May 2024

50decisions
  1. 01G.R. 258194People of the Philippines v. XxxA man who sold a 13-year-old girl to paying clients and also had sex with her was found guilty of child abuse and trafficking, and he can be convicted under both laws for the same acts.
  2. 02G.R. 261857People of the Philippines v. Cynthia Go Moreno, Pepito a. Maguilimotan, Nonela N. Villegas, Marilyn P. Flordeliza, and Gertrudes D. Ababon Augustus Caesar L. Moreno and Evangeline D. ManigosWhere the Ombudsman takes far too long to investigate and file graft charges and cannot justify the delay, the accused's right to speedy disposition of cases is violated and the cases must be dismissed.
  3. 03G.R. 239829National Grid Corporation of the Philippines v. Manila Electric CompanyWhen two or more power distributors are connected to the same sub-transmission asset, the law requires them to form a consortium before it can be sold, and one of them cannot simply waive its right to skip this.
  4. 04G.R. 258893Raul Domen y Aurellano v. People of the PhilippinesA trial court may approve a plea bargain in a drug sale case under the Supreme Court's own framework even if the prosecutor objects based only on a Department of Justice circular, but it must first check whether the accused qualifies.
  5. 05G.R. 234681Juanito Anro Salvador, Ken Russel Salvador and Michael Salvador v. Maria Minda a. Salvador, for Herself and in Representation of the Minors Alexis Salvador, Jeffrey Salvador, Anthony Salvador, and Hyacinth Salvador YeeA child born during his parents' marriage, or soon after the father's death, is presumed legitimate, and a relative cannot attack that status just by raising it as a defense in a property case.
  6. 06G.R. 255368Leo a. Abad, Romeo Abella, Marnie Agapay, Feleciano S. Bahan, Ruel R. Bahan, Angelito Cabañas, Jovilito G. Maestrado, Jr., Represented by His Mother, Nenita Maestrado, Tony L. Montante, Alvin D. Pal, Venjie Plasquita, Frankie L. Sabio, and Marijul O. Undap v. San Roque Metals, IncWorkers who already won an illegal dismissal case cannot be held to settlement deals that paid them only a small fraction of what the final judgment awarded them.
  7. 07G.R. 261571People of the Philippines v. Paul Joven y SenencheWhen a child aged 12 to under 18 is forced into sex without consent, the crime is rape under the Revised Penal Code, not child sexual abuse under Republic Act No. 7610.
  8. 08G.R. 267093Mark Anthony Romero y Flores v. People of the PhilippinesWhen a woman is knocked unconscious and carried off only so that she can be raped, the crime is rape alone, because the forced taking is absorbed into the rape.
  9. 09A.M. 24-02-09-SCRe: Draft Department of Justice-National Prosecution Service'S Rules on Preliminary Investigations and Inquest ProceedingsThe Supreme Court recognized the Department of Justice's authority to make its own rules for preliminary investigations and inquests, and repealed the conflicting parts of Rule 112.
  10. 10G.R. 258510Jess Christopher S. Biong v. Commission on Audit, et al.The Commission on Audit cannot make an officer repay government money just to punish his negligence when the government lost nothing, and it must serve its decision on the people it holds liable.
  11. 11G.R. 264196Robinsons Appliances Corporation (Robinsons Forum) v. Hon. Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry, Hon. Undersecretary Rowel S. Barba and Dti-Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau-Enforcement DivisionA store that sells a product without a required safety mark license number can be fined, even if it is only a retailer and the supplier made the product.
  12. 12A.C. 13628Helen a. Paez v. Atty. Alfonso D. DebuqueA lawyer who deals dishonestly in a private land purchase, including having several deeds of sale made with different prices, can be suspended from practice for three years.
  13. 13G.R. 223845Joseller M. Guiao v. Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and the Office of the PresidentThe Supreme Court ordered PAGCOR and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to give the Philippine Sports Commission the full shares of money that the law promises it.
  14. 14A.M. P-23-105(Formerly Oca Ipi No. 18-4848-P) Atty. Bonifacio a. Alentajan v. Reyner S. de Jesus, Sheriff IV, Branch 109, Regional Trial Court, Pasay CityA court sheriff who sits on a writ of execution for months, skips the required reports, and takes money from a litigant can be penalized, but the Court punished him with fines because he did not personally ask for the money.
  15. 15G.R. 267946People of the Philippines v. Nell Jackel Tuazon y PanlaquiPaying someone to bring you a minor for sex is qualified trafficking in persons, and the crime is complete even without sexual intercourse and even if the child went along willingly.
  16. 16G.R. 215035Julieta F. Enriquez, Romeo F. Enriquez, and Tita E. Velasco v. Heirs of Florencio F. Enriquez, Represented by Armando EnriquezA trial court cannot decide who owns a property on the strength of evidence that was presented only to decide whether to issue a temporary injunction, so the case must go back for a full trial.
  17. 17G.R. 264039People of the Philippines v. Ceferina Mendez a.k.a. "Soping/sofia"Police may catch someone who sells people for sex by pretending to be a customer, because that is a valid entrapment and not instigation.
  18. 18G.R. 267609People of the Philippines v. Wilfreda Laput Campos a.k.a. "Freda,"A bar owner who offers girls to customers for sex in exchange for money is guilty of qualified trafficking, even if no sex act took place and even if she did not know one of the girls was a minor.
  19. 19G.R. 263560People of Philippines v. Ferdinand Cadorna y Decembriano Alias "Maco,"When an adult kills a young child, the Court treats the killing as murder because a child cannot fight back, and the accused can be convicted even without an eyewitness to the killing itself.
  20. 20G.R. 262034Mercuria B. Magsi v. Heirs of Ignacio a. Lopez, Jr., Namely: Delia de Guzman Lopez and Lorraine de Guzman Lopez, and Rodolfo Barnachea, SrIn a forcible entry case, the person who was in physical possession first wins, even against the titled owner, because owners cannot throw out an occupant by force.
  21. 21G.R. 240320The Philippine American Life and General Insurance Company* and Pablito Bais v. Romeo D. Soriano and Maria Luisa R. SorianoInsurers that deny a valid accident claim and drag out the case can be made to pay interest and exemplary damages, and doubts in an insurance contract are decided in favor of the insured.
  22. 22G.R. 252347Rudy T. Ampolitod v. Top Ever Marine Management Phils. Inc., Temm Maritime Co., Ltd., and Capt. Oscar D. OrbetaA seafarer whose illness is not on the official list can still get full disability benefits if his work probably contributed to it and the company doctor never properly gave him a final fitness assessment.
  23. 23G.R. 241649Ron de Guzman Dimaapi v. People of the PhilippinesA person can be convicted of robbery even without direct proof that he took the goods, if a chain of proven circumstances points only to his guilt.
  24. 24G.R. 254838Jessica Lucila G. Reyes v. Director or Whoever Is in Charge of Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig, Metro Manila, and Jcinsp. Wena Fe Dalagan, Warden, Taguig City Jail Female DormitoryThe Supreme Court refused to reverse its order freeing an accused who had been jailed for almost nine years while her plunder trial dragged on, because detention under a valid court order can become oppressive and violate the right to speedy trial.
  25. 25G.R. 242473People of the Philippines v. Adrian Adrales y Jurado a.k.a. "Alicia Bakla,"A person who brings a child to customers for sex is guilty of qualified trafficking in persons, and it does not matter that the child was known for such conduct or agreed to it.
  26. 26G.R. 262975Magkakasama Sa Sakahan, Kaunlaran (Magsasaka) Party-List, Represented by Its Secretary­ General, Atty. General D. Du v. Commission on Elections and Soliman Villamin, JrThe Commission on Elections (COMELEC) cannot force a party-list group to keep a leader that the group itself has validly expelled, so the expelled leader had no power to file the group's election papers.
  27. 27G.R. 261472National Food Authority, Represented by Atty. Ma. Theresa S. Villafuerte, Cpa, in Her Capacity as Department Manager of Nfa Legal Affairs Department v. City Government of Tagum, City Assessor and City Treasurer of Tagum, Province of Davao del NorteThe National Food Authority is a government instrumentality, not a government-owned corporation, so a city cannot tax its real properties.
  28. 28A.C. 13368William S. Uy v. Atty. Elerizza a. Libiran-MeteoroA lawyer who repeatedly gets loans with checks that bounce, and ignores demands to pay, can be disbarred.
  29. 29G.R. 258527Arthur N. Aguilar, Ma. Theresa T. Defensor, Jeremy Z. Parulan, Fermin S. Lusung, Antonio T. Vilar, Enrique C. Cuejilo, Jr., Guillermo N. Hernandez, Rolando L. Macasaet, and Wilfredo P. Cu v. Commission on AuditDirectors and senior officers of a government-owned company cannot give themselves gratuity pay without the approvals the law requires, and those who approved and received it must return the money.
  30. 30A.C. 13842(Formerly Cbd Case No. 18-5810) Atty. Wilfredo Garrido, Jr. v. Atty. Lorenzo G. GadonA lawyer who swears that his complaint is based on personal knowledge or authentic records, when it is really based on hearsay, commits gross misconduct, even in an impeachment complaint.
  31. 31G.R. 249061Philippine Health Insurance Corporation v. Commission on Audit, Michael G. Aguinaldo, ChairpersonGovernment agencies cannot give allowances and gifts to job order and project-based contractors, but the officers who only certified that funds were available are not made to pay back the money.
  32. 32G.R. 259862Social Security System v. Commission on AuditThe Supreme Court upheld the Commission on Audit's disallowance of about PHP 20.7 million in employee incentives that the Social Security System paid without proper legal basis, and ordered the payees and the approving officers to return the money.
  33. 33G.R. 261459Xxx,* v. the Court of Appeals, People of the Philippines, and AaaIn a VAWC case, an order to give monthly support to the wife and child can be enforced right away while the appeal is pending, because it works like a protection order.
  34. 34G.R. 262749People of the Philippines v. JjjMaking children perform sexual shows online for foreign customers in exchange for money is qualified trafficking in persons, and child pornography is a separate crime from trafficking, although here it could no longer be charged because of double jeopardy.
  35. 35G.R. 237638Bgs Realty, Inc., Represented by Its Attorney-in-Fact Miguel Angelo Sarte Silverio v. Demetrio Aydalla and Heirs of Jose AydallaFarmer-beneficiaries who hold emancipation patents were not stripped of their land, because the agrarian office that ruled against them did not give them a real chance to be heard.
  36. 36G.R. 264919-21Gloria Maris Shark'S Fin Restaurant, Inc. v. Pacifico Q. LimA company's co-founder who registers the company's name as his own trademark, knowing the company has used it for years, acts in bad faith and loses the registration.
  37. 37A.C. 11020Inocentes Domie Balansag, Joel Molejon, and Bonifacio Catarata v. Atty. Dave Duallo and Atty. Rodolfo Dacalos, JrA lawyer who keeps filing motions and petitions just to delay carrying out a final judgment abuses court processes and can be suspended from practice.
  38. 38G.R. 266880National Transmission Corporation v. Clemente P. Untiveros, Spouses Jose v. Pagcaliwagan and Teodora M. Pagcaliwagan, Lucila M. Plata, Heirs of Juan Torres and Geronima a. Torres, Spouses Leonisa M. Lopez and Natalio B. Lopez, and Spouses Bernardo B. Pagcaliwagan & Anita C. Pagcaliwagan, All Represented by Freddie M. ArguellesIn a landowners' suit for payment for land restricted by a power transmission line, the company now operating the grid, NGCP, must be made a party to the case.
  39. 39G.R. 244071Shiela Marie B. Cafranca and Ma. Josephine B. Cafranca v. People of the Philippines Raymark Velasco @ "Mamark" and Carlito Orbiso y Abique @ "Carla" Vs. People of the PhilippinesA person cannot be convicted of homicide for a death after a quarrel unless the prosecution proves, usually with an autopsy, that the quarrel actually caused the death, and hurtful words alone are not a crime of ill-treatment by deed.
  40. 40G.R. 268342People of the Philippines v. Theodore B. Marrero, Nenita D. Lizardo, Helen K. Macli-Ing, Paulo P. Pagteilan, Lily Rose T. Kollin, Florence R. Gut-Omen, Edward B. Likigan, Soledad Theresa F. Wanawan, Jerome M. Falingao, Abdon a. Imingan and Ronald C. KimakimBreaking procurement rules is not automatically a crime of graft: the prosecution must still prove corrupt intent, actual undue injury or unwarranted benefit, and each accused's own part in it.
  41. 41G.R. 267360People of the Philippines v. Vergel CAñas y GanalonA person who arranges for a 13-year-old to have sex with paying clients is guilty of qualified trafficking in persons, and small slips in the victim's testimony do not clear him.
  42. 42A.M. P-19-4002Office of the Court Administrator v. Utility Worker I Gerson O. Galan, Regional Trial Court, Branch 30, Iloilo City, IloiloA court employee caught in a drug buy-bust operation is guilty of grave misconduct, and even after resigning he can be fined, lose his benefits and be barred from government work.
  43. 43G.R. 255074Nilda Laguna Salazar v. Commission on Audit (COA), and Ma. Mileguas M. Leyno, in Her Capacity as Regional Director of Commission on Audit Region IIIMembers of a municipality's Bids and Awards Committee can be held liable for a disallowed project payment when the bid invitation was not properly posted, even if the posting was the secretariat's job, but the amount they must return is reduced by the value of what the contractor actually delivered.
  44. 44A.M. RTJ-24-066[formerly Oca Ipi No. 20-5031-Rtj) Rico John Colorines Garcia, Represented by Camtugan and Partners v. Hon. Virginia D. Tehano-Ang, Presiding Judge, Branch 1, Regional Trial Court, Tagum City, Davao del NorteA judge who invents her own procedures, such as granting bail in a non-bailable case without a hearing, is guilty of gross ignorance of the law, even if she says she only wanted to speed things up.
  45. 45G.R. 263014Engr. Numeriano M. Castañeda, Jr., in His Capacity as the General Manager of San Rafael Water District (Srwd), on His Own Behalf and on Behalf of Other Srwd Officials and Employees v. Commission on AuditGovernment employees and board members who receive allowances that the law does not allow must pay them back even if they acted in good faith, and the officers who approved the payments are liable too if they ignored clear rules.
  46. 46A.M. RTJ-24-064Honorable Leo L. Intia, Presiding Judge, Branch 27, Regional Trial Court, Naga City, Camarines Sur v. Honorable Erwin Virgilio P. Ferrer, Executive Judge and Presiding Judge, Branch 20, Regional Trial Court, Naga City, Camarines SurA judge who keeps owning an insurance business, even one inherited and run by someone else, violates the Court's rule against judiciary officials working as insurance agents, but the other charges against him failed for lack of evidence.
  47. 47G.R. 257516Department of Finance­-Revenue Integrity Protection Service (Dof-Rips) v. Office of the Ombudsman, Fredericks. Leaño, and Jeremias C. Leaño,•Honest mistakes in a government employee's asset declaration, explained in good faith and never first pointed out for correction, are not enough to bring criminal charges.
  48. 48G.R. 206517Stablewood Philippines, Inc. v. Commissioner of Internal RevenueA corporation that carries its excess tax credits over to the next year's quarterly returns cannot later ask for a refund of the same credits, even if it never actually used them.
  49. 49G.R. 260801Manco Synthetic Inc.-Employee Labor Union-Organized Labor Union in Line Industries and Agriculture (Msi-Elu-Olalia) and Manila Cordage Company- Employees Labor Union-Organized Labor Union in Line Industries and Agriculture (Mcc-Elu-Olalia) v. Manila Cordage Company (Mcc) and Manco Synthetics, Inc. (Msi)Workers supplied by labor-only contractors are the employees of the company they actually work for, and a conflicting ruling in another labor case does not erase that finding.
  50. 50G.R. 269883In Re: Petition for the Allowance of Will Proved Outside of the Philippines and Administration of Estate Under Rule 77 of the Rules of Court, Allison Lynn AkanaRegional Trial Courts, not lower courts, hear petitions to have a will that was already proved abroad accepted in the Philippines, no matter how small the estate here.