July 2025

50decisions
  1. 01G.R. 275125Civil Service Commission v. Sheila v. SolivaA public school teacher who was already penalized for her relationship with a man cannot be charged again for the same continuing relationship, because the earlier final decisions bar a new case (res judicata).
  2. 02G.R. 256093The Compulsory Heirs of the Late Ben Sta. Rita, Namely: Aurora Sta. Rita-­miranda, Jose B. Sta. Rita, Mario B. Sta. Rita, Alfredo B. Sta. Rita, and Estate, as Represented by Its Estate Administrator, Alfred R. Sta. Rita v. the Heirs of Eladia Manalo, Namely: Salvador M. Cruz, Alejandra Cruz-­recometa, Zenaida Cruz-­roxas, Arturo M. Cruz, Teresita Cruz-Delos Santos, Aida M. Cruz, Arlene Liwanag-Mendoza, and Gabriel C. Cruz Rodel Barcelona Properties, Inc.-When a court dismisses a case because the plaintiff failed to pursue it, that dismissal counts as a decision on the merits, so the plaintiff cannot simply file the same case again.
  3. 03G.R. 275373People of the Philippines v. Xxx275373,* Yyy275373, and Zzz275373Three people who lured young women with a false promise of waitress jobs and then forced them into sexual work at a bar to pay off invented debts were convicted of qualified trafficking in persons and sentenced to life imprisonment.
  4. 04G.R. 246783-84People of the Philippines v. Herminio Casal Reyes, Municipal Mayor, Ma. Marley C. Daday, Leo Bausing Gomez, Arturo Elumba Estil,* Joel Dingle Plaza, Romeo O. Magadan (All) Member, Sangguniang Bayan, Virgilio a. Julao, Member, Sangguniang Bayan/acting Presiding Officer, Filomeno Caseñas Salise,** Municipal Treasurer, (All of) Loreto, Agusan del Sur; Herminio Casal Reyes, Ma. Marley C. Daday, Leo Bausing Gomez, Joel Dingle Plaza, Romeo O. Magadan, and Virgilio a. JulaoLocal officials who relied on a state auditor's verbal advice did not act in evident bad faith, but a mayor who cannot show where public money went is presumed to have misused it, even if the paper said it was for a public purpose.
  5. 05G.R. 275832International School Manila v. Ireland Carreon CabridoAn employer that offers an early retirement package cannot later call it mere financial aid to avoid paying proper retirement pay, even to a part-time, fixed-term worker.
  6. 06A.C. 7941Macario v. Mina Vs. Attys. Arnulfo H. Manigos, Florencio v. Anchuvas, and Roberto B. ArcaA lawyer who notarizes a document without the signer present breaks the notarial rules, even if he only wanted to help a client meet a deadline.
  7. 07G.R. 273720Eastwest Rural Bank v. Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 1, Represented by Pat. Rodalyn v. BaawaA bank can be ordered by a court to give police the name and contact details of an account holder in a phishing investigation, because bank secrecy protects the money in a deposit and not the depositor's basic identity.
  8. 08G.R. 259589(Formerly Udk-16849) Charlon Fernando y Esma v. People of the PhilippinesWhen the only eyewitness against a convicted man later takes back his testimony and other circumstances cast doubt on it, the Court may order a new trial.
  9. 09A.C. 9272Vittorio C. Romero v. Atty. Leo C. RomeroA lawyer who tried to bribe a private prosecutor, insulted and threatened his gay brother, and abused his own elderly mother was disbarred, because a lawyer answers for private conduct too.
  10. 10A.C. 9717Noemi M. Donato v. Atty. Elmer a. dela RosaA new disbarment complaint against a lawyer who was already disbarred for the same land deal was dismissed because the same issues had already been decided, though his disbarment continues.
  11. 11A.C. 10317Ma. Sarita G. Guerrero v. Atty. Michelle v. Gonzaga and Atty. Remus G. GulmaticoA complainant who did not appeal an executive judge's ruling on notaries' mistakes could not file the same complaint again with the Supreme Court, which dismissed the case but also changed how complaints against notaries are handled from now on.
  12. 12G.R. 265058People of the Philippines v. Mark Rey P. PañosaA killing proven by strong circumstantial evidence is only homicide, not murder, when the prosecution fails to prove that the killer deliberately used treachery or superior strength.
  13. 13G.R. 255881Ma. Aileen D. Moncayo v. Republic of the Philippines and Edwin P. MoncayoA court may still hear a petition to declare a marriage void even if the petitioner served copies on the Solicitor General and prosecutor late, because dismissal for that lapse is optional, not automatic.
  14. 14G.R. 245269Saudi Arabian Airlines v. Maria Lourdes D. Castells and Shalimar Centi-MandanasTwo flight attendants who signed resignation letters thanking their employer, and who accepted their separation pay, were found to have resigned voluntarily and were not illegally dismissed.
  15. 15G.R. 259916Eduardo Ilayat y Bueno v. People of the PhilippinesHaving a drink before a fight does not lessen a killer's punishment unless there is real proof he was drunk, and a man who stabs someone he provoked cannot claim self-defense.
  16. 16G.R. 278353Sara Z. Duterte, in Her Capacity as the Vice President of the Philippines v. House of Representatives, Represented by Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, in His Capacity as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Reginaldo S. Velasco, in His Capacity as the Secretary-General of the House of Representatives, the Senate of the Philippines, Represented by Francis G. Escudero, in His Capacity as the President of the Senate Atty. Israelito P. Torreon, Atty. Martin Delgra III, Atty. James T. Reserva, Atty. Hillary Olga M. Reserv a, J. Melchor Quitain, Jr., Luna Maria Dominique S. Acosta, Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique N. Advincula, Al Ryan S. Alejandre, Dante L. Apostol, Sr., Conrado C. Baluran, Jessica M. Bonguyan, Louie John J. Bonguyan, Pilar C. Braga, Jonard C. Dayap, Edgar P. Ibuyan, Jr., Richlyn N. Justol-Baguilod, Myrna G. Dalodo-Ortiz, Diosdado Angelo Junior R. Mahipus, Bonz Andre a. Militar, Alberto T. Ungab, Trisha Ann J. Villafuerte, Lorenzo Benjamin D. Villafuerte, Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III, Darwin G. Salcedo, Rodolfo Mande, Kristine May John Abdul Mercado, Lord Oliver Raymund Monfero Cristobal, and Lord Byron Monfero Cristobal Vs. House of Representatives, Represented by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and Senate of the Philippines, Represented by Senate President Francis Joseph G. EscuderoThe Supreme Court declared the fourth impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte unconstitutional and void, because it was barred by the one-year rule and was passed without giving her a chance to be heard.
  17. 17G.R. 256634Forest Hills Golf and Country Club, Inc. v. Securities and Exchange Commission - Company Registration and Monitoring DepartmentA golf and country club that issues shares but is forbidden by its own Articles of Incorporation from paying dividends is a non-stock corporation, so it may limit who can vote.
  18. 18G.R. 263904Hon. Benjamin B. Magalong, as Mayor of Baguio City and in Lieu of Then Mayors Mauricio G. Domogan and Reinaldo a. Bautista, Jr.; Antonio L. Tabin, as City Accountant; and, Various Officials and Employees of Baguio City v. Commission on Audit; the Director, Commission on Audit, Cordillera Administrative Region; and, the Auditor'S Office, Baguio CityThe Supreme Court agreed that Baguio City's back payment of cost of living allowance (COLA) for 1990 to 1999 was illegal, but it excused the officials and employees from returning the money because of undue prejudice to them.
  19. 19G.R. 264881Coogee International Inc. v. Dave B. Maningo, Justino E. Perez, Antonino G. Quirante, Christopher Bryan R. Marte, Mike G. Quirante, and Mark Kemuel B. HernandezA company that ends project workers' jobs on the claim that the project is finished must prove that the specific work they were hired for was really completed, or it will be liable for illegal dismissal.
  20. 20G.R. 258705Arnold S.i. Alfonso v. Michelle Pamintuan Alfonso and Republic of the PhilippinesThe Supreme Court declared a marriage void because the wife's long-standing personality problems made her unable to carry out the basic duties of marriage.
  21. 21G.R. 261877Phinma Property Holdings Corporation v. Joshua C. RiveraA condominium buyer can get back the equity and amortizations already paid when the developer fails to finish the project on time, but not extra costs such as move-in fees and the cost of unit improvements.
  22. 22A.C. 14228Maria Theresa E. Imperial Present: v. Atty. Pastor Marcelo M. Reyes, JrA disbarment complaint over a lawyer's extramarital affair will not prosper when it is filed by the willing lover, who is neither the wronged spouse nor a misled partner.
  23. 23G.R. 264003People of the Philippines v. Artemio Que ChanA mayor who asked a couple whether they took each other as husband and wife and declared them married did solemnize the marriage, so he did not falsify the marriage certificate even though his vice mayor later gave the couple an informal wedding talk.
  24. 24G.R. 257662People of the Philippines v. Xxx257662The Supreme Court upheld a rape conviction based on the credible testimony of a young girl, and said the crime should simply be called Rape, never "Simple Rape."
  25. 25G.R. 269730Roger L. Gamon v. People of the PhilippinesA man was convicted of murdering a five-year-old girl in his care even though no one saw the killing, because the proven circumstances, including her earlier injuries and the secret burial, pointed only to him and his companion.
  26. 26G.R. 267084Santos Ventura Hocorma Foundation, Inc. v. Mabalacat Institute, IncA school that relied on unnotarized papers showing a landowner's gift of five hectares could not get its title quieted, because a gift of land is void unless made in a public document.
  27. 27A.C. 14000Nanette S. Tuazon v. Atty. Daryl dela* CruzA lawyer who keeps a client's bail money for personal use, lies about paying it, and borrows more money from the client will be suspended from practice.
  28. 28A.M. P-24-203In Re: Questionable and Unjustified Entries in the Daily Time Records of Isaac Pablo P. Danao, Court Interpreter III, Branch 3, Regional Trial Court, Tuguegarao City, CagayanA court employee who falsifies his time records is guilty of serious dishonesty, and resigning does not let him escape punishment.
  29. 29G.R. 265395Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III and Emmanuel D. Pacquiao, Sr. v. Commission on Elections, Alfonso G. Cusi, and Melvin a. MatibagThe Supreme Court upheld the COMELEC's recognition of the Cusi-led group as the true officers of PDP Laban, because the party's own constitution was followed by that group and not by the Pimentel-led group.
  30. 30G.R. 258968Danilo Solina Zausa v. People of the PhilippinesA barangay chairman who borrows money from a private person by falsely saying it is for barangay expenses, when he means to use it himself, is guilty of graft under Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
  31. 31B.M. 4520In Re: Petition to Join the Mass Oath-Taking and Roll-Signing Ceremonies, Angeli Newin C. AgraamA Bar passer who cannot yet get a government marriage certificate, because her husband's foreign divorce has not been recognized in the Philippines, may still take the Lawyer's Oath and sign the Roll of Attorneys.
  32. 32A.C. 14232Apolinario C. Mariano v. Atty. Russel a. BarrogaA lawyer who neglects his client's criminal case, causing the appeal to be dismissed, and then ignores the Integrated Bar of the Philippines' orders can be disbarred.
  33. 33A.M. P-25-244(Formerly Jib Fpi No. 21-071-P) Antolyn Dones Gonzales v. Dwight Aldwin S. Geronimo, Sheriff IV, Branch 121, Regional Trial Court, Imus City, CaviteA court sheriff who accepts money from a person connected to a pending case, whatever the reason given, commits grave misconduct and can be dismissed from the service.
  34. 34A.M. P-21-028Shirley K. Tiwaken v. Atty. Jurgens Sj. Milan, Clerk of Court v, Regional Trial Court, La Trinidad, BenguetA court clerk who took a litigant's land titles, demanded money to influence her case, and released the titles without authority was dismissed from the service and disbarred.
  35. 35G.R. 277608Edgar R. Erice v. Commission on Elections and Raymond D.c. SalipotThe Commission on Elections (COMELEC) cannot disqualify a candidate for spreading false election information, because that is an election offense that must be tried in court, not a ground for disqualification.
  36. 36G.R. 278101Ernesto S. Abines, Jr., Atty. Glenn Chong, Mark Anthony Lopez, Mary Jean Q. Reyes, Dr. Richard T. Mata, Mary Catherine Diaz Binag, Ethel Pineda Garcia, Krizette Laureta Chu, Jonathan a. Morales, Lorraine Marie Badoy-Partosa, Rose Beatrix L. Cruz-Angeles, Aeron S. Peña, Nelson U. Guzmanos, Elizabeth Joie Cruz, Suzanne Batalla, Kester John Tan, George Ahmed G. Paglinawan v. House of Representatives Represented by Its Speaker Representative Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Representative Robert Ace S. Barbers and the House of Representatives Joint Committee Consisting of the Committees on Public Order and Safety Technology, and Public Information Represented by Their Chairmen, Representatives Dan S. Fernandez, Tobias M. Tiangco, and Jose S. Aquino IIThe Supreme Court refused to stop the House of Representatives from inviting online critics to a legislative inquiry on fake news, because an invitation to a hearing does not by itself violate free speech and the critics showed no real injury.
  37. 37A.C. 10770Rossinie Ferrer-Spjuth and Folke Harry Spjuth v. Atty. Joselito C. FrialA lawyer who lets clients' cases die by not filing appeals, quits a case without the client's written consent, and ignores a staff member's illegal acts can be disbarred, and a delay in filing the complaint does not save him.
  38. 38G.R. 277177Subair Guinthum Mustapha v. Commission on ElectionsThe Commission on Elections cannot cancel someone's candidacy as a nuisance candidate on vague, unproven claims or because the person is unpopular or got few votes before.
  39. 39G.R. 253981Marie Anne Grace Chua-Mascariñas,* v. Martin S. Mascariñas,* Jr. and the Republic of the PhilippinesA marriage can be declared void for psychological incapacity even when the only expert report comes from the wife's side, as long as the spouse's grave, lasting and pre-existing inability to meet marital duties is shown by clear and convincing evidence.
  40. 40A.M. RTJ-24-073(Formerly Jib Fpi No. 21-028-Rtj) Hon. Carmel Gil Grado, Presiding Judge, Branch 56, Regional Trial Court , Compostela, Davao de Oro v. Hon. Arlene Lirag-Palabrica, Presiding Judge, Branch 31, RTC, Tagum City, Davao del NorteA judge who scolded a fellow judge in open court, while she was the complainant in a violence-against-women case, and made sexist remarks was fined PHP 101,000.00 for misconduct.
  41. 41G.R. 248685Spouses Rosemary* D. Gabatan and Alexander N. Gabatan v. Dominga B. AhlgrenWhether neighbors can use a right-of-way annotated on a title depends on whether the people it was granted to owned neighboring land that benefits from it, so the case goes back to the Court of Appeals to find out.
  42. 42G.R. 265921Subic Bay Yacht Club, Inc. v. Gomeco Metal CorporationTwo companies that dealt with a supplier through the same agent are not automatically each liable for the whole debt; liability is shared only in parts unless the contract or law clearly says each is liable for everything.
  43. 43G.R. 257098People of the Philippines v. Marlon MalacamanThe Supreme Court acquitted a man of robbery with homicide because the way witnesses picked him out from police photos was unreliable and suggestive, leaving reasonable doubt that he was the culprit.
  44. 44G.R. 265567Philippine Fisheries Development Authority v. Mario Daniel Eduardo G. PascualA person who takes over a lease and agrees to perform all of the previous tenant's obligations, with the landlord's consent, becomes liable for the old tenant's unpaid rent as well.
  45. 45G.R. 274863And 275057-59 People of the Philippines v. Dante Manzano de GuzmanA city councilor who bought tents, raincoats, boots, food and sports supplies with public money and never distributed them to the barangays was convicted of graft for gross inexcusable negligence.
  46. 46A.M. 23-04-15-SCRe: Post in Social Media Page, "Abogadong Pinoy," Relative to an Alleged Untoward Behavior and Actuations of a Certain Marikina "Judge" Towards a Public Attorney'S Office Lawyer Involving a Parking IncidentA judge who publicly scolded and insulted a young government lawyer over a parking incident was not penalised, only admonished and warned, because he was trying to keep the courthouse ramp clear and it was his first offense.
  47. 47A.M. P-25-226Ferdinand Raymund C. Bacolot v. Atty. Jessibel M. Pablo­-Driessen, Clerk of Court Vi, Office of the Clerk of Court (Occ); Vicente B. Angcon, Jr., Sheriff IV, Branch 19; Jimelito O. Babor, Sheriff IV, Occ; and Dax S. Suarin, Clerk III, Occ, All of the Regional Trial Court (RTC), Pagadian City, Zamboanga del SurCourt staff who let a bank's foreclosure go ahead without the filing fees being paid were penalized, with the two sheriffs who bypassed the rules found guilty of gross misconduct.
  48. 48G.R. 275477People of the Philippines v. Monica Labandelo y Elayda a.k.a. "Monica Corum,"A woman who arranged for a 13-year-old girl to have paid sex with a customer was convicted of qualified trafficking in persons and child abuse, and the Supreme Court upheld the child's testimony over her denial.
  49. 49A.M. P-25-246(Formerly Jib Fpi No. 23-276-P) Office of the Court Administrator v. Ranulfo R. Balano, Former Clerk of Court II, Municipal Trial Court, Tanauan, Leyte, and Maria Judith S. Dumilon, Former Court Stenographer I and Officer-in-Charge, Municipal Trial Court, Tanauan, LeyteCourt employees who keep court money, shortchange judiciary accounts or deposit collections late can still be penalized after they resign or retire, and paying the money back does not erase their liability.
  50. 50A.M. RTJ-25-085(Formerly Jib Fpi No. 23-254-Rtj) Judicial Integrity Board v. Presiding Judge Oscar D. Tomarong, Branch 28, Regional Trial Court, Liloy, Zamboanga del NorteA judge found by the trial court to have hired killers to murder another judge was dismissed from the service and disbarred, even though his criminal conviction is still on appeal.