March 2023

74decisions
  1. 01G.R. 244681Vicente C. Go v. Court of Appeals, Sheriff Andrew B. Alviar, the Register of Deeds of Quezon City and Spouses Rafael M. Colet and Rosario a.z. ColetSummons by publication is valid when the sheriff tried several times to serve it at the address the defendant himself gave, and an earlier unregistered buyer of land beats a later registered levy if the debtor had already sold the property.
  2. 02G.R. 254194Rosita v. Zamora Vs. Ramon Bagatsing, Jr., Rosarity L. Bagatsing, Reynaldo L. Bagatsing, and Marilyn Bagatsing-­topacioA land title that comes from a forged deed is worthless, so the true owner can still challenge it even after many years.
  3. 03G.R. 247646The Commoner Lending Corporation v. Rafael BalandraA mortgage signed by one spouse alone on conjugal property is void under the Family Code, but it becomes binding if the other spouse accepts it, for example by promising to pay the loan and making partial payments.
  4. 04G.R. 220903Citibank Savings, Inc., Kevin Lynch, Floryppee v. Abrigo,* and Elliebeth Endaya Vs. Brenda L. RoganA bank officer who repeatedly lets irregular transactions pass can be validly dismissed for breach of trust and confidence even if the bank lost nothing, but because her lapses were relatively minor she still gets separation pay as financial assistance.
  5. 05G.R. 191278Municipality of Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Mayor Bartolome Ramos and Members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Sta. Maria, Bulacan v. Carlos a. BuenaventuraWhen a local government builds a road on private land based on a forged deed of donation, and the road cannot be removed, it must pay the owner just compensation plus damages instead of tearing the road down.
  6. 06G.R. 255877Xxx v. People of the PhilippinesA husband who simply stops sending support to his wife is not criminally liable under the anti-violence law unless it is proven that he willfully withheld support in order to cause her mental or emotional anguish.
  7. 07G.R. 225204-05F/dir. Rogelio F. Asignado (Ret.), F/dir. Jose E. Collado (Ret.), and Cinsp. Ernesto S. Pagdanganan v. Office of the Ombudsman Represented by Conchita Carpio Morales and F/csupt. Carlito S. Romero (Ret.)The Supreme Court will not overturn the Ombudsman's dismissal of graft and coercion charges unless the Ombudsman acted with grave abuse of discretion, and here there was no proof of bad faith, undue injury or threats by the fire official who held back payroll remittances.
  8. 08G.R. 248710People of the Philippines v. Nicasio M. Peña and Camacho L. Chiong G.r. No. 250685 People of the Philippines Vs. Eugenio L. FamorGiving a government job to someone who lacks the required degree is an administrative matter, not graft, unless the prosecution proves bad faith and real undue harm to the government.
  9. 09G.R. 255085Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Vestas Services Philippines, IncThe Supreme Court upheld a partial VAT refund of PHP 4,390,198.45 to a wind-turbine services company, ruling that the Court of Tax Appeals properly admitted late evidence showing the company filed its court claim on time.
  10. 10G.R. 260639People of the Philippines v. XxxA man who offered four girls for paid sex was convicted of qualified trafficking in persons because he acted in large scale, even though the prosecution failed to prove the girls were minors.
  11. 11G.R. 222957Atty. Rogelio B. de Guzman v. Spouses Bartolome and Susan SantosWhen both sides to a contract to sell a house acted in bad faith, the Court left them where it found them, so the buyers could not get back their down payment.
  12. 12G.R. 235099Salvador M. Solis for Himself and on Behalf of the Estate of the Spouses Ramon M. Solis, Sr. and Marta M. Solis v. Marivic Solis-Laynes, and/or the Oic, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, Odiongan, Romblon and/or Provincial Assessor, Romblon, Romblon and/or Register of Deeds of RomblonIf a defendant abroad was not properly served with summons, her later filing in court can cure that defect, but she still has the right to be heard, so the case must be retried with her taking part.
  13. 13G.R. 171746-48May Catherine C. Ciriaco, Erlinda O. del Rosario, Ma. Luz C. Generoso, Aurora E.l. Ortega, and Antonette L. Fernandez v. Lilia S. Marquez, Edgar B. Solilapsi, and Horacio T. Templo Office of the Ombudsman Vs. Lilia S. Marquez, Edgar B. Solilapsi, and the Honorable Court of Appeals Marissu G. Bugante Vs. Horacio T. Templo, Leopoldo S. Veroy, Edgar B. Solilapsi, Amador M. Monteiro, Lilia S. Marquez, Carlos a. Arellano, Rafael G. Estrada, Miguel B. Varela, Marianita O. Mendoza, Juan C. Tan, Cecilio T. Seno, Bienvenido Laguesma, and Aurora ArnaezThree SSS officials who quickly approved a P7.5 Billion purchase of PCIB bank shares were cleared, because they acted as prudent investors would, and private complainants cannot appeal an exoneration in an administrative case.
  14. 14G.R. 250565Republic of the Philippines v. Bienvenido R. Tantoco, Jr., Dominador R. Santiago, Ferdinand E. Marcos, Substituted by His Heirs, Namely Imelda R. Marcos, Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., Imee Marcos, and Irene Marcos-Araneta,** Imelda R. Marcos, Bienvenido R. Tantoco, Sr., Gliceria R. Tantoco, Substituted by Dominador R. Santiago,*** and Maria Lourdes Tantoco-PinedaThe government's long-running ill-gotten wealth case against the Tantocos, Santiago and the Marcoses failed because most of its documents were excluded for being hidden during discovery or not proper originals, and what remained did not prove its claims.
  15. 15G.R. 236924Diversified Plastic Film System, Inc. v. Philippine Investment One (Spv-Amc), IncA company that appears in court only to object that it was not properly served with summons does not submit to the court's authority, and a lender who received a loan through an invalid transfer cannot be made trustee.
  16. 16G.R. 249684Spouses Eloisa Clarito Abayon and Rommil Regenio Abayon v. Bank of the Philippine IslandsA trial court cannot simply ignore a pending motion for reconsideration and move on, but defendants who take part in the case without objection are treated as having submitted to the court even if the summons was served badly.
  17. 17G.R. 251233Rosita U. Alberto v. Heirs of Juan a. Panti, Represented by Juancho B. PantiA person who says she bought land and has long possessed it cannot protect that claim by annotating an adverse claim on the owner's title, because the law gives other ways to record such claims and registered land cannot be acquired by long possession.
  18. 18G.R. 244214-15Republic of the Philippines, Represented by the Department of Public Works and Highways v. Sergio C. Pascual, Doing Business Under the Name and Style of Scp ConstructionA contractor on a government road project could take his payment claim to the Construction Industry Arbitration Commission, because a 14-day deadline buried in the bidding documents is too short to be valid.
  19. 19G.R. 255387People of the Philippines v. XyzA man living with the victim's aunt as a live-in partner is not her legal guardian, so his rape of a minor is simple rape, not qualified rape.
  20. 20G.R. 231546Land Bank of the Philippines v. Margarito E. Tayko, Jorge E. Tayko, Mauro E. Tayko, Jr., Jesus E. Tayko, Dr. Manuel E.tayko, Felipe E. Tayko, Jovencio E. Tayko, Jose E. Tayko, Teopisto T. Guingona, Jr., Manuel T. Guingona, Benjamin T. Guingona, Brigida Tankeh Guingona, Bartolome T. Guingona, Bernardino T. Guingona, Bianca Marie T. Guingona, Jose T. Guingona, Luis T. Guingona, and Josefa Tayko GuingonaWhen the government takes land under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, its price must be computed with the factors in R.A. No. 6657 and the DAR formula, using data from the time the land was taken.
  21. 21G.R. 236525Chevron Philippines, Inc. v. Alberto T. Looyuko (Doing Business Under the Name and Style "Noah'S Ark Group of Companies") and His Heirs, Noah'S Ark Sugar Refinery, Inc., Achilles "Kelly" L. Pacquing, Julieta "Juliet" T. Go, and the Heirs of Teresita C. LooyukoThe owner of a sole proprietorship who admits it is registered in his name cannot escape paying its fuel bills just by denying personal knowledge of the purchases, when its employees signed for 105 deliveries and he never properly contested the invoices.
  22. 22G.R. 212581Water for All Refund Movement, Inc. v. Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System, Maynilad Water Systems, Inc., and Manila Water Company, IncA Writ of Kalikasan, an extraordinary environmental remedy, cannot be granted on bare allegations: the petitioner must prove the violation and the large-scale environmental damage, and must first use available administrative remedies.
  23. 23G.R. 208310-11People of the Philippines v. Joel C. Mendez Joel C. Mendez Vs. People of the PhilippinesIn a criminal case for violating the tax law, the court can order payment of the unpaid taxes in the same case, even if the BIR never issued a formal assessment.
  24. 24A.M. RTJ-23-031(Formerly Oca Ipi No. 09-3288-Rtj) Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation v. Judge George E. OmelioA judge who ignores a higher court's injunction on a flimsy technical ground, arrests bank officials without proper contempt procedure, and hears a case despite a family interest in similar claims can be fined heavily, even after he has already been dismissed in another case.
  25. 25G.R. 257401Linconn Uy Ong v. the Senate of the Philippines, the Senate Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon Committee); Hon. Senator Richard J. Gordon, in His Capacity as the Chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee; Hon. Senator Vicente C. Sotto III, in His Capacity as Senate President of the Philippines; Mgen Rene C. Samonte Afp (Ret.), in His Capacity as Senate Sergeant-at-Arms G.r. No. 257916 Michael Yang Hong Ming Vs. Senate Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and InvestigationsThe Senate may punish a witness for lying or dodging questions in an inquiry, but it must first give the witness a chance to explain, and it did not do so here.
  26. 26G.R. 215650Augusto L. Syjuco, Jr. v. Joseph Emilio a. Abaya, in His Capacity as Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications; Honorito D. Chaneco, in His Capacity as Administrator of Light Rail Transit Authority; and Renato Z. San Jose, in His Capacity as Officer-in-Charge of the Metro Rail Transit 3 Office G.r. No. 215653 Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Represented by Its Secretary General, Renato Reyes, Jr.; Teodoro Casiño; Melquiades a. Robles; Elmer C. Labog; Sammy T. Malunes; Ferdinand R. Gaite; Vencer Crisostomo; Jossel I. Ebesate; Gloria G. Arellano; Herman Tiu Laurel; Myrleon E. Peralta; Amorsolo L. Competente; Elvira y. Medina; Maria Donna Grey Miranda; Angelo Villanueva Suarez; Jose Sonny G. Matula; David L. Diwa; James Bernard E. Relativo; and Giovanni a. Tapang Vs. Joseph Emilio a. Abaya, in His Capacity as Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications; Renato Z. San Jose, in His Capacity as Officer-in-Charge of Metro Rail Transit 3 Office; Light Rail Transit Authority, Represented by Honorito D. Chaneco as Administrator; Metro Rail Transit Corporation; and Light Rail Manila Corporation G.r. No. 215703 United Filipino Consumers and Commuters, Inc., Represented by Its President, Rodolfo B. Javellana, Jr. Vs. Joseph Emilio a. Abaya, in His Capacity as Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications; Metro Rail Transit Corporation; and Light Rail Transit Authority G.r. No. 215704 Bayan Muna Representative Neri Javier Colmenares; Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate; Anthony Ian Cruz; Imelda v. Luna; and Carl Anthony Ala Vs. Joseph Emilio a. Abaya, in His Capacity as Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications; Light Rail Transit Authority; and Renato Z. San Jose, in His Capacity as Officer-in-Charge of Metro Rail Transit 3 Office G.r. No. 216735 Joseph Victor G. Ejercito, Jose L. Atienza, Jr., Irwin C. Tieng, Mariano Michael del Monte Velarde, Jr., Leah D. Paquiz, Gustavo S. Tambunting, Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, Alan a. Tanjusay, Allan S. Montaño, Leody Q. de Guzman, Renato B. Magtubo; and Annie E. Geron Vs. Winston M. Ginez, in His Capacity as Chairperson of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board; Joseph Emilio a. Abaya, in His Capacity as Secretary of Department of Transportation and Communications; Renato Z. San Jose, in His Capacity as Officer-in-Charge of Metro Rail Transit 3 Office; Light Rail Transit Authority; Metro Rail Transit Corporation; and Light Rail Manila CorporationThe government may raise LRT and MRT fares, but it must give public notice and a chance to be heard first, and here the earlier public consultations were enough.
  27. 27G.R. 219623Land Bank of the Philippines v. Heirs of Fernando Alsua, Represented by Ramon Alsua, et al.Just compensation for land taken under agrarian reform must be fixed as of the time of taking using the factors in the agrarian law, and courts are not strictly bound by the Department of Agrarian Reform formulas but must explain any departure.
  28. 28G.R. 228232Police Officer 2 Arthur M. Pineda v. People of PhilippinesA person cannot be convicted of a crime that the charge sheet does not describe, so a police officer charged with consenting to a prisoner's escape could not be convicted of letting him escape through negligence.
  29. 29G.R. 215494National Power Corporation v. Ibrahim Abdo, Bariga P. Sarip, Ebra Itomama, Tamili** P. Marugong, Shahaina Campong Ampuan, Mamarico B. Sansarona, Rohanya Bantuas Sarip,*** et al.A court that never properly got jurisdiction over a case cannot be handed the case again, and a complaint called a class suit must really meet the requirements of one.
  30. 30G.R. 261920Xxx261920,* v. People of the PhilippinesA husband cannot be convicted of psychological abuse under the Anti-VAWC law unless it is proven that the specific act charged caused his wife's anguish and that he acted deliberately to inflict it.
  31. 31G.R. 243368Parañaque Industry Owners Association, Inc., Represented by Patricia Sy and Rosalinda Escobilla v. James Paul G. Recio, Daryl Tancinco, and Marizene R. TancincoA newly registered corporation is a different entity from an older corporation whose registration was revoked, so it cannot sue to recover the old corporation's land unless the land was transferred to it.
  32. 32A.C. 13219(Formerly Cbd Case No. 18-5598) in Re: G.r. Nos. 226935, 228238, and 228325, v. Atty. Richard R. EnojoA local government's legal officer may not represent the governor or other local officials in cases filed against them before the Ombudsman, and doing so is a conflict of interest and unauthorized practice of law.
  33. 33G.R. 206863Pryce Corporation v. Engr. Vicente Ponce (Deceased), Substituted by Valeriano, Venancio, Vicente, Vitaliano, Vivencio All Surnamed Ponce and Ma. Virginia Ponce­ Quizon, Represented by Engr. Teodoro PondocWhen two land titles overlap, the older title does not automatically win, because a title that comes from a void source is void and the buyer who first registered in good faith is protected.
  34. 34G.R. 238877People of the Philippines v. Sandiganbayan (Fourth Division), Evelio Ramos Leonardia, Goldwyn v. Nifras, Luzviminda S. Treyes, Nelson M. Sedillo, Sr., Belly P. Aguillon, Eduardo H. Ravena, Aladino a. Agbones, Jaries Ebenizer E. Encabo, Melvin B. Recabar, and Anabelle C. BadajosWhen the Ombudsman takes years to finish a preliminary investigation without a real, case-specific excuse, the accused's right to a speedy disposition of their case is violated and the criminal case is dismissed.
  35. 35G.R. 215527-28Presidential Commission on Good Government, Julieta C. Bertuben, Ide C. Tillah, Emmanuel E. Cruz, Sergio Osmeña III, Tirso Antiporda Jr., Victor S. Ziga, Luis M. Mirasol, Jr., and Jose y. Feria v. Eduardo M. Cojuangco Jr., Enriquez M. Cojuangco, Manuel M. Cojuangco,*** Estelito P. Mendoza, and Gabriel L. VillarealQuo warranto petitions over who validly sat on the San Miguel board in 1995 and 1996 were moot because the directors' terms had long expired and the Court had already ruled that the registered owners own the shares.
  36. 36G.R. 255961Petron Corporation v. Commissioner of Internal RevenueAlkylate, a gasoline blending component made by alkylation and not by distillation, is not covered by the excise tax on naphtha, regular gasoline and similar products of distillation, so the tax Petron paid on it must be refunded.
  37. 37G.R. 223107People of the Philippines v. Ruby Agustin and Jovelyn AntonioA pawnshop employee who helped take money by pawning fake jewelry was guilty of qualified theft, but because she had already been jailed longer than her maximum penalty, the Court ordered her immediate release.
  38. 38G.R. 198201Office of the Ombudsman v. Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, Wendel E. Avisado, Jose D. Gestuveo, Jr., Elmer B. Raño, J. Melchor Quitain, and Yusop a. Jimlani Prospero C. Nograles Vs. Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, Wendel E. Avisado, Jose D. Gestuveo, Jr., Elmer R. Raño, J. Melchor Quitain, and Yusop a. JimlaniCity officials who tore down a national-government canal cover were not guilty of simple misconduct because the rules on notice and permits could not be strictly applied to a public structure the owner's own agency helped demolish, but an Ombudsman penalty must still be carried out even while it is being appealed.
  39. 39G.R. 249434Rene Manuel R. Jose v. Elizabeth Quesada-Jose, for Herself as Heir, and as Representative of Co-Heirs, Children of Deceased Luis Mario Jose, Namely: Nathaniel Sean P. Jose, Naomi Celena P. Jose-Chokr, Neill Emmanuel Q. Jose, and Nicholas Matthew Q. JoseA second case is barred when it raises the same issue, between the same interests, that was already fully tried and decided in an earlier case, and a defence that could have been a counterclaim to cancel a title cannot be raised later in a separate suit.
  40. 40G.R. 248650Elizabeth Ong Lim v. Lazaro N. Cruz, Represented by Vicente T. CruzA farmer who got land from the agrarian reform program cannot validly sell it within ten years, but the farmer may still take the land back from the buyer, who is only entitled to a refund.
  41. 41G.R. 229706National Power Corporation v. Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management CorporationPSALM took over only the liabilities of the National Power Corporation that already existed on 26 June 2001, so it cannot be made to pay local business taxes assessed on NPC for 2006 to 2009.
  42. 42G.R. 190266-67City of Batangas, Represented by Hon. Eduardo B. Dimacuha, in His Capacity as the Mayor of Batangas City v. Jg Summit Petrochemical Corporation and First Gas Power Corporation and Fgp CorporationA city ordinance, however well-meaning, is void if it regulates something already governed by a national law, as the Batangas ordinance did when it tried to control how companies use groundwater.
  43. 43G.R. 230704Corazon C. Reyes v. the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon and Field Investigation Office II, Represented by Atty. Vic T. EscalanteA procurement rule that is broken does not automatically make a government officer criminally liable for graft, and the rule on disclosing family ties applies to public bidding, not to simple price-quotation purchases called shopping.
  44. 44G.R. 252859People of the Philippines v. Ronnie Ralla y BulaquiñaWhen a robber kills one person and also hurts others during the same robbery, the law treats everything as one crime of robbery with homicide, even if he was charged separately for the other victims.
  45. 45G.R. 200015Department of Public Works and Highways v. Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Inc. and Leo Cleto Gamolo G.r. No. 205846 United Architects of the Philippines Vs. Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Inc. and Leo Cleto GamoloSince the Architecture Act of 2004, only licensed architects may prepare, sign and seal architectural documents for buildings, and civil engineers can no longer do so.
  46. 46G.R. 191299-191302Herman Antonio M. Bascon and Antonio Villamor v. Emiliano O. Negre, Jr. Julia F. Pontrivida, Evelyn F. Negre, Joselito Q. Mulle, Riden J. Ilosorio, Feliciano C. Fernandez, Renato C. Ducay, Villamor B. Villaester, Zandro N. Villaester, Renato O. Toling, Bernadette S. Ofianga, Renato G. Negre, Vevien T. Sente, Charlie F. Santillan, Edmund a. Legaspino, Mercela S. Indino, Edgardo D. Ilosorio, Rogelio D. Ilosorio, Renante D. Ilosorio, Lydio L. Giganto, Gilberto O. Fernandez, Fernando O. Mulle, Adelmo M. Maru, Damaso D. Mansueto, Maria Grace O. Lorca, Alex D. Lorca, Aileen O. Lorca, Marcelino C. Villarino, Jr., Roque M. Villaester, Leonora C. Villaester, Noel a. Villaceran, Julio Z. Villaceran, Francisca N. Toling, Irene v. Sollano, Marilyn G. Santillan, Davita P. Santillan, Joselito a. Santillan, Dominador a. Santillan, Leizel G. Santillan, Jupeter a. Rebusit, Zaldy a. Pontrivida, Zacarias J. Pontrivida, Roque F. Pontrivida, Lucas J. Pontrivida, Bernabe J. Pontrivida, Juvy F. Pontrivida, Juven D. Pantaleon, Rosario F. Pantaleon, Elino I. Oflas, Resurreccion M. Oflas, Ramil P. Ofianga, Gregorio S. Negre, Bhible S. Miranda, Mildred S. Miranda, Romeo C. Miranda, Leonardo a. Mata, Bebot O. Marollano, Allan B. Marollano, Benji a. Marangga, Rommel a. Mansueto, Jesus P. Mansueto, Rolando L. Lambonao, Eusebio a. Jista, Violeto M. Inoy, Antonio S. Ilustrisimo, Ranilo R. Goria, Michelle L. Girran, Renante D. Gilbuela, Maria Elena E. Gilbuela, Celestino K. Gilbuela, Eduardo S. Gilbuela, Joel P. Giganto, Agustin Q. Fernandez, Zosimo y. Fernandez, Jovani C. Fernandez, Jesus D. Fernandez, Jenifer C. Fernandez, Paulino y. Fernandez, Dominador M. Fernandez, Jeony M. Enriquez, Abdon a. Eben, Romeo K. Ducay, Isidro M. Ducay, Benjamin K. Ducay, Julio K. Ducay, Juan M. Destura, Asterio O. Cordova, Joebe S. Cordova, Mario M. Cordova, Marvin M. Cordova, Reyell E. Cordova, Julito M. Cernal, Alberto B. Cena, Alfonso a. Caranzo, Pio S. Capuras, Eduardo S. Capuras, Joel S. Caporas, Santiago S. CAñete, Maximino T. Brion, Rodeliza E. Booc, Antonio P. Biaca, Rolly a. Bayon-on, Danilo v. Bawiga, Marcelino J. Barcelo, Danny Boy v. Bacia, Felix a. Aton, Sandy S. Amadeo, Alfie a. Amadeo, Ruel C. Alontaga, Emilia L. Alolor, Allan T. Alolod, Pedrio S. Alob, Adrian O. Alob, Roque O. Alob, Joel O. Alob, Rafael O. Alob, Eliezar a. Aligato, Melvin M. Aligato, Leonardo P. Abais, Anthony G. Ybañez, Edmond C. Villarante, Roque M. Tumabiene, Sr., Pedro B. Tinga, Jr., Miguel S. Tinga, Edgar E. Solano, Pedro T. Santillan, Mario v. Santillan, Ernesto P. Santillan, Joselito C. Pacina, Edgardo S. Ofianga, Gines H. Nunez, Jr., Miguel D. Nemenzo, Hilario S. Negre, Willy D. Negre, Randy S. Necesario, Jumar a. Labores, Rogelio F. Canama, Genelyn L. Canama, Arturo C. Besabella, Marlovita Ursal, Dr. Oscar S. Romanillos, and Engr. Ubaldo Canete, Jr., and of the Election Registration Board of Municipality of San Remigio, CebuA challenge to the voter registration of 153 fishing-company workers failed because the challengers did not prove that the workers did not actually live in the barangay.
  47. 47A.C. 8067Philippine National Bank v. Atty. Henry S. OaminalA lawyer who brings a mayor and his armed bodyguards to a hearing to pressure the judge can be suspended from practice.
  48. 48G.R. 238798Cicl Xxx v. People of the PhilippinesA 17-year-old can be held criminally liable only if the prosecution proves he acted with discernment, meaning he understood that what he did was wrong and what it would lead to.
  49. 49G.R. 252092Sophia T. Borja, Ma. Ethel P. Gibe, Mary Grace Dg. Corpuz, Joy T. Agudia, Aurea C. Cosio, Wilfredo B. Collado, Myrna D. Malabayabas, Evelyn F. Javier, Eduardo Jimmy P. Quilang, Rizal G. Corales, Renato B. Bajit, Manuel Jose C. Regalado, Glenda Dc. Ravelo, Leo C. Javier, Caesar Joventino M. Tado, Rhemilyn Z. Relado, Babylinda O. Reyes v. Commission on Audit (COA)The Court agreed that PhilRice's car plan payments were an unauthorized extra allowance, but excused the officials and car owners from returning the money because of the exceptional circumstances.
  50. 50A.C. 13559(Formerly Cbd Case No. 14-4205) Kang Tae Sik v. Atty. Alex y. Tan and Atty. Roberto S. FederisA lawyer's duty not to use a former client's secrets against that client continues after the engagement ends, but a disbarment complaint fails if the client cannot prove with enough evidence that confidential information was actually used.
  51. 51G.R. 217111Lilah Gail Corpuz Alfiler v. Sps. John Cayabyab and Geraldine Cayabyab, Represented by Attorney-in-Fact, Jose VasalloA person who sues to evict others must prove a real right to possess the property, and a sale signed by an agent after the owner died, with no written authority shown, gives no such right.
  52. 52G.R. 247339Department of Agrarian Reform Represented by the Hon. John R. Castriciones v. Lapanday Foods Corporation and Hijo Employees Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative 1A dispute over a contract to sell bananas grown on land awarded to agrarian reform beneficiaries is decided by regular courts under contract law, not by the Department of Agrarian Reform, so the Department could not intervene.
  53. 53G.R. 2300134e Steel Builders Corporation and Spouses Filomeno G. Ecraela & Virginia Ecraela v. Maybank Philippines, Inc., and the Sheriff of the City of Caloocan Maybank Philippines, Inc. Vs. 4e Steel Builders Corporation and Spouses Filomeno G. Ecraela & Virginia EcraelaA foreign bank could not bid in a foreclosure sale of mortgaged land held in 2003, so that sale was void, and an interest rate tied only to the vague "prevailing prime rate plus 2.5%" is also void.
  54. 54G.R. 257849Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office v. Antonio F. MendozaA lotto bettor can win the jackpot by proving he picked the winning numbers, even if his ticket was damaged and cannot be validated.
  55. 55A.M. RTJ-21-017Marilou Casas Usama v. (Ret.) Hon. Oscar D. Tomarong, Branch 28, Regional Trial Court, Liloy, Zamboanga del NorteA judge who grants bail to a person in a killing case without notifying the prosecutor or holding a hearing, and who frees people who are not parties to a habeas corpus case, is guilty of gross ignorance of the law and gross misconduct.
  56. 56G.R. 243133Republic of the Philippines, Through the Office of the Solicitor General, Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (Osca), Department of Social Welfare and Development (Dswd) v. Pryce Corporation, IncThe 20% senior citizen discount on funeral and burial services also covers interment services, such as digging the grave and concreting it.
  57. 57A.M. RTJ-11-2289(Formerly Oca Ipi No. 11-3656-Rtj) in Re: Anonymous Letter Dated August 12, 2010, Complaining Against Judge Ofelia T. Pinto, Regional Trial Court, Branch 60, Angeles City, PampangaThe Supreme Court partly granted a dismissed judge's plea for mercy, releasing one third of her retirement benefits because she showed genuine remorse and was in dire need, but not all of them because of her record of other offenses.
  58. 58G.R. 249387Rehman Sabir v. Department of Justice-Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit (DOJ-Rsppu)The Supreme Court refused to declare Rehman Sabir a refugee on its own and kept its order sending his application back to the DOJ Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit, because the facts of his claim had not been properly worked out.
  59. 59A.C. 8616Re: Dated April 23, 2010 in Consolidated Administrative Cases Oca Ipi No. 07-2630-Rtj, a.m. No. Rtj-07-2049; a.m. No. Rtj-08-2141; and a.m. No. Rtj-07-2093, Against Former Judge Evelyn S. Arcaya-ChuaA former judge who was dismissed for misconduct, including soliciting money and not reporting marriages she solemnized, can also be disbarred, meaning removed from the practice of law.
  60. 60G.R. 255299Aaa255299,* v. Xxx255299A motion for reconsideration is not allowed in a protection order case under the anti-violence law, but the Supreme Court still let the husband's late appeal go forward because the wife had filed the same kind of motion.
  61. 61G.R. 232169Republic of the Philippines, Represented by the Department of Public Works and Highways v. Casimiro* Tamparong, JrWhen the government takes land and pays the full price late, it must pay interest on the unpaid balance even if it made an advance payment.
  62. 62G.R. 224550Cham Teng Hui and James L. Cham v. Wilson P. Cham and Bernard P. ChamWhen relatives of a dead person dispute who has the right to inherit, the court must hold a trial and cannot decide quickly on the parties' own statements, and an agreement that settles who the heirs are is void.
  63. 63G.R. 256144Equitable Pcibank v. Spouses Maximo and Soledad Lacson and Marietta F. YuchingA bank that stopped alleged check-kiting by dishonoring the checks could not recover P20 Million in actual damages, because no money ever left the bank.
  64. 64G.R. 228127Fernando C. Clavecilla, Represented by Atty. Marvel C. Clavecilla v. Marivic v. Clavecilla and the Republic of the PhilippinesEither spouse, even the one claiming to be psychologically incapacitated, may file a petition to declare the marriage void, but the petitioner must still prove with clear and convincing evidence a lasting pattern showing that one spouse could not perform the essential duties of marriage.
  65. 65G.R. 246933Agnes Padrique Georfo v. Republic of the Philippines and Joe-Ar Jabian GeorfoA marriage can be declared void for psychological incapacity without a doctor ever examining the other spouse, as long as the totality of the evidence clearly and convincingly shows the spouse cannot carry out the essential duties of marriage.
  66. 66G.R. 253821Sugar Regulatory Administration v. Central Azucarera de Bais IncIf an appeal raises only questions of law, it must go straight to the Supreme Court, and filing it in the Court of Appeals instead makes the lower court's decision final.
  67. 67G.R. 256301People of the Philippines v. Joel Gabisay, Jr. y Elpa and Ronnie DoniniaWhen two men take turns raping an abducted girl, only the first rape is part of the single crime of forcible abduction with rape, and the second rape is a separate crime with its own penalty.
  68. 68G.R. 253090Bobby Carbonel y Dreza a.k.a. "Edgar" v. People of the PhilippinesA man seen with a revolver tucked in his waist, who had no license, was properly convicted of illegal possession of firearms because the gun was in plain view, so the seizure needed no warrant.
  69. 69G.R. 250219Xxx v. People of the PhilippinesA husband who is unfaithful, lives with another woman and abandons his wife and child can be convicted of psychological violence under R.A. No. 9262 when they suffer mental or emotional anguish as a result.
  70. 70G.R. 260428Clarita D. Aclado v. Government Service Insurance SystemGSIS cannot charge a retired teacher compounding interest and penalties on unpaid loans without first demanding payment, and the Court cut those charges and ordered the excess returned.
  71. 71G.R. 254020Heirs of Raisa Dimao, Namely: Elias D. Comagul, Edres D. Comagul, Sapia D. Comagul, Rasmia D. Dimacaling, Salem Rascal, Saidamen D. Comagul, and Raihani D. Mangadira v. National Grid Corporation of the PhilippinesHeirs of a free patent holder were not entitled to just compensation for land crossed by a power transmission line built in 1978, before their predecessor got title, and they had to return the P1,756,400.00 deposited by the grid company.
  72. 72G.R. 255989Rodrigo Galande v. Flordeliza Espiritu-Sarenas and Jimmy O. EspirituA person who lets someone farm his land on the promise to leave when asked can evict that person through an unlawful detainer case, and an old notice of adverse claim on the title does not by itself give the occupant the right to stay.
  73. 73G.R. 253312Rodrigo Conche y Obilo v. People of the PhilippinesAn accused jailed for life cannot lose his right to appeal because his lawyer lied about filing the appeal, so the Supreme Court revived his case.
  74. 74G.R. 229490La Filipina Uy Gongco Corporation and Philippine Foremost Milling Corporation v. Harbour Centre Port Terminal, Inc., Its Agents, Representatives, Entities Acting in Its Behalf, and the Philippine Ports Authority Harbour Centre Port Terminal, Inc. Vs. La Filipina Uy Gongco Corporation and Philippine Foremost Milling Corporation La Filipina Uy Gongco Corporation and Philippine Foremost Milling Corporation Vs. Harbour Centre Port Terminal, IncA port operator that signed a deal promising berthing priority and deep water must keep its promises, but a very large penalty for breaking them can be cut in half if it is unconscionable.