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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Frequent Unauthorized Absences: Court Clerk Suspended for Six Months
A court clerk's repeated absences without leave led to a six-month suspension, clarifying the strict rules on leave and attendance for government employees.
Government Funds and Legal Claims: Understanding COA's Jurisdiction Over UP
Supreme Court clarifies that money claims against UP must first be filed with the Commission on Audit before execution can proceed.
Treachery in Criminal Law: How Intent and Sudden Attack Shape Murder Convictions
The Supreme Court explains how treachery qualifies killing as murder, requiring deliberate, sudden attack leaving victim no defense.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Positive Identification Prevails Over Alibi in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, ruling that the victim's positive identification outweighs the accused's weak defense of alibi.
Unlawful Possession and the Vital Role of Evidence in Drug Offenses
How the Supreme Court weighed search warrant evidence, witness credibility, and denial defenses in a drug possession conviction.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: The Credibility of a Child Witness in Sexual Assault Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a rape-with-homicide conviction based on circumstantial evidence, explaining how such evidence can prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Upholding Public Trust Accountability FOR Clerks OF Court IN Handling Judiciary Funds
A Supreme Court ruling on a clerk of court's suspension for mishandling judiciary funds, emphasizing public accountability and strict compliance with deposit rules.
Treachery in Criminal Law: How Sudden Attacks Determine Murder Convictions in the Philippines
Explore how treachery qualifies a killing as murder under Philippine law, as explained in People v. Asilan.
Attempted Sale of Shabu: When Showing Drugs to a Buyer Is a Crime
A buy-bust operation gone wrong still leads to conviction for attempted sale of drugs under RA 9165. This case explains why.
Guilt by Circumstance: Conviction in Rape-Homicide Through Indirect Evidence
The Supreme Court explains when circumstantial evidence suffices to convict for rape with homicide, and how the composite crime is defined.
Dying Declarations in Philippine Law: When Can a Victim’s Last Words Convict
Philippine law admits dying declarations as evidence. Learn the legal requirements and limits of this exception to hearsay.
Silence OF THE Abused Admissibility OF Spontaneous Utterances IN Rape Cases Involving Incapacitated Victims
Supreme Court on Quasi-Delict Negligence in Vehicular Accidents: Subrogation and Vicarious Liability
The Supreme Court affirms insurer's subrogation claim, ruling on negligence, proximate cause, and vicarious liability in a vehicular accident case.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Consensual Sex Defense Needs Corroboration, Victim's Injuries Speak Volumes
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, ruling that the defense of consensual sex requires corroboration and that a victim's injuries corroborate the charge.
Psychological Abuse via Facebook Conviction Upheld with Higher Cybercrime Penalty
Supreme Court affirms conviction for psychological abuse via Facebook posts, imposing higher penalty under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
When a General Manager Is Not a Corporate Officer: Jurisdiction Over Illegal Dismissal Claims
The Supreme Court clarifies when a corporate officer is really an employee, and who has jurisdiction over dismissal disputes.
Judicial Ethics: Sheriff Dismissed for Accepting Payoffs in Landmark Philippine Ruling
Supreme Court dismisses deputy sheriff for accepting kickbacks from a newspaper publisher in exchange for judicial notice assignments, reaffirming strict ethics for court personnel.
Nogales v. People: When Obscene Files in Computers Are Forfeited Even Without Conviction
Supreme Court rules hard disks containing obscene materials are forfeited and destroyed under P.D. 969 even if criminal case is dismissed.
Unseen Crimes Unshakable Justice How Philippine Courts Use Circumstantial Evidence in Murder Cases
Philippine courts can convict of murder based on circumstantial evidence alone. Learn the rules and how the Supreme Court applies them.
Treachery and Dwelling: Aggravating Circumstances in Philippine Murder Cases
How the Supreme Court applied treachery and dwelling as qualifying and aggravating circumstances in a murder conviction, with practical lessons.
Quasi-Delict Liability and Negligence in Vehicular Accidents: Insights from G.R. No. 279772
Supreme Court affirms quasi-delict liability for negligent driving, clarifying rules on overtaking, right of way, and vicarious liability of employers.
Quasi-Delict Liability in Vehicular Accidents: When Negligence and Vicarious Liability Apply
Supreme Court affirms joint liability of driver and owner in a vehicular accident, clarifying negligence, proximate cause, and vicarious liability under the Civil Code.
Kidnapping with Rape: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms a conviction for kidnapping with rape, explaining how credible testimony and the sweetheart defense are weighed.
Resignation and Administrative Cases in the Philippines: What Andutan Teaches Us
Can a resigned public official still face administrative cases? The Supreme Court's Andutan ruling clarifies the limits of Ombudsman jurisdiction.