February 2025

54decisions
  1. 01G.R. 242366Venustriano B. Chavez, Jr., Maria Carmita C. Certeza, Venerando B. Chavez, Cynthia C. Chan, Carolina C. Gerstmayr, Carina B. Chavez, Vernon B. Chavez, Vicenzo B. Chavez, Benjamin L. Palomique,** Jaime C. Palomique and Marian Celina C. Palomique, and Virgilio B. Chavez v. Spouses Joselito and Adriana GopezA receipt for earnest money that only lists documents the buyers still had to prepare is a contract to sell, not a contract of sale, because the sellers had not yet agreed to transfer ownership.
  2. 02G.R. 259051(Formerly Udk No. 17094) Edward C. Ciacho v. Spouses Adolfo T. de Guia* and Fe Alma v. de Guia ; and Bayani S. Cerilla , Substituted by His Heirs, Mary Bernadette G. Cerilla and Byatres Mari Cerilla-BoholA person who is only a front or accommodation party on paper cannot pass ownership to someone else, and a buyer or lender who ignores warning signs on the title is not protected as an innocent purchaser.
  3. 03G.R. 260831Republic of the Philippines v. Patricio B. BellaA landowner can have the standard warning note on a rebuilt land title removed once two years have passed with no claim, but a private adverse claim on the title cannot be cancelled without a hearing and notice to the people concerned.
  4. 04A.C. 13986(Formerly Cbd Case No. 12-3681) Vera Law (del Rosario Bagamasbad & Raboca) v. Atty. Editha R. HechanovaA lawyer who represents someone against her former client, and who secretly recruits colleagues while still a partner, can be suspended and fined, and a complainant cannot end a disbarment case just by withdrawing it.
  5. 05G.R. 258420Anthony Arnaldo Lo @ "White," and Alwin Borilla Nagallo @ "Tali Boy," v. People of the PhilippinesA trial court may approve a drug plea bargain that follows the Supreme Court's framework even when the prosecutor objects, if the objection is only that it differs from the Department of Justice's own guidelines; grounds the prosecution did not raise are considered given up.
  6. 06G.R. 256452People of the Philippines v. Willem Johannes PeekAn adult who forced sex on a 15-year-old he had paid for nude photos and a meeting is guilty of rape and of qualified trafficking in persons, because receiving and housing a child for sexual exploitation is trafficking even if she seemed to agree.
  7. 07A.M. MTJ-25-043(Formerly Jib Fpi No. 24-131-Mtj) Re: Joint Report Dated 23 October 2023 on Anonymous Complaint Against Hon. Josephine G. Bautista-Nichols, Presiding Judge, 4th Municipal Circuit Trial Court, Lumban-Kalayaan, Lumban, LagunaA trial judge who left 20 cases undecided past the deadline and held online hearings from home outside her region without permission and without her robe was fined, but the Court softened the penalty because of her good record, poor health and honesty.
  8. 08G.R. 234228Justo Q. Sinag, Alejandro E. Luistro, Raulito C. Pastorin, Ruben M. Sanchez, Ramiro R. Bautista, Eduardo C. del Rosario, Reynaldo R. de Los Reyes, Marcelino T. Macalalad, Mary Rose D. Pasno, Mario R. Secreto, Mercelita R. Rosales, Pedro Canobas, Ricardo P. Secreto, Rochelle S. de Joya, Myra a. Hernandez, Romeo R. de Los Reyes, Juan Matalog, Conrado R. Baque, Joselito S. Secreto, Hermogenes de Leon, Isabelo B. Secreto, Domingo Espiritu, Segundo T. Tividad, Azucena M. Digno, Benito Juvy P. Guinto, Flaviano v. Caibigan, Napoleon a. Sinag, Ermedio B. Gadian, Leon Caisip, Florencia C. Sanglay, Juding Canela, Rodelito Pastorin, Teresa C. Noche, Lydia P. Eladia, Leonida C. Matalog, Elsa Noay, Violeta M. de Los Reyes, Geronima G. Sagala, Annaleah S. Pastorin, Aida S. Valencia, Eleonora v. Salem, Casiana P. Relevo, Vilma C. Digno, Amor Quiroz, Pilar Patolot, Adora Salazar, Amelia Mendoza, Nenita v. Mendoza, Precia Navarroza, Trinidad v. Sinag, Luciano M. Patulot, Bernardo v. Mercado, Fermin M. de Leon, Eduardo R. Mendoza, and Ligaya C. Mercado Vs. the Honorable Sangguniang Panlalawigan Ng Batangas, the Honorable Office of the Provincial Assessor of Batangas, the Honorable Office of the Provincial Treasurer of Batangas, the Honorable Office of the Municipal Treasurer of Calaca, Batangas, and Barangay San Rafael, Calaca, BatangasA provincial board cannot bring back a barangay that a plebiscite-approved ordinance abolished simply by repealing that ordinance; reviving it is a creation that needs a plebiscite and the required population.
  9. 09G.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 AuditOrdinary employees who were cleared by the Commission on Audit and were never part of the later motion cannot be made to refund disallowed benefits, but the officers who approved the payments remain liable.
  10. 10G.R. 184661Filipino Society of Composers and Publishers v. Wolfpac Communications, IncLetting people hear a 20-second sample of a song on a website before buying the ringtone is communication to the public, not public performance, and in this case it was fair use, so no copyright infringement.
  11. 11Jib Fpi No. 24-131-Mtj Re: Joint Report Dated 23 October 2023 on Anonymous Complaint Against Hon. Josephine G. Bautista-Nichols, Presiding Judge, 4th Municipal Circuit Trial Court, Lumban-Kalayaan, Lumban, Laguna.A trial judge who sat on decided-ready cases for years and held online hearings from home without permission or a judicial robe was fined, but only lightly because of her good record and poor health.
  12. 12G.R. 276456Partido Federal Ng Pilipinas and Its National President Leandro B. Verceles, Jr., and on His Own Behalf as a Party Member v. Commission on Elections, Reynaldo S. Tamayo, Jr., Thompson C. Lantion and George S. BrionesThe Supreme Court will not overturn the Commission on Elections' factual findings on which faction leads a political party when those findings rest on substantial evidence and no grave abuse of discretion is shown.
  13. 13A.C. 10748Ramon Gil S. Macapagal v. Atty. Rico v. Domingo, Atty. Stanley C. Zambarrano, Atty. Joseph M. Dichoso, and Atty. Leopoldo D. Aquino IIILawyers who billed a client more than their agreement allowed, kept filing in court after being fired, and attacked a client's officer in their pleadings were rightly suspended or fined, and acquittals in related criminal cases do not erase their administrative liability.
  14. 14G.R. 238846Shell Philippines Exploration B.v. and Chevron Malampaya Llc v. Commission on Audit Pnoc Exploration Corporation Vs. Commission on Audit Thelma M. Cerdeña and Nora a. Tuazon Vs. Commission on AuditThe government's 60% share of the Malampaya gas project includes the income taxes of the oil and gas contractors, so the government cannot charge them an extra PHP 53 billion for those taxes.
  15. 15G.R. 250804Pmaj Alfred C. Arturo v. Pgen Oscar D. Albayalde and Pgen Ronald M. dela Rosa (Both in Their Former Capacities as the Chief of the Philippine National Police)A police officer given a suspension (anything short of demotion or dismissal) by the PNP Chief cannot appeal it to the Civil Service Commission; the decision is final, and the only way to challenge it is a petition for certiorari in the Court of Appeals.
  16. 16G.R. 272844Erwin Bonbon y Tia v. People of the PhilippinesA man who marries again while his first marriage still exists is guilty of bigamy, and he cannot escape by merely claiming, without proof, that the second marriage was a sham with no ceremony.
  17. 17G.R. 256648Peter Rico F. Rodriguez v. Gregorio Pastorfide, Ramona Matibag, Cecil L. Monteblanco, and Roland Agustin Angeles, in Their Purported Capacities as Members of the Board of Directors of Medical Plaza Makati Condominium CorporationA company that owns a condominium unit and is a member of the condominium corporation may have its authorized representative sit on the board, even if that person does not personally own a unit.
  18. 18A.C. 7632Spouses Ceferino and Azucena Palaganas v. Atty. Mario P. PanganibanA disbarment case is not the place to collect an unpaid debt, so a lawyer cleared of misconduct cannot be ordered to pay the complainants in that case.
  19. 19G.R. 272308Silvestre Corpuz, Substituted by Evelyn Corpuz v. Republic of the Philippines, Represented by the Regional Executive Director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region 1Land titles issued through free patents over what is actually a dried-up riverbed can be cancelled and the land returned to the State, because riverbeds stay public and the applicant's statements were misleading.
  20. 20G.R. 271304Unified Financing Corp. v. Spouses Juan and Estelita G. Tolentino, and Spouses James and Liwayway G. TolentinoA lender does not need to present the original of a signed promissory note when the borrower failed to deny, under oath and specifically, that he signed it, and an interest rate of 25% a year may be cut down by the court if it is unconscionable.
  21. 21G.R. 273562Santiago Dj. Sillano v. Jgc Philippines, Inc. and/or Virgilio Saavedra, Eric Tanjutco, and Lolita FallerAn employer may place an employee on preventive suspension of up to 30 days when his refusal to hand over disputed work threatens the employer's property, and claims for damages and benefits fail without proof raised at the right time.
  22. 22G.R. 274077Daniel Aquino y Espiritu v. People of the PhilippinesA man who stabbed his attacker while being pinned down, punched and strangled acted in self-defense and cannot be convicted of homicide.
  23. 23G.R. 271154People of the Philippines v. Francis Patricio y Torda @ "Kiko,"Stabbing a man 14 times while two others hold his arms is murder qualified by treachery, and a claim of self-defense fails when the victim's aggression has already stopped.
  24. 24G.R. 249858People of the Philippines v. Mark Paul IldefonsoA man convicted of selling and possessing shabu was acquitted because police did not properly handle the seized drugs, and he was also acquitted of the election gun ban charge for carrying a knife, because knives are not covered by the ban.
  25. 25A.C. 14203Mamerta C. Lizada, Benito Cuizon, Abelardo Cuizon, and Enrique Cuizon v. Atty. Demosthenes S. TecsonA lawyer who keeps half of his clients' court award to pay a "PR man" is disbarred and must return the money, even if the clients had agreed.
  26. 26G.R. 262846People of the Philippines v. Xxx262846When an accused appeals his conviction, the Supreme Court may raise a lower court's downgraded verdict back to the heavier crime, and the Court did so here by convicting a father of attempted rape instead of unjust vexation.
  27. 27G.R. 253395Narciso M. Magante (Dama), Melito B. Lupangco, Wadhumar Sabaddin, Rasul G. Baraocor, Casimiro L. Flores, Jr., Narciso H. Abueme, Eleno M. Telmo, Pablo L. Equio, Jr., (Newu) Abner P. Eleria and Vicente M. Babiera (Necu) v. Commission on Audit, National Power Corporation (Npc) and Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (Psalm) Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation Vs. Commission on Audit (COA), COA Chairman Hon. Miguel G. Aguinaldo, Hon. COA Commissioners Jose a. Fabia and Rolando C. Pondoc, Mssrs. Timoteo I. Judaya, Edgardo E. Nohay, Carlito P. Galivo, Enrique U. Betoy, Neil a. Avila, Zol D. Medina, and Mses. Ma. Socorro D. Marfa and Elizabeth D. AlorroThe Commission on Audit may compute the money owed to illegally dismissed National Power Corporation employees, but it cannot decide where the money comes from or award lawyers' and union fees that the Supreme Court never ordered.
  28. 28A.M. P-23-109(Formerly Oca Ipi No. 20-5043-P) Mercedes D. Felongco v. Gerald Eric F. Sanchez, Clerk III, Branch 108, Regional Trial Court, Cabuyao City, Laguna a.m. No. P-23-110 (Formerly Jib Fpi No. 21-022-P) Hon. Arnold Rimon Martinez, Presiding Judge, Branch 108, Regional Trial Court, Cabuyao City, Laguna Vs. Gerald Eric F. Sanchez, Clerk III, Branch 108, Regional Trial Court, Cabuyao City, LagunaA court clerk who takes money from litigants in exchange for helping their cases is guilty of gross misconduct and is dismissed from the service.
  29. 29A.M. RTJ-25-084Hon. Josefina B. Tallado v. Presiding Judge Winston S. Racoma, Branch 39, Regional Trial Court, Daet, Camarines Norte, and Presiding Judge Arniel a. Dating, Branch 41, Regional Trial Court, Daet, Camarines NorteComplaints that a judge made a wrong ruling must be taken to a higher court, not filed as an administrative case, and a request for a judicial audit used to pressure judges can itself lead to a contempt charge.
  30. 30G.R. 255706Rowena Manlutac Green v. Jeffery a. Green and the Republic of the PhilippinesA marriage can be declared void for psychological incapacity based on the totality of the evidence, including a psychiatric report built on interviews with the spouses and people close to them, unless there is reason to think those accounts were made up.
  31. 31G.R. 266641Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Script2010, IncA decision becomes final if the losing party does not file the proper motion or appeal on time, and a lawyer's mistake in choosing the wrong filing does not undo that, so the Court refused to review the tax case.
  32. 32G.R. 274922People of the Philippines v. the Honorable Sandiganbayan (First Division), Teddy C. Tumang and William B. ColisWhen the Ombudsman takes more than six years to finish a preliminary investigation without a good reason, the accused's right to speedy disposition of cases is violated and the criminal cases are dismissed for good.
  33. 33G.R. 277015Alvin Clark y. Teng v. Pearly y. Teng, Albert y. Teng, Paul T. Teng, and Cheryl Ann T. Hao, as Members of the Board of Directors of Mabuhay Educational Center, IncCourts will not stop a family corporation's board from ending its business or selling its property, because that is a management decision, and closing a business is not the same as dissolving the corporation.
  34. 34G.R. 274980Atty. Fred L. Bagbagen v. Anna May F. PerezA government official's salary can be garnished to pay a court judgment, because no law exempts it, and not only because it lost its public character once deposited in a bank.
  35. 35G.R. 263038Jan Michael B. Aguiling v. People of the PhilippinesA trial judge may approve a drug plea bargain that follows the Supreme Court's own framework even if the prosecutor objects only because it conflicts with the Department of Justice's internal guidelines.
  36. 36G.R. 263099Noel Untalan y Sarreal v. People of the PhilippinesA person cannot be convicted of illegal possession of a firearm when he never had any intention to possess it, such as when a police bodyguard left the gun in his house without his knowing.
  37. 37A.C. 13361Henry G. Lacida v. Atty. Rejoice S. SubejanoA lawyer who borrows money from a client that is a lending company, in an ordinary loan of the kind the client offers to the public, does not break the rule against borrowing from clients.
  38. 38G.R. 260983(Formerly Udk No. 17529) Klaus Peter Neunzig,* v. Hon. Court of Appeals, Twenty First Division, Mindanao Station and Rossana Balcom-­doringA foreigner who bought a house through a Filipino friend to get around the ban on foreign land ownership cannot be evicted by her through an ejectment case, because the arrangement and the lease contracts are void and neither side gets the court's help.
  39. 39G.R. 249239And 250286 Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Telstar Manufacturing Corporation Telstar Manufacturing Corporation Vs. Commissioner of Internal RevenueThe tax bureau lost its tax assessment against Telstar for 2009 because it let the company sign defective waivers that did not extend its deadline, and because its demand letter never actually demanded payment.
  40. 40G.R. 276682Renato Guevarra y Robles v. Honorable Court of Appeals and People of the PhilippinesA radio host who runs for office must stop his media work during the campaign, and the Court upheld the conviction of a candidate who kept hosting a program and attacked an opponent on air.
  41. 41G.R. 235870Adriano a. Arcelo v. People of the Philippines Rosa Anna Duavit-Santiago,* Vs. People of the Philippines Dr. Roberto T. Borromeo Vs. People of the PhilippinesThe Supreme Court held that the education trust fund FAPE is a government instrumentality whose money is public funds, so its president was rightly convicted for lending himself that money, while two officers who processed the loans in good faith were acquitted.
  42. 42G.R. 248699People of the Philippines v. Jeorge Ejercito Estregan, Arlyn Lazaro-Torres, Terryl Gamit-Talabong, Kalahi U. Rabago, Erwin P. Sacluti, Gener C. Dimaranan, and Marilyn M. BruelA mayor who gives a government contract to a private company without public bidding, even though the company was not legally allowed to do that kind of business, can be convicted of graft, but councilors who merely approved a general ordinance and ratified the contract were acquitted.
  43. 43G.R. 267108Conrado Nuñez, Jr., Clarita Nuñez-Abraham, Celia Nuñez-Nuñez, Heirs of Eduveges Nuñez-Alinea, as Represented by Conrado Nuñez, Jr., and Heirs of Helen Nuñez­-Quiozon, Represented by Robert Conrad Nuñez Quiozon and Conrado Nuñez, Jr. v. Spouses Oscar and Norma Nuñez, the City Assessor of Quezon City, and the Register of Deeds of Quezon CitySomeone who says a registered title in another person's name should be cancelled must prove their own ownership, and a one-page photocopy of an old title with no explanation for the missing original is not enough.
  44. 44A.C. 13435(Formerly Cbd Case No. 18-5815) Denis Guy Martin v. Atty. Leticia E. AlaA lawyer who repeatedly urges police to shoot a person without legal basis, and who uses abusive language in her pleadings, can be suspended from the practice of law, even if she acted out of fear or distress.
  45. 45G.R. 268979Jeffrey Rosacay Empuerto and Leonido and Rosalyn Empuerto v. Sheena Olpoc CabrillosA court cannot decide who gets custody of a child just because the parents signed an agreement; it must let the other side answer and hold a proper trial focused on the child's best interests.
  46. 46G.R. 272006Republic of the Philippines v. Linney Jean L. Tangarorang and Ramer R. TangarorangA child who was legitimated by her parents' later marriage stays legitimate even if that marriage is declared void because of one spouse's psychological incapacity.
  47. 47G.R. 257747People of the Philippines v. Amalia Soriano y Realingo a.k.a. "Amy"Not using an evidence bag for seized drugs does not by itself free the accused, because what matters is how the evidence was handled and passed from one officer to the next.
  48. 48G.R. 253218Department of Science and Technology (Dost) Officials and Personnel Represented by Sec. Fortunato de La Peña, in His Capacity as Secretary v. Commission on AuditA government department head cannot challenge a Commission on Audit disallowance that has long become final when only the 103 employees held liable had the right to challenge it, and he filed no proof that he was authorized to act for them.
  49. 49G.R. 263341People of the Philippines v. Alfredo Acdang y Balangen and Allan Acdang y Balangen Allan Acdang y BalangenEven when a man is caught in the act of tending marijuana plants, he must be acquitted if the police fail to follow the required steps for handling the seized plants without a good, proven reason.
  50. 50G.R. 266016The Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, Inc. and Benjamin E. Antonio, III v. Department of Finance, Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Revenue District Office No. 19 of Subic Bay Freeport Zone, and Subic Bay Metropolitan AuthorityRules and BIR circulars cannot take away from freeport businesses a VAT zero-rating on local purchases that the CREATE Act gives to all registered business enterprises, not just exporters.
  51. 51G.R. 265758People of the Philippines v. Ybo LastimosaA photocopy of a document, such as a death certificate, can now be used in court like the original unless someone raises a real doubt about the original or shows that using the copy would be unfair.
  52. 52G.R. 264724Jhopet Toralde y Hernandez,* v. People of the PhilippinesA 14-year-old girl who gave in to an older boyfriend's threat to spread a video of them kissing did not consent to sex, so he is guilty of rape even though they were sweethearts.
  53. 53G.R. 248583Robert Plan y Beloncio and Mark Oliver D. Enolva v. People of the PhilippinesTwo men accused of illegal gambling were acquitted because the police could not give the details of the bets they claimed to have seen, so there was reasonable doubt.
  54. 54G.R. 232323Jessica Lucila G. Reyes v. the Honorable Sandiganbayan Third Division and the People of the Philippines Jessica Lucila G. Reyes Vs. the Honorable Sandiganbayan Third Division and the People of the PhilippinesOnce the Sandiganbayan acquitted Jessica Lucila G. Reyes of plunder, the Supreme Court could no longer rule on her earlier petitions, because an acquittal is final and she cannot be tried again for the same crime.