Decisions in Feb 2025
53
Decisions
01
G.R. No. 242366 VENUSTRIANO 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, PETITIONERS, VS. SPOUSES JOSELITO AND ADRIANA GOPEZ, RESPONDENTS. February 26, 2025
Takeaway
The Supreme Court ruled that the agreement between the property sellers (Chavez group) and buyers (Spouses Gopez) was a Contract to Sell, not a Contract of Sale, so the sellers had the right to cancel when the buyers failed to fulfill their conditions.
02
G.R. No. 259051 (Formerly UDK No. 17094) EDWARD C. CIACHO, PETITIONER, VS. SPOUSES ADOLFO T. DE GUIA* AND FE ALMA V. DE GUIA [DECEASED]; AND BAYANI S. CERILLA [DECEASED], SUBSTITUTED BY HIS HEIRS, MARY BERNADETTE G. CERILLA AND BYATRES MARI CERILLA-BOHOL, RESPONDENTS. February 26, 2025
Takeaway
A person cannot sell property they don't truly own, even if their name is on the title—the sale is void and the real owner keeps the property.
03
G.R. No. 260831 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, PETITIONER, VS. PATRICIO B. BELLA, RESPONDENT. February 26, 2025
Takeaway
A property owner can remove an old protective mark on a title after 2 years with no claims, but must still give proper notice to known heirs if canceling a dispute claim.
04
A.C. No. 13986 (Formerly CBD Case No. 12-3681) VERA LAW (DEL ROSARIO BAGAMASBAD & RABOCA), COMPLAINANT, VS. ATTY. EDITHA R. HECHANOVA, RESPONDENT. February 26, 2025
Takeaway
A lawyer who represents clients with opposing interests and secretly recruits colleagues to join a competing firm while still a partner violates professional ethics and can be suspended from practicing law.
05
G.R. No. 258420 ANTHONY ARNALDO LO @ "WHITE," AND ALWIN BORILLA NAGALLO @ "TALI BOY," PETITIONERS, VS. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENT. February 26, 2025
06
G.R. No. 256452 PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. WILLEM JOHANNES PEEK, ACCUSED-APPELLANT. February 25, 2025
07
A.M. No. 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, LAGUNA. February 25, 2025
08
G.R. No. 234228 JUSTO 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, PETITIONERS, 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, BATANGAS, RESPONDENTS. February 25, 2025
09
G.R. No. 263014 ENGR. 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, PETITIONERS, VS. COMMISSION ON AUDIT, RESPONDENT. February 25, 2025
10
G.R. No. 184661 FILIPINO SOCIETY OF COMPOSERS AND PUBLISHERS, PETITIONER, VS. WOLFPAC COMMUNICATIONS, INC., RESPONDENT. February 25, 2025
11
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, LAGUNA. February 25, 2025
12
G.R. No. 276456 PARTIDO FEDERAL NG PILIPINAS AND ITS NATIONAL PRESIDENT LEANDRO B. VERCELES, JR., AND ON HIS OWN BEHALF AS A PARTY MEMBER, PETITIONERS, VS. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, REYNALDO S. TAMAYO, JR., THOMPSON C. LANTION AND GEORGE S. BRIONES, RESPONDENTS. February 25, 2025
13
A.C. No. 10748 RAMON GIL S. MACAPAGAL, COMPLAINANT, VS. ATTY. RICO V. DOMINGO, ATTY. STANLEY C. ZAMBARRANO, ATTY. JOSEPH M. DICHOSO, AND ATTY. LEOPOLDO D. AQUINO III, RESPONDENTS. February 25, 2025
14
G.R. No. 238846 SHELL PHILIPPINES EXPLORATION B.V. AND CHEVRON MALAMPAYA LLC, PETITIONERS, VS. COMMISSION ON AUDIT, RESPONDENT. [G.R. No. 238852] PNOC EXPLORATION CORPORATION, PETITIONER, VS. COMMISSION ON AUDIT, RESPONDENT. [G.R. No. 238862] THELMA M. CERDEÑA AND NORA A. TUAZON, PETITIONERS, VS. COMMISSION ON AUDIT, RESPONDENT. February 25, 2025
15
G.R. No. 250804 PMAJ ALFRED C. ARTURO, PETITIONER, VS. PGEN OSCAR D. ALBAYALDE AND PGEN RONALD M. DELA ROSA (BOTH IN THEIR FORMER CAPACITIES AS THE CHIEF OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE), RESPONDENTS. February 25, 2025
16
G.R. No. 272844 ERWIN BONBON Y TIA, PETITIONER, VS. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENT. February 24, 2025
17
G.R. No. 256648 PETER RICO F. RODRIGUEZ, PETITIONER, VS. 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 CORPORATION, RESPONDENTS. February 24, 2025
18
A.C. No. 7632 [Formerly CBD Case No. 05-1428] SPOUSES CEFERINO AND AZUCENA PALAGANAS, COMPLAINANTS, VS. ATTY. MARIO P. PANGANIBAN, RESPONDENT. February 24, 2025
19
G.R. No. 272308 SILVESTRE CORPUZ, SUBSTITUTED BY EVELYN CORPUZ, PETITIONER, VS. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY THE REGIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES, REGION 1, RESPONDENT. February 24, 2025
20
G.R. No. 271304 UNIFIED FINANCING CORP., PETITIONER, VS. SPOUSES JUAN AND ESTELITA G. TOLENTINO, AND SPOUSES JAMES AND LIWAYWAY G. TOLENTINO, RESPONDENTS. February 24, 2025
21
G.R. No. 273562 SANTIAGO DJ. SILLANO, PETITIONER, VS. JGC PHILIPPINES, INC. AND/OR VIRGILIO SAAVEDRA, ERIC TANJUTCO, AND LOLITA FALLER, RESPONDENTS. February 24, 2025
22
G.R. No. 274077 DANIEL AQUINO Y ESPIRITU, PETITIONER, VS. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENT. February 24, 2025
23
G.R. No. 271154 PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. FRANCIS PATRICIO Y TORDA @ "KIKO," ACCUSED-APPELLANT. February 24, 2025
24
G.R. No. 249858 PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. MARK PAUL ILDEFONSO, ACCUSED-APPELLANT. February 19, 2025
Takeaway
Mark Paul Ildefonso was acquitted of all charges because the police failed to follow proper procedures when handling the drugs seized from him, and because knives are not legally considered 'deadly weapons' under election laws.
25
A.C. No. 14203 MAMERTA C. LIZADA, BENITO CUIZON, ABELARDO CUIZON, AND ENRIQUE CUIZON, COMPLAINANTS, VS. ATTY. DEMOSTHENES S. TECSON, RESPONDENT. February 18, 2025
26
G.R. No. 262846 PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. XXX262846,* ACCUSED-APPELLANT. February 18, 2025
27
G.R. No. 253395 NARCISO 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), PETITIONERS, VS. COMMISSION ON AUDIT, NATIONAL POWER CORPORATION (NPC) AND POWER SECTOR ASSETS AND LIABILITIES MANAGEMENT CORPORATION (PSALM), RESPONDENTS. [G.R. No. 253967] POWER SECTOR ASSETS AND LIABILITIES MANAGEMENT CORPORATION, PETITIONER 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. ALORRO, RESPONDENTS. February 18, 2025
28
A.M. No. P-23-109 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 20-5043-P) MERCEDES D. FELONGCO, COMPLAINANT, VS. GERALD ERIC F. SANCHEZ, CLERK III, BRANCH 108, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, CABUYAO CITY, LAGUNA, RESPONDENT. 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, PETITIONER, VS. GERALD ERIC F. SANCHEZ, CLERK III, BRANCH 108, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, CABUYAO CITY, LAGUNA RESPONDENT. February 18, 2025
29
A.M. No. RTJ-25-084 [Formerly Complainant, JIB FPI No. 21-086-RTJ] HON. JOSEFINA B. TALLADO, COMPLAINANT, VS. 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 NORTE, RESPONDENTS. February 18, 2025
30
G.R. No. 255706 ROWENA MANLUTAC GREEN, PETITIONER, VS. JEFFERY A. GREEN AND THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENTS. February 17, 2025
31
G.R. No. 266641 COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, PETITIONER, VS. SCRIPT2010, INC., RESPONDENT. February 17, 2025
32
G.R. No. 274922 PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PETITIONER, VS. THE HONORABLE SANDIGANBAYAN (FIRST DIVISION), TEDDY C. TUMANG AND WILLIAM B. COLIS, RESPONDENTS. February 17, 2025
33
G.R. No. 277015 ALVIN CLARK Y. TENG, PETITIONER, VS. 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, INC., RESPONDENTS. February 17, 2025
34
G.R. No. 274980 ATTY. FRED L. BAGBAGEN, PETITIONER, VS. ANNA MAY F. PEREZ, RESPONDENT. February 17, 2025
35
G.R. No. 263038 JAN MICHAEL B. AGUILING, PETITIONER, VS. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENT. February 17, 2025
36
G.R. No. 263099 NOEL UNTALAN Y SARREAL, PETITIONER, VS. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENT. February 17, 2025
37
A.C. No. 13361 [Formerly CBD Case No. 17-5314] HENRY G. LACIDA, COMPLAINANT, VS. ATTY. REJOICE S. SUBEJANO, RESPONDENT. February 12, 2025
38
G.R. No. 260983 (Formerly UDK No. 17529) KLAUS PETER NEUNZIG,* PETITIONER, VS. HON. COURT OF APPEALS, TWENTY FIRST DIVISION, MINDANAO STATION AND ROSSANA BALCOM-DORING, RESPONDENTS. February 10, 2025
39
G.R. Nos. 249239 and 250286 COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, PETITIONER VS. TELSTAR MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, RESPONDENT. [G.R. Nos. 249241-42] TELSTAR MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, PETITIONER, VS. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, RESPONDENT. February 10, 2025
40
G.R. No. 276682 RENATO GUEVARRA Y ROBLES, PETITIONER, VS. HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS AND PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENTS. February 10, 2025
41
G.R. No. 235870 ADRIANO A. ARCELO, PETITIONER, VS. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENT. [G.R. No. 235877] ROSA ANNA DUAVIT-SANTIAGO,* PETITIONER, VS. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENT. [G.R. Nos. 235922-27] DR. ROBERTO T. BORROMEO, PETITIONER, VS. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENT. February 05, 2025
42
G.R. No. 248699 PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. JEORGE EJERCITO ESTREGAN, ARLYN LAZARO-TORRES, TERRYL GAMIT-TALABONG, KALAHI U. RABAGO, ERWIN P. SACLUTI, GENER C. DIMARANAN, AND MARILYN M. BRUEL, ACCUSED-APPELLANTS. February 05, 2025
43
G.R. No. 267108 CONRADO 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., PETITIONERS, VS. SPOUSES OSCAR AND NORMA NUÑEZ, THE CITY ASSESSOR OF QUEZON CITY, AND THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OF QUEZON CITY, RESPONDENTS. February 05, 2025
44
A.C. No. 13435 (Formerly CBD Case No. 18-5815) DENIS GUY MARTIN, COMPLAINANT, VS. ATTY. LETICIA E. ALA, RESPONDENT. February 05, 2025
45
G.R. No. 268979 JEFFREY ROSACAY EMPUERTO AND LEONIDO AND ROSALYN EMPUERTO, PETITIONERS, VS. SHEENA OLPOC CABRILLOS, RESPONDENT. February 05, 2025
46
G.R. No. 272006 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, PETITIONER, VS. LINNEY JEAN L. TANGARORANG AND RAMER R. TANGARORANG, RESPONDENTS. February 05, 2025
47
G.R. No. 257747 PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. AMALIA SORIANO Y REALINGO A.K.A. "AMY", ACCUSED-APPELLANT. February 05, 2025
48
G.R. No. 253218 DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (DOST) OFFICIALS AND PERSONNEL REPRESENTED BY SEC. FORTUNATO DE LA PEÑA, IN HIS CAPACITY AS SECRETARY, PETITIONERS, VS. COMMISSION ON AUDIT, RESPONDENT. February 04, 2025
49
G.R. No. 263341 PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. ALFREDO ACDANG Y BALANGEN AND ALLAN ACDANG Y BALANGEN, ACCUSED, ALLAN ACDANG Y BALANGEN,** ACCUSED-APPELLANT. February 04, 2025
50
G.R. No. 266016 THE SUBIC BAY FREEPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, INC. AND BENJAMIN E. ANTONIO, III, PETITIONERS, VS. 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 AUTHORITY, RESPONDENTS. February 04, 2025
Takeaway
The Supreme Court ruled that tax rules excluding domestic market enterprises (DMEs) from VAT zero-rating benefits are illegal and must be removed.
51
G.R. No. 265758 PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. YBO LASTIMOSA, ACCUSED-APPELLANT. February 03, 2025
52
G.R. No. 264724 JHOPET TORALDE Y HERNANDEZ,* PETITIONER, VS. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENT. February 03, 2025
53
G.R. No. 248583 ROBERT PLAN Y BELONCIO AND MARK OLIVER D. ENOLVA, PETITIONERS, VS. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENT. February 03, 2025
Takeaway
Two men accused of illegal gambling were acquitted because police officers could not prove exactly what money they bet, even though they were caught near a gambling game.