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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Attempted Rape Conviction Affirmed: Court Explains Elements and Penalties
The Supreme Court affirms an attempted rape conviction, clarifying the elements, evidentiary standards, and penalties under Philippine law.
Judges Must Know the Law: Gross Ignorance and Its Consequences
When a judge issues warrants and conducts proceedings without knowing basic rules, the Supreme Court steps in. Learn from Oporto v. Monserate.
Protecting Overseas Workers: Solidary Liability and Illegal Dismissal in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies the solidary liability of local recruitment agencies and the burden of proof in illegal dismissal cases involving overseas Filipino workers.
Self-Defense, Unlawful Aggression, and Conspiracy: Lessons from People v. Tumayao
The Supreme Court clarifies self-defense, conspiracy, and treachery in a murder case, and explains the effect of an accused's death on appeal.
Parental Authority and Child Abuse: Upholding Protection of Children Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms that a father's moral ascendancy cannot excuse acts of lasciviousness against his child under R.A. 7610.
Proof Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Attempted Rape: Credibility of Witnesses Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on attempted rape, witness credibility, and proof beyond reasonable doubt in criminal cases.
Credibility in Rape and Murder Cases: The Weight of a Witness's Testimony
In People v. Carpo, the Supreme Court upheld a conviction based on one eyewitness, showing how Philippine courts weigh testimony, alibi, and flight.
The Limits of Injunctive Relief When Enrollment Rights Meet School Policies
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when courts may issue injunctions in school enrollment disputes, requiring clear legal rights and urgent necessity.
When Counsel's Negligence Binds the Client: Due Process Limits in Appeals
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a lawyer's failure to file an appellant's brief justifies dismissal of an appeal and binds the client.
Overseas Placement Agencies: Fair Treatment of Workers and the Rule on Illegal Exactions
A look at the Supreme Court ruling on overseas placement agencies, illegal exactions, contract substitution, and the need for published rules.
Trademark Infringement: How the Dominancy Test Protects Brand Recognition
The Supreme Court explains why the dominancy test, not the holistic test, governs confusing similarity in trademark infringement cases.
Due Process and Notice: When Failure to Notify Voids Court Proceedings in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how defective pretrial notice violates due process and voids default judgments.
Payment Deadlines: Insurers Can't Deny Coverage After Granting Credit
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when insurers cannot deny coverage if they granted credit terms for premium payments.
Presidential Immunity vs Accountability: Limits of Power After Leaving Office
The Supreme Court clarifies that presidential immunity shields sitting presidents from suit, but accountability resumes once they leave office.
Academic Freedom vs Civil Service Rules: UP Wins Faculty Retention Case
Supreme Court rules UP's academic freedom lets it retain a professor despite AWOL, overriding CSC's automatic separation directive.
Treachery and Intent: Differentiating Murder and Homicide in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when treachery qualifies a killing as murder and when it remains homicide, in People v. Lucena.
Habeas Corpus Cannot Free Undocumented Alien with Tampered Passport
Supreme Court rules habeas corpus cannot be issued when BID has validly ordered deportation of an alien found using a tampered, cancelled passport.
Deportation and Habeas Corpus: The Limits of Judicial Intervention in Immigration Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may issue the writ of habeas corpus in deportation cases involving undocumented aliens.
Conditional Donations: Upholding Intent Despite Technicalities in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court ruled that substantial compliance with donation formalities and the donor's intent prevail over technical defects in accepting conditional donations.
When Identification Fails: The Teves Parricide Acquittal and the Limits of Circumstantial Evidence
The Supreme Court acquits a parricide convict, showing how suggestive identification and weak circumstantial evidence cannot support a conviction beyond reasonable doubt.
Habeas Corpus and Deportation: What Tung Chin Hui v. Rodriguez Means for Aliens in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when habeas corpus is available to aliens facing deportation orders from the Bureau of Immigration.
Amending Informations After Arraignment: Rights of the Accused vs. Prosecutorial Efficiency
When can the prosecution amend an Information after arraignment? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on substantial vs. formal amendments.
Rape and Consent: The Threshold of Penetration in Philippine Law
A soft penis can still consummate rape. The Supreme Court explains why the slightest penetration of the labia is enough, and why consent defenses often fail.
The Weight of a Witness Conviction Based on Uncorroborated Testimony in Philippine Rape Law
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a single, credible victim testimony suffices to convict in rape cases, and why corroboration is not always required.