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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Double Jeopardy in Tax Evasion Cases: When Can the Government Retry You?
Learn when double jeopardy protects taxpayers from repeated prosecution in tax evasion cases under Philippine law.
Proving Evident Premeditation in Murder Cases: What Philippine Law Requires
The Supreme Court explains when evident premeditation qualifies murder and why courts demand clear proof of deliberate planning before imposing the penalty.
Acquittal Due to Insufficient Evidence: Understanding Conspiracy in Philippine Fraud Cases
Learn how Philippine courts determine conspiracy in criminal cases, using the Marcelino murder case as a guide to evidentiary standards.
Lost Citizenship by Delay: Why Electing Philippine Citizenship Promptly Is Crucial
A bar applicant lost his Philippine citizenship claim by waiting 14 years to elect it. Learn the strict timing rules.
Proving Murder Without a Body: Conspiracy and Circumstantial Evidence in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms murder convictions despite no body found, explaining how conspiracy and circumstantial evidence can prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Building on Shaky Ground: Philippine Supreme Court Clarifies Ownership of Structures on Sold Land
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on ownership of structures built on sold land, explaining accession rights and good faith under the Civil Code.
Beyond Eyewitnesses: How Philippine Courts Use Circumstantial Evidence to Secure Convictions
Philippine courts can convict based on circumstantial evidence when it forms an unbroken chain. Learn how in People v. De los Santos.
Voyage Charterer Liability in Maritime Collisions: Philippine Law Explained
When is a voyage charterer liable for a vessel collision? The Caltex v. Sulpicio Lines ruling clarifies charterer duties under Philippine maritime law.
Breach of Trust in Employment: When Philippine Companies Can Validly Dismiss Employees
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on loss of trust and confidence as valid ground for dismissing security officers who breach company policy.
Credibility of Victim Testimony in Rape Cases: Key Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a rape victim's testimony stands, why minor inconsistencies don't destroy credibility, and resistance rules.
Understanding Statutory Rape in the Philippines: Protecting Children Under Twelve
Philippine law treats sexual acts with children under 12 as statutory rape, regardless of consent. Learn the rules from a Supreme Court case.
Gross Negligence of Public Officials: Understanding Liability in Philippine Law
When are public officials liable for gross negligence? This article explains the legal standard and how Philippine courts apply it.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Consent, Intimidation, and Victim Testimony in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction based on credible victim testimony, intimidation by knife, and the victim's mental condition.
Conspiracy in Robbery With Homicide: When Presence Means Principal Liability in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how conspiracy in robbery with homicide makes all participants liable as principals, even without direct participation in the killing.
Navigating Philippine Election Disputes Understanding Comelec AND Hret Jurisdiction
A clear guide to the division of authority between the Commission on Elections and the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal in election contests.
Compromise Agreements in Philippine Property Disputes: Ending Litigation With Finality
How a judicially approved compromise agreement in a property dispute becomes final and executory, barring further litigation between co-owners.
Unreasonable Trial Delays: A Judge's Duty to Control Court Proceedings
When a judge tolerates repeated postponements, the Supreme Court steps in. Learn the rules on trial delays and judicial accountability.
Fishpond Ownership in the Philippines: When BFAR Jurisdiction Overrides Court Decisions
Philippine courts cannot declare private ownership over public land designated for fishponds—only BFAR holds that authority. Learn the rules.
Breach of Trust: Understanding Lawyer Disbarment for Misappropriating Client Funds in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts discipline lawyers who misappropriate client funds, the ethical rules involved, and practical lessons for attorneys.
When Silence Kills Understanding Treachery AND Murder IN Philippine LAW
High-Powered vs Low-Powered Firearms: Navigating Illegal Possession Laws in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how courts classify firearms as high-powered or low-powered for illegal possession penalties under R.A. 8294.
Certiorari vs Appeal: When to Challenge Court Orders in the Philippines
Learn the difference between certiorari and appeal in Philippine procedure, and when each remedy applies to challenge court orders.
Eyewitness Testimony and Guilty Pleas in Philippine Rape-Homicide Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a death sentence for rape-homicide, explaining how credible eyewitness testimony and a valid guilty plea support conviction.
Self-Defense in the Philippines: When Killing Is Justified and When It Is Not
Philippine law allows killing in self-defense, but the accused must prove unlawful aggression, reasonable means, and no provocation. Learn the rules.