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 Conviction Affirmed: Credibility of Victim's Testimony Paramount in Rape Cases
In People v. Pagurayan, the Supreme Court affirmed a rape conviction, ruling that a lone credible victim testimony can sustain a guilty verdict.
Confessions and Constitutional Rights: How Philippine Courts Balance Justice and Due Process in Criminal Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when extrajudicial confessions are admissible and how circumstantial evidence can sustain a conviction in rape with homicide.
Rape Conviction Affirmed THE Critical Role OF Victim Testimony IN Statutory Rape Cases
Finality of Judgment vs Double Jeopardy: When Can a Court Change Its Decision
A conviction becomes final once probation is applied for. A court cannot later amend the sentence without violating double jeopardy.
Justice Prevails Circumstantial Evidence AND THE Pursuit OF Truth IN Criminal Law
A grandfather's rape conviction affirmed by the Supreme Court, showing how Philippine courts weigh a child victim's testimony against denial.
Alibi VS Positive Identification Conviction Stands IN Robbery With Homicide Despite Unpleaded Aggravating Circumstances
Positive Identification Trumps Alibi Upholding Conviction Despite Witness Delay
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on witness credibility, delay in identification, and why positive identification outweighs alibi in criminal convictions.
Illegal Recruitment Acquittal: Why Promises by Relatives Do Not Convict a Recruiter
The Supreme Court clarifies when a person may be acquitted of illegal recruitment and estafa, and the proof required for conviction.
Double Jeopardy: Why the Prosecution Cannot Appeal to Increase a Criminal Penalty
The Supreme Court explains why the prosecution cannot appeal a conviction to seek a higher penalty, citing the constitutional right against double jeopardy.
Rape Conviction Affirmed Intimidation AS Sufficient Force IN Sexual Assault Cases
Statutory Rape in the Philippines: Protecting Children and Upholding Justice
The Supreme Court affirms six convictions for statutory rape, clarifying how Philippine law protects minors and assesses child testimony.
Dying Declarations and Alibi in Philippine Homicide Cases: The Anacan Ruling
How the Supreme Court clarified eyewitness identification, alibi, and treachery in homicide cases, reducing a murder conviction to homicide.
Eyewitness Testimony and Abuse of Superior Strength in Murder Conviction
Supreme Court affirms murder conviction based on child eyewitness testimony, finding abuse of superior strength where three men attacked a defenseless woman.
Circumstantial Evidence in Rape-Homicide Cases: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
How the Supreme Court upheld a rape-homicide conviction based on circumstantial evidence, not direct testimony, in People v. Felixminia.
Upholding Estafa Conviction: The Supreme Court Reinforces Finality of Factual Findings in Appeals
A look at how the Supreme Court affirmed an estafa conviction and reiterated that factual findings of lower courts are binding.
Rape Conviction Upheld but Death Penalty Cut Over Defective Information
The Supreme Court affirmed a stepfather's rape conviction but reduced the death penalty to reclusion perpetua because the information wrongly alleged a step relationship.
Parental Authority vs. Child's Rights: Redefining Consent in Statutory Rape Cases
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that a stepfather's common-law status affects rape penalties, not the victim's consent or conviction.
Treachery in Murder: Sudden Unexpected Attack Ensures Conviction
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains how treachery qualifies killing as murder, with practical guidance on proving sudden attacks.
Diminished Conviction Reassessing Guilt IN Rape Homicide Cases Based ON Circumstantial Evidence
The Supreme Court clarifies that circumstantial evidence can prove murder but not rape, reducing death penalty to reclusion perpetua.
Rape Conviction Hinges on Specific Allegations Protecting the Rights of the Accused
The Supreme Court vacated a death sentence for incestuous rape because the trial court failed to conduct a searching inquiry into the accused's guilty plea.
Credibility of Rape Victim's Testimony Alone Can Uphold Conviction
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on rape conviction based on victim's credible testimony, and why death penalty requires minority alleged in information.
Prior Payment of Check Value as Defense in Bouncing Checks Cases
When does paying the check amount before prosecution bar a B.P. 22 conviction? The Supreme Court explains in Griffith v. Court of Appeals.
Custodial Trust AND Betrayal Examining THE Deliberate Failure TO Return A Minor
A babysitter's brief custody of a newborn becomes a kidnapping conviction under Article 270, explaining deliberate failure to return.
Rape Conviction Upheld BUT Death Penalty Reduced THE Importance OF Proving Qualifying Circumstances
The Supreme Court reduced a death sentence to reclusion temporal after finding the prosecution failed to prove robbery and nighttime as aggravating circumstances.