The Power of Legal Classifications

In Philippine law, Articles 6 and 9 of the Revised Penal Code define felonies and their gravity:

consummated, frustrated, or attempted, and grave, less grave,

or light. Most people miss how powerful this knowledge is. In People v.

Hernandez, lawyers argued that acts like murder and arson were part of a single rebellion.

The Supreme Court agreed — multiple charges became one, drastically reducing penalties.

That’s Article 6 in action: knowing whether a felony is consummated or attempted can change

life or death outcomes. Article 9 matters too. Classifying a crime as grave,

less grave, or light determines the punishment range. Lawyers exploit these distinctions,