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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Parental Authority vs. Filial Trust: Intrafamilial Rape and the Death Penalty
The Supreme Court affirms the death penalty for a father who raped his minor daughter, clarifying the rules on intrafamilial rape.
Credibility of Witness Testimony in Rape Cases: People v. Calimlim
The Supreme Court affirms four rape convictions, explaining how trial courts weigh victim credibility, alibi, and the limits of the death penalty.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Victim Testimony and Medical Evidence Suffice for Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
Explore how the Supreme Court affirmed a rape conviction, relying on credible victim testimony and medical findings over alibi defenses.
Moral Ascendancy and the Absence of Violent Resistance in Rape Cases: Protecting Vulnerable Victims
Why a rape victim's lack of violent struggle does not mean consent, and how moral ascendancy and threats establish intimidation.
Moral Ascendancy as Substitute for Force in Incestuous and Family Rape Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how moral ascendancy and intimidation can substitute for physical force in rape convictions.
Parental Authority vs Child Abuse: Trust and Protection Boundaries
Supreme Court affirms death penalty for father who raped his 9-year-old daughter, clarifying parental authority does not excuse incestuous rape.
When Medical Evidence Is Absent: Conviction for Rape Based on Victim's Testimony
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction despite normal medical findings, explaining why a child victim's testimony can be enough.
Rape Under the Flyover: Corroborating Testimony in Child Sexual Abuse Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction of a street child, explaining why medical findings are not required and how the victim's testimony stands.
Circumstantial Evidence and Conviction: When Proof Falls Short of Rape With Homicide
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when circumstantial evidence suffices for homicide but not rape with homicide conviction.
Rape Conviction Upheld on Credible Testimony and Use of a Deadly Weapon
The Supreme Court affirmed a rape conviction based on the victim's credible testimony, ruling that medical findings are merely corroborative and that an ice-pick is a deadly weapon.
Rape and Mental Incapacity: Ensuring Justice for Vulnerable Victims in the Philippines
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction of a mentally disabled victim, clarifying rules on witness credibility and proper charges.
When Rape Charges Are Not Qualified: The Importance of Specific Allegations in the Information
A Supreme Court ruling shows why qualifying circumstances in rape must be specifically alleged in the information to warrant the death penalty.
Rape Conviction Modified: When Qualifying Circumstances Must Be Alleged
The Supreme Court modifies a rape conviction, acquitting the accused on three counts for insufficient evidence and ruling on the necessity of alleging qualifying circumstances.
Mental Capacity and Rape in Philippine Law: The Hamto Case
How Philippine courts treat mentally retarded rape victims' testimony, and why mental age matters in proving rape.
THE Perils OF Identification Safeguarding Rights IN Robbery With Rape Cases
Incestuous Rape Conviction Affirmed But Death Penalty Reduced for Lack of Age Proof
SC affirms incestuous rape conviction but reduces death penalty to reclusion perpetua where victim's minority was alleged but not proven.
Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Delayed Reporting: Fear and Intimidation in Sexual Assault Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a robbery-with-rape conviction, ruling that a victim's delayed reporting and submission due to fear do not negate the crime.
Incestuous Rape: Upholding the Sanctity of Filial Trust and the Severity of Betrayal
The Supreme Court affirms the conviction of a father for four counts of rape against his daughter, underscoring the gravity of incestuous abuse.
Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Delayed Reporting and Absence of Semen
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction of father despite delayed reporting and no semen found, explaining why these do not weaken a credible victim's testimony.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Rape Conviction Upheld for Child Victim
Supreme Court affirms death penalty for rape of a five-year-old, ruling the child's testimony and medical evidence proved consummated rape.
Parental Incest Establishing Minority of the Victim Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Rape Cases
How Philippine courts prove a rape victim's minority for the death penalty, using parental incest as the key example.
Flawed Identification and Suggestive Police Line-Up Lead to Acquittal in Robbery-Rape Case
Philippine Supreme Court acquits robbery-rape accused where police suggestion tainted identification and alibi stood unrebutted.
Rape Conviction Requires Precise Allegations Protecting Due Process in Criminal Charges
The Supreme Court ruled that convicting an accused of qualified rape when the information only alleged simple rape violates due process.
Date Discrepancies and Fair Notice in Rape Cases: Protecting the Accused's Rights
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how vague dates in rape informations violate the accused's constitutional right to fair notice and defense.