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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Conviction Upheld on Circumstantial Evidence in Carnapping-Murder Case
The Supreme Court explains when circumstantial evidence suffices for conviction and why unproven aggravating circumstances mean reclusion perpetua, not death.
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.
Dying Declarations and Witness Credibility: Reevaluating Guilt in Homicide Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies rape conviction standards, intact hymen evidence, and proper death penalty application in People v. Dayna.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Penetration, Not Hymen Damage, Is the Key
An intact hymen does not negate rape. The Supreme Court clarifies that slight penetration suffices for conviction.
Intact Hymen Does Not Negate Rape: SC Upholds Conviction But Reduces Death Penalty
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction despite intact hymen, but reduces death penalty to reclusion perpetua for lack of qualifying circumstances.
Moral Turpitude and Bouncing Checks: Disqualifying Election Candidates in the Philippines
The Supreme Court rules that conviction for violation of B.P. Blg. 22 (Bouncing Checks Law) involves moral turpitude, disqualifying candidates from public office.
Positive Identification Trumps Alibi Upholding Conviction IN Multiple Murder Case
Treachery in Criminal Law: The Element of Surprise in Murder Convictions
Understand how treachery qualifies a killing as murder under Philippine law, focusing on the element of surprise and sudden attack.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: The Role of Identification and Consent in Sexual Assault Cases
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, clarifying voice and sight identification, consent, and damages in sexual assault cases.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Supreme Court Upholds Statutory Rape Conviction Despite Reporting Delay
The Supreme Court affirms a statutory rape conviction, ruling that a victim's delay in reporting the crime does not automatically undermine her credibility.
Circumstantial Evidence and Murder Conviction: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
Explaining how circumstantial evidence can establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt in murder cases, citing People v. Diaz.
Upholding Victims Rights Positive Identification AND Aggravating Circumstances IN Rape Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction based on voice identification, but reduces the death penalty to reclusion perpetua because aggravating circumstances were not alleged in the information.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Voice Identification and the Requirement of Pleading Qualifying Circumstances
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction based on voice identification but reduces the death penalty to reclusion perpetua because the information failed to allege qualifying circumstances.
Protecting Vulnerable Witnesses Upholding THE Testimony OF Deaf Mute Rape Victims IN Philippine Courts
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction based on the sign-language testimony of a deaf-mute victim, clarifying rules on witness competence and alibi.
Credibility Counts: Rape Conviction Based on Victims' Testimony
In People v. Pamilar, the Supreme Court upheld a father's rape conviction, ruling that a victim's credible testimony can sustain a guilty verdict even without other witnesses.
Beyond Reasonable Doubt: Navigating the Perils of Drug Sale Convictions in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts assess drug sale cases, the burden of proof, and why credible evidence matters in convictions.
Publicity vs Fair Trial: Reassessing Damages in Heinous Crime Convictions
The Supreme Court clarifies that pervasive media coverage does not automatically deny an accused a fair trial, and adjusts excessive damage awards.
Guilt Beyond Doubt: Circumstantial Evidence and Illegal Firearms in Murder Conviction
How the Supreme Court upheld a murder conviction based on circumstantial evidence and illegal firearms possession under PD 1866.
Rape Intimidation and Threat Sufficient for Conviction Despite Lack of Physical Resistance
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on threats and intimidation, ruling that absence of physical resistance does not negate the crime.
Self-Defense Claims and Treachery: Lessons from People vs. Mazo
A look at how the Supreme Court weighed self-defense, witness credibility, and treachery in a homicide conviction.
Parricide vs. Accident: When a Fatal Shooting Is Not an Exempting Circumstance
The Supreme Court explains why the defense of accident fails when intent to kill is shown by overt acts, affirming a parricide conviction.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails When Witness Testimony Overturns Drug Conviction
Supreme Court acquits drug convict after police witness contradicts buy-bust story, reinforcing the proof beyond reasonable doubt standard.
Reasonable Doubt and Circumstantial Evidence: When Suspicion Cannot Sustain a Conviction
The Supreme Court acquits five police officers of double murder, explaining when circumstantial evidence fails the test of moral certainty.
Rape Conviction Affirmed Credibility of Witnesses and Impact of Minor Inconsistencies
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, holding that minor inconsistencies in witness testimony do not undermine credibility.