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 and Mental Capacity: Understanding the Burden of Proof in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court acquittal clarifies when mental retardation must be proven to convict in rape cases, and why the prosecution's burden matters.
Why Precise Rape Charges Matter: The Right to Be Informed of the Accusation
The Supreme Court nullified rape convictions where complaints said only "sexual abuse," upholding the accused's constitutional right to know the charge.
Waiver of Publication in Foreclosure Sales: Protecting Public Interest Over Private Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court rules parties cannot waive publication requirements in extrajudicial foreclosure sales under Act No. 3135.
The Right to Confrontation: Why Live Testimony Matters in Philippine Criminal Trials
The Supreme Court vacated a rape conviction because prosecutors used transcripts from another trial instead of presenting live witnesses, violating the accused's right to confrontation.
Consent Is Key: Understanding the Burden of Proof in Rape Cases
The Supreme Court explains why proving lack of consent in rape cases requires credible evidence, not just allegations.
Rape and the Burden of Proof: Consent and Minority in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court acquits a rape accused, clarifying that mental retardation must be proven beyond reasonable doubt, not presumed.
Rape of a Person with Mental Retardation: Lack of Consent and Legal Implications
Philippine Supreme Court rules sexual intercourse with a mental retardate is rape even without force, as she cannot validly consent.
Jurisdictional Estoppel: When a Party Can No Longer Question a Court’s Authority
Explaining the doctrine of estoppel by laches and when a party is barred from questioning a court's jurisdiction after actively participating in the case.
Consent Under Scrutiny Safeguarding Rights IN Rape Cases Involving Alleged Mental Incapacity
Judicial Accountability: Fines for Ignorance of Summary Procedure Rules
Court employees fined P4,000 each for gross ignorance of appeal fee rules under the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure.
Reclamation Rights Private Property VS Public Domain IN THE Philippines
The Supreme Court ruling on SRA's liability as trustee clarifies how government agencies assume obligations of abolished entities.
Upholding Property Rights The Prescriptive Period For Reconveyance Actions
When does an action for reconveyance prescribe? The Supreme Court clarifies the 10-year rule and its exceptions in this important ruling.
Conditional Sales of Co-Owned Property: Understanding Consent and Obligations
Explore the Supreme Court's ruling on reconveyance actions, prescription periods, and the rights of buyers in conditional sales of co-owned property.
Judicial Efficiency THE Imperative OF Timely Case Resolution IN Philippine Courts 3
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: When Facebook Posts Are Crimes
The Supreme Court affirms that demeaning Facebook posts can constitute psychological abuse under RA 9262, with higher penalties for ICT use.
Weighing Evidence in Psychological Incapacity Cases Under Article 36
A Rule 45 petition questioning psychological incapacity findings raises questions of fact, not law, the Supreme Court rules.
False Credentials Lost Promotion Integrity IN Public Service
Supreme Court dismisses court employee for falsifying educational credentials in Personal Data Sheet, affirming public office as a public trust.
Rape Conviction Intoxication AND Credibility OF Victims Testimony
Prescription of Penalties: Why Actual Imprisonment Matters in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when prescription of penalties begins—only after a convict actually escapes from imprisonment.
Self-Defense and Treachery: Understanding Murder in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains when self-defense fails and treachery qualifies a killing as murder under Philippine law.
Prescription of Penalties: Evasion of Sentence Requires Prior Imprisonment
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: prescription of penalty starts only when a convicted person escapes from actual imprisonment, not from hiding.
Treachery Defined: How Philippine Courts Determine Unfair Advantage in Murder Cases
Learn how Philippine courts define treachery in murder cases through the Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Hammer.
Entrapment vs Instigation: Safeguarding Rights in Drug Sale Cases
Learn the difference between valid entrapment and unlawful instigation in Philippine drug cases, and how courts protect accused persons' rights.
Eyewitness Identification vs. Alibi: The Weight of Positive Testimony in Murder Cases
How Philippine courts weigh eyewitness identification against alibi defenses, explained through a 2002 Supreme Court ruling on murder.