court deem an accused to have waived the right to present evidence? The Supreme Court explains the due process limits.
Circumstantial Evidence Alone Can Convict: Homicide, Not Murder, in People v. Matito
The Supreme Court explains when circumstantial evidence suffices for conviction, and why the killing was homicide, not murder.