February 2024

46decisions
  1. 01G.R. 206985Jose Leni Z. Solidum v. Smart Communications, Inc., Napoleon L. Nazareno and Ricardo P. IslaWhen a labor arbiter orders a dismissed employee reinstated and the employer refuses, the employer must pay the wages that built up during the appeal, even if it later wins, and the employee does not have to give them back.
  2. 02G.R. 249540Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Arturo E. Villanueva, JrThe tax bureau cannot use the longer 10-year period to assess a taxpayer just because a return is wrong; it must prove the return was false on purpose to evade tax, and it must also prove the taxpayer actually received the assessment notices.
  3. 03G.R. 262579People of the Philippines v. Rossano Samson y TiongcoA man was convicted of murdering an 11-year-old girl based on a chain of circumstances and a lawyer-assisted written confession, but his penalty and damages were lowered to match the Court's standard amounts.
  4. 04A.M. 15-05-50-MCTCIn Re: Incorrect Entries in the Daily Time Record of Ms. Lorna M. Martin, Court Stenographer I, Municipal Circuit Trial Court (Mctc), Sta. Ignacia-Mayantoc-San Clemente-San Jose, TarlacA court employee who falsifies her daily time record and defies her judge's lawful order commits serious dishonesty, gross misconduct and gross insubordination, and the Court raised the penalty the OCA recommended.
  5. 05A.M. MTJ-23-019Richard Caringal v. Judge Cornelio a. Sy, Presiding Judge, Municipal Trial Court, San Jose, Occidental MindoroA judge was cleared of misconduct for accepting full payment through the winning party's lawyer, and the Court said that disciplinary complaints are not a substitute for ordinary court remedies.
  6. 06G.R. 226138Republic of the Philippines, Represented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (Dpwh) v. Espina & Madarang, Co. and Makar Agricultural CorpOwners of land taken for a national highway do not have to file a money claim with the Commission on Audit before being paid just compensation, and they are entitled to interest for the long delay.
  7. 07G.R. 255569Philippine Health Insurance Corporation v. Commission on Audit Philippine Health Insurance Corporation Employees' Association, Through Its Leaders, Lorna Bernas, Susan G. Iduyan, et al.-PhilHealth cannot pay its employees extra bonuses and allowances without a law or presidential approval, and an appeal to the Commission on Audit filed after the 180-day period is too late.
  8. 08A.M. 23-07-26-SCRe: Post of Atty. Erwin Erfe on Social Media Accusing the Court of Judicial TyrannyA lawyer who publicly calls the Supreme Court's action "judicial tyranny" on Facebook is punished, even if he apologizes and deletes the post.
  9. 09A.M. P-14-3223(Formerly Oca Ipi No. 10-3344-P) Leonila v. Beltran Vs. Raineria S. Pabica, Stenographer I/acting Clerk of Court, Municipal Trial Court, Palompon, LeyteA court employee who steers a litigant to a lawyer, takes money in exchange for a favorable decision, and ignores the Supreme Court's orders for years loses her retirement benefits.
  10. 10A.M. 23-05-05-SCRequest of the Public Attorney'S Office to Delete Section 22, Canon III of the Proposed Code of Professional Responsibility and AccountabilityA lawyer who heads a government office may criticize a Supreme Court rule, but she is punished when she attacks the Court on social media, rallies the public against it, and tells her lawyers to treat the rule as optional.
  11. 11G.R. 256116Main T. Mohammad v. Office of the Secretary, Department of Justice, Menardo I. Guevarra, in His Capacity as Secretary of JusticeA person acquitted by the trial court cannot claim state compensation for unjust imprisonment under Republic Act No. 7309, because the law requires a prior conviction that is later reversed by an acquittal.
  12. 12G.R. 253127Lucilo R. Bayron (in His Official Capacity as Mayor of the City of Puerto Princesa), Jimmy L. Carbonell, Henry a. Gadiano, Feliberto S. Oliveros III, Roberto D. Herrera (in His Official Capacity as Supervising Administrative Officer and Acting Assistant Budget Officer of the City Government of Puerto Princesa), and Mylene J. Atienza (in Her Official Capacity as Administrative Officer IV and as Member of the Screening & Evaluation Committee of the City Government of Puerto Princesa) v. Commission on AuditPuerto Princesa City's early separation incentive for employees was an illegal extra retirement plan, but two employees who only certified funds and served on a committee need not refund the money.
  13. 13G.R. 258841Juan Ponce Enrile v. Sandiganbayan and People of the PhilippinesA bill of particulars adds details to the charge but does not box in the prosecution's evidence, so the Sandiganbayan did not err in refusing to limit evidence to it, and Enrile's petition was dismissed.
  14. 14G.R. 264659Philippine Health Insurance Corporation v. Commission on Audit, as Represented by Its Former Chairperson, Michael G. AguinaldoPhilHealth employees are public health workers, but that does not automatically entitle them to hazard pay and subsistence allowance; each benefit must meet the conditions of the law and its rules.
  15. 15A.M. RTJ-24-055(Formerly Oca Ipi No. 18-4800-Rtj) Alexander F. Balutan v. Hon. Joselito C. Villarosa, Presiding Judge, Branch 66, Regional Trial Court, Makati CityA trial judge who ignores a Supreme Court restraining order and rushes to decide a case on the merits and order execution is guilty of serious misconduct, even if he has already retired.
  16. 16G.R. 249238Republic of the Philippines v. Ruby Cuevas Ng a.k.a. Ruby Ng SonoA Filipino can have a divorce obtained abroad by mutual agreement with a foreign spouse recognized in the Philippines, but must prove both the divorce and the foreign country's divorce law properly.
  17. 17A.C. 13253Elena S. Felix and Gem a. Cabreros v. Atty. Lorenzo G. GadonA lawyer can be punished for vulgar, false and hateful statements he makes on air even in a private capacity, and anyone may file a disbarment complaint without having been personally harmed.
  18. 18G.R. 226445Tuna Processors, Inc. v. Frescomar Corporation & Hawaii International Seafoods, Inc.,* (Hisi) Hawaii International Seafood, Inc. Vs. Tuna Processors, IncA patent protects only what its claims say, so making filtered smoke is not infringement of a patent for curing tuna with cold smoke, but a company that maliciously pushed a licensee to stop paying royalties is still liable for damages.
  19. 19G.R. 268216Caridad Pacheco v. Jimmy F. ReyesChoosing the wrong court remedy, skipping required sworn certifications and filing late can end a case, even when the party claims she owns the property.
  20. 20G.R. 259381People of the Philippines v. Jonel F. GepitulanEven if a drug arrest is lawful, the accused must go free when the police cannot explain why they skipped the required witnesses and left doubt about whether the evidence in court is the same plant they seized.
  21. 21G.R. 247331Hon. Lourdes R. Jose, in Her Capacity as City Treasurer of City of Caloocan v. Tigerway Facilities and Resources, IncA local tax assessment that does not explain its factual and legal basis is void, and the taxpayer who paid it can then claim a refund within two years of payment.
  22. 22G.R. 247009Cesar a. Altarejos, Conrado M. Balagtas, Ricky Boy Dc. Piñeda, Gaudioso G. Josol, Alonzo Dc. Caabas, Warlita Remo Cabrito, Erwin T. Comendador, Rhacel R. Faustino, Hernane N. Guerrero, Renie L. Salanga, Benjamin R. Santos, Melchor L. Junio, Sr., Edgardo P. Sales, Carmelita a. Oanes, Rebecca M. Villero, Leonardo T. Azurin, Ian Cris Q. Dacoco, Jorge v. Salanga, Benedicto R. Salpayne, Alfredo M. Bachiller, Arlindo R. Lugmao, Arthur E. Llavan, Jr., Jose Marie N. Gerance, Conrado B. Carusos, Andrew a. Carusos, Rizaldy M. dela Cruz, Vilmor E. Salarda, Noel a. Carusos, Joy a. Aguilar, Reynaldo C. Aguilar, and Arnel O. Nicart,* Vs. Hon. Herbert Bautista, in His Capacity as City Mayor of Quezon City; Tadeo M. Palma, in His Capacity as Secretary to the Mayor of Quezon City; and Marlowe y. Jacutin, in His Capacity as Officer-in-Charge of Task Force Copriss of Quezon CityA city mayor can order demolition and eviction without a court only in the limited situations the law allows, and a demolition order outside those situations is void.
  23. 23G.R. 264439Ramon O. Sampana v. the Maritime Training Center of the Philippines, Captain Alejandro C. Aquino, Jr., and Normandy E. GualbertoAn instructor kept on repeated three-month contracts for over five years was a regular employee, and calling the deal a consultancy or a fixed-term contract could not change that.
  24. 24G.R. 243349Philippine Pizza, Inc. v. Romeo Gregorio Oladive, Jr., Arnel D. Labog, John Laurence R. Verdida, Paul William S. Soliman, Rommel N. Caccam, Ramil D. Delos Santos, Gabriel S. Montana, Teofilo N. Bergantin, Arthur a. de Guzman, and Consolidated Building Maintenance, IncA company that moves its own workers to a contractor so they can keep doing the same job, without becoming regular employees, is engaged in prohibited labor-only contracting and is their real employer.
  25. 25G.R. 255100Domingo v. de Guzman III Vs. People of the Philippines G.r. No. 255229 Tomas Pastorvs. Dalia Guerrero Pastor G.r. No. 255503 People of Philippines Vs. Dalia Guerrero Pastor and Domingo v. de Guzman IIITo arrest and charge someone, or to deny bail, the court needs only evidence that makes guilt probable or strong, not proof beyond reasonable doubt, and here that standard was met against both the alleged mastermind and the victim's wife.
  26. 26G.R. 230147Juanito Gallano y Obrar v. People of the PhilippinesPaying with a counterfeit bill is not a crime unless the person knew it was fake, and a man who had the bill re-checked after being told it was fake was acquitted.
  27. 27A.M. 19-01-15-RTCIn Re: Report on the Judicial Audit in Branch 24, Regional Trial Court, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, Under Hon. Raphiel F. Alzate, as Acting Presiding JudgeA judge who defies the Supreme Court's own suspension order, and hides it by not mentioning it, can be dismissed from the service.
  28. 28G.R. 262941People of the Philippines v. YyyEven though the law against child pornography was repealed while the appeal was pending, the new law punishes the same acts, so the accused can still be convicted for what she did under the old law.
  29. 29G.R. 254531Floro Galorio y Gapas v. People of the PhilippinesA man who stabbed his attacker once to stop him from hurting his wounded nephew was acquitted because he acted in defense of a relative.
  30. 30G.R. 244695, 244752& 245294 Manggagawa Sa Komunikasyon Ng Pilipinas v. Pldt, Inc. G.r. No. 244752 Pldt, Inc. Vs. Hon. Secretary of Labor and Employment Silvestre H. Bello III and Manggagawa Sa Komunikasyon Ng Pilipinas G.r. No. 245294 Silvestre H. Bello III in His Capacity as the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment Vs. Pldt, IncThe Labor Secretary can decide whether an employer-employee relationship exists during a labor inspection, but he cannot order thousands of contractors' workers regularized on the strength of worker interviews alone.
  31. 31G.R. 237422People of the Philippines v. Ben G. BationA man caught watering marijuana plants was acquitted because the police did not have a media representative present during the inventory and gave no good reason for it.
  32. 32G.R. 256540Bison Management Corporation v. Aaa• and Dale P. Pernito,••Filipino workers abroad are protected by Philippine law, so an overseas worker cannot be fired just for testing positive for HIV, even if the foreign country allows it.
  33. 33G.R. 260118Paolo Martin M. Ortigas, Denise Marie O. Ting and Carissa Katrina O. Ko, Heirs of Jocelyn M. Ortigas v. Court of Appeals and Hesilito N. CarredoA court judgment against a person who was already dead when the case was filed is void, and the dead person's heirs can ask the Court of Appeals to cancel it.
  34. 34G.R. 255308Ma. Anacleta Rachelle Paguirigan y Cueto v. People of the PhilippinesAn accused cannot be convicted of estafa for deceit that was not alleged in the information, and here the evidence also failed to prove deceit, so she was acquitted but still had to refund the money.
  35. 35G.R. 244657Michael G. Valencia v. People of the PhilippinesA man can be convicted of adultery based on strong circumstantial evidence, even if no one saw the sexual act itself.
  36. 36G.R. 250296Republic of the Philippines, Represented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (Dpwh) v. a.d. Gonzales, Jr. Construction and Trading Company, IncA contractor that actually did government work must still be paid for it, even if the contract lacked the required certification that funds were available, otherwise the State would be unjustly enriched.
  37. 37G.R. 228490Heirs of Elias Solano & Gleceria Falabi Solano v. Pascual T. Dy Heirs of Pascual T. Dy Vs. Spouses Renato & Merle Samson, Heirs of Elias Solano & Gleceria Falabi SolanoA lender who holds land only as security for a loan does not own it, so she cannot sell it to someone else; the buyer gets only the lender's right to be paid and the landowners may still redeem the land.
  38. 38G.R. 257702Mark Anthony Pagtakhan y Flores v. People of the PhilippinesA robbery conviction cannot stand when the only proof is a victim's pointing at the accused, with no early description of the robber and an identification shaped by what other people told him.
  39. 39A.C. 12353Melody H. Santos v. Atty. Emilio S. Paña, JrA lawyer who took part in getting a fake court decision for a client was disbarred, meaning he can no longer practice law.
  40. 40A.C. 13753Julieta L. Co v. Atty. Jorge P. MonroyA government lawyer who used his office to trick a friend into paying for a vehicle he could not deliver was disbarred, even though his criminal conviction was not proven final.
  41. 41G.R. 262193Development Bank of the Philippines v. Commission on AuditWhen the Commission on Audit takes years too long to decide a case, the disallowance it ordered can be wiped out, even if the payments were improper.
  42. 42G.R. 265754People of the Philippines v. Dennis Hernandez y Caringal and Maria Cristina Anonuevo y CorianaA minor lured with a fake job offer and then forced to have sex at gunpoint is a victim of qualified trafficking, and the man who raped her and the woman who helped him are both guilty of qualified rape.
  43. 43G.R. 235894Karen Baldovino Chua v. Jose Noel B. de CastroA regular court cannot send a construction dispute to the construction arbitration body when the parties never agreed to arbitrate.
  44. 44G.R. 264846Ccc v. Ddd, Eee, Fff, Ggg & HhhA father lost his bid to take back his two children from their late mother's relatives because the children's welfare and their own wishes came first.
  45. 45G.R. 264913People of the Philippines v. Ronald Paradero AporadoA killing done on the spur of the moment after being teased is homicide, not murder, and mockery during a drinking session is not enough to lessen the penalty.
  46. 46G.R. 214074Philippine National Bank v. Median Container Corporation and Eldon Industrial CorporationA bank's claim to collect money, filed in answer to a customer's suit to correct what a contract says, was a separate claim that needed its own filing fees, so it was dismissed.