November 2025

52decisions
  1. 01G.R. 259337Vallacar Transit, Inc. and Nixon Banibane v. Ricardo v. Yanson, JrAn accused who flees the country to escape a criminal case, after being charged in court and with a warrant out, can lose the right to ask the courts for any relief until he surrenders.
  2. 02G.R. 251119Mapfre Insular Insurance Corporation (Mapfre) v. Atty. Aris L. Gulapa, in His Capacity as Rehabilitation Receiver for the Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer Corporation, and Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer CorporationA court handling a company's rehabilitation can order the company's insurers to go to arbitration over an insurance claim when that claim is part of the rehabilitation plan.
  3. 03G.R. 265172& 265872 Heirs of Dr. Celestino Henson, Namely: Eva H. Asuncion, Teresita H. Orosa, Amelia H. Tamayo and Romarico S. Henson (Deceased), Survived by His Heirs, Namely: Rosario Maxima Maria P. Henson, Ma. Ana Gloria Concepcion P. Henson, and Antonio Joserico P. Henson v. Don Pepe Henson Enterprises, Inc., Represented by Ms. Jamie Sigua, and Don Pepe Henson EnterprisesA person who inherits a deceased partner's share in a partnership has only a money claim against the partnership, not a claim to its land, so it cannot be annotated as an adverse claim on the land's title.
  4. 04G.R. 268122Haydee Mambalo Melgaso v. Francisca Montalbo Abajon and Heirs of Stanley Abajon, et al.A judgment, even one based on a compromise agreement, can be annulled if a person who had to be included in the case was never made a party, because the court then had no jurisdiction.
  5. 05A.M. 25-01-25-SCRe: Jail Transfer of Persons Deprived of Liberty (Pdls) Sentenced to Three Years and Below Sentenced Without the Necessity of a Court Order or a MittimusJails may transfer prisoners sentenced to three years or less to less crowded jails to ease congestion, but only after asking the court, which must act within five days and issue a mittimus if it approves.
  6. 06G.R. 271526People of the Philippines Versus Martin Cook y GarthA person who gets children to come to his house to be sexually abused for money is guilty of qualified trafficking, and the children's willingness is no defense.
  7. 07G.R. 277514Charles "Db" Savellano y Serrano v. Ronald v. Singson and the Commission on ElectionsThe Supreme Court ruled that a candidate cannot be branded a nuisance candidate just because his nickname looks like another person's, or because he has not campaigned before the official campaign period.
  8. 08G.R. 280455Atty. Hazel L. Meking v. Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, in His Capacity as the Secretary of the Department of JusticeThe Department of Justice may make its own rules for preliminary investigations, including a higher standard of proof, and doing so does not invade the Supreme Court's power to make court rules.
  9. 09A.M. 23-08-55-RTCRe: Dropping From the Rolls of Ms. Mailyn E. Miras, Stenographer III, Branch 65, Regional Trial Court, Infanta, QuezonA government employee who stays away from work for 30 working days or more without approved leave can be dropped from the rolls without prior notice, and having a leave application pending does not excuse the absence.
  10. 10G.R. 277730Veronica R. Batan, Elmor a. Borda, and Alfreo B. Pascual v. Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Altai Philippines Mining CorporationThe Supreme Court refused to issue a writ of kalikasan, a special order to protect the environment, over nickel mining on Sibuyan Island because the residents did not prove damage big enough to affect two or more cities or provinces.
  11. 11G.R. 229065Republic of the Philippines v. the Sandiganbayan (2nd Division)* and Heirs of Benjamin ("Kokoy") RomualdezThe Supreme Court dismissed the Republic's challenge to a discovery order because later events made the question moot, meaning a ruling would no longer have any practical effect.
  12. 12G.R. 241893Eleazar R. Robiso v. Hon. Marie Grace Javier Ibay, Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court (Branch 194) of Parañaque CityA person who wants to adopt a child whose mother has handed the child over to him must first get a DSWD certificate that the child is legally available for adoption.
  13. 13G.R. 263599& 263643 Gma Network, Inc. v. Abs-Cbn Broadcasting Corporation, Angelo Palmones, Alona Magtalas,* Junrie Hidalgo,* Jobert Sucaldito, Cristy Fermin, Luchi Cruz-Valdes, Boyet Agustin,* Atty. Maximilian Uy, Korina Sanchez, Luis Andrada, Lani Gutierrez,* Romer Gonzales,* Nancy Yabut, and Ian Reyno,* Abs-Cbn Broadcasting Corporation, Angelo Palmones, Alona Lindstrom, Leoncio Hidalgo III, Jobert Sucaldito, Cristy Fermin, Joselito Agustin, Atty. Maximilliam Uy III, Luchi Cruz-Valdez, Luis Andrada, Korina Sanchez, Malou Santos, Leilanie Gutierrez, Romerdeo Gonzales, Nancy Yabut, and Mariano Reyno III Vs. Gma Network, IncReporting on a matter of public interest, based on documents and an official's statements, is protected from a damages suit for defamation, and a losing suit does not by itself entitle the defendant to damages.
  14. 14G.R. E-01837Aniceta R. Co,* Nestor B. Co, and Emma L. Acebedo v. People of the Philippines and Regional Trial Court, Branch 54, ManilaAppeals from a regional trial court's conviction of low-ranking officials under the Anti-Graft Law belong to the Sandiganbayan, so a Court of Appeals ruling on such an appeal is void, and the accused should not suffer for the court clerk's wrong transmittal.
  15. 15G.R. 255485Ian Solis y Aquino v. People of the PhilippinesTo convict someone of frustrated homicide, the prosecution must show through the doctor's testimony that the victim's wounds would have been fatal without treatment, so without it the crime is only attempted homicide.
  16. 16G.R. 264513Republic of the Philippines v. Esmeralda S. Perez, Duly Represented by Her Attorney-in-Fact, Saviniano M. Perez, or in His Absence, Evelyn Perez DumdumA landowner with a reconstituted title can have the special encumbrance on it cancelled without publishing or posting notice, once two years have passed since reconstitution with no one claiming an interest.
  17. 17G.R. 278875(Formerly Udk No. 18061) Couples for Christ (Cfc) School of the Morning Star, Junee Lee Mars H. Nebrada, Psyche a. Nebrada,* and Rosario H. Salazar,** v. Wideline I. Malonda, Edward William Inchoco, Lilia I. Inchoco, Miraflor v. Laurito, Elbert a. Villanueva, Chuchie a. Villanueva, Gracelito B. Apordo, Angeline R. Luta, Tomas M. Luta, Dolores P. Rara, Armigrace R. Delos Santos, Jeric T. Jaca, Nile Jane E. Jumamoy, Karla Nicole F. Tiu, Joshua F. Tiu, Ritcher Alison L. Suarez, Emma L. Corativo, Nestor a. Natulla, Vanessa R. Natula, Benedict T. Dollizon, Jesser C. Sanchez, Rowena Sanchez, and Rovith Z. PogosaOrdinary noise from a lawful school is not a nuisance that makes the school pay damages, unless it truly bothers ordinary people in the area and was made in bad faith.
  18. 18G.R. 276215Narra Nickel Mining and Development Corporation, Mcarthur Mining, Inc., and Tesoro Mining and Development, Inc. v. Redmont Consolidated Mines Corporation, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as Represented by Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo LoyzagaWhen a government department only carries out an earlier final decision and decides who may be processed for a mining permit, it is doing administrative work, so its order cannot be appealed to the Court of Appeals.
  19. 19G.R. 265736Gregory Israel v. People of the PhilippinesThreatening gestures without words can count as grave threats, but the accused cannot be convicted unless it is proven he really meant the threat, and an angry gesture made on the spur of the moment is not enough.
  20. 20G.R. 273882Herwin Estrada Alea v. People of the PhilippinesA trial judge cannot refuse a drug accused's request to plead guilty to a lesser offense just because he faces two charges from the same incident or because of the type and amount of drugs involved.
  21. 21G.R. 244585Chen Julong a.k.a. Richard Tan or Richard Chen v. People of the PhilippinesForum shopping is a civil-law concept and cannot be used to dismiss a criminal case, and the prosecution may refile a case in the proper court after the first court dismissed it for lack of jurisdiction.
  22. 22G.R. 274537Noel C. Suataron v. Hawaiian Philippine Company, IncEven when an employee's misconduct could be punished by dismissal under company rules, firing him is too harsh if it was his first offense in 28 years of good service and he did not act with wrongful intent.
  23. 23G.R. 273877Nilo S. Galit v. Willy Tantongco, Doing Business Under the Name and Style Mwc Enterprises, Treebox Enterprises,* Cristine N. Tantongco, and Leni CalumbaA new business that is really a continuation of an old family business cannot use its separate identity to escape the old business's duties to a worker who was illegally dismissed.
  24. 24G.R. 243647Garry B.go v. Lynn y. Chan-GoLegal separation can be granted for "grossly abusive conduct" when a spouse's acts create a hostile and intimidating environment for the other spouse or the children, even without physical violence.
  25. 25A.C. 13404(Formerly Cbd Case No. 15-4833) Spouses Marianne Mariano-Khorshid and Moayad Ahmad Rateb Khorshid v. Atty. Eloisa D. Bayani,•A lawyer who helped a foreign client get a Philippine passport she knew he could not lawfully have, and who had been punished before and defied the Integrated Bar's orders, was disbarred.
  26. 26A.M. P-25-255(Formerly Jib Fpi No. 23-306-P) and a.m. No. P-25-256 (Formerly Jib Fpi No. 23-332-P) Judicial Integrity Board v. Atty. Adoracion a. Arceo, Clerk of Court Vi, Office of the Clerk of Court, Metropolitan Trial Court, Makati City Re: Serious Concerns Involving Atty. Adoracion a. Arceo, Clerk of Court Vi, Office of the Clerk of Court, Metropolitan Trial Court, Makati CityA clerk of court who repeatedly follows up other courts' cases for litigants and hints at a favor in exchange for a favorable ruling can be punished even after resigning, and here was disbarred.
  27. 27G.R. 259729Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Standard Insurance Co., IncThe tax bureau cannot collect a tax assessment that was made by auditors with no proper written authority, and it also loses the right to collect if it waits years without acting.
  28. 28G.R. 256002Isco Holding Corporation v. Nikon CorporationA well-known trademark registered in the Philippines is protected even against a look-alike mark used on completely different goods, so a household-appliance company cannot register NIKON.
  29. 29G.R. 260860People of the Philippines v. Xxx* (G.r. No. 260860)When an accused appeals a conviction for a lesser crime, he gives up the protection against double jeopardy, so the Court may convict him of the graver crime originally charged.
  30. 30A.M. P-25-253(Formerly Jib Fpi No. 24-545-P) Judicial Integrity Board v. Gerard Louie G. Garganera, Sheriff III, Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Passi City, IloiloA court sheriff who offers to settle a litigant's case for a fee, and takes money for it, is guilty of gross misconduct and dishonesty and is dismissed from the service.
  31. 31Oca Ipi No. 16-2848-Mtj, a.m. No. Mtj-19-1929, Oca Ipi No. 18-2963-Mtj, Oca Ipi No. 19-3067-Mtj, a.m. No. P-19-4008 & Oca Ipi No. 16-4615-P Cynthia B. Cartilla, Clerk of Court III, Complainant, Vs. Presiding Judge Thelma N. Delos Santos, Both From the Municipal Trial Court, Dalaguete, Cebu, Respondent. [a.m. No. Mtj-19-1929 [formerly Oca Ipi No. 16-2859-Mtj]] Michael Niño C. Olivar Complainant, Vs. Presiding Judge Thelma N. Delos Santos, Municipal Trial Court, Dalaguete, Cebu, Respondent. [oca Ipi No. 18-2963-Mtj] Peter O. Bejarasco, Jr. Complainant, Vs. Presiding Judge Thelma N. Delos Santos, Municipal Trial Court, Dalaguete, Cebu, Respondent. [oca Ipi No. 19-3067-Mtj [formerly a.m. No. 19-06-31-MTC]] Office of the Court Administrator, Complainant, Vs. Presiding Judge Thelma N. Delos Santos, Clerk of Court Cynthia B. Cartilla, and Process Server Michael Niño C. Olivar, All From the Municipal Trial Court, Dalaguete, Cebu, Respondents. [a.m. No. P-19-4008 [formerly Oca Ipi No. 16-4548-P]] Hon. Thelma N. Delos Santos, Presiding Judge Complainant, Vs. Cynthia B. Cartilla, Clerk of Court III, Both From the Municipal Trial Court, Dalaguete, Cebu, Respondent. [oca Ipi No. 16-4615-P] Presiding Judge Thelma N. Delos Santos, Complainant, Vs. Michael Niño C. Olivar, Junior Process Server, Both From the Municipal Trial Court, Dalaguete, Cebu, Respondent.A judge, a clerk of court and a process server who fought with each other in the same small court were all punished: the judge for notarizing private documents she had no authority to notarize and for lending money at interest, and the clerk for taking money from a bondsman and mishandling court funds.
  32. 32G.r. Nos. E-02002, E-02010, E-02142, & E-02276 Romulo B. Macalintal, Petitioner, Vs. the Senate of the Philippines, the House of Representatives, the Office of the President Through Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, and the Commission on Elections, Respondents, Liga Ng Mga Barangay Sa Pilipinas and Punong Barangays Maria Katrina Jessica G. Dy, Ma. Martina L. Gimenez, Robert J. de Lara, Elmo D. Ragandang, Allan v. Leuterio, Alexberto B. Ompoc, Romel P. Virtuzado, Michael P. Cailing, Francisco T. Longkiao, Eric T. Canoy, Tara Camille Lim Raffiñan, Renan P. Joromo, Celso B. Hugo, Francisco M. Laihee, Marlo L. Tabac, Moises R. Bartolome, Antonio C. Lamug, Modesto M. Arreola, Jr., Rey G. Tamundong, Rico F. Guzman, Cornelio D. de Gracia, Carlos T. Mondala, Norence a. Pascual, Rolly C. Salvador, Jojie a. Sarandi, Julie Ann T. Roque, Tirso B. Guieb, Berlinda C. Vallejos, Roden P. Mangaoil, Michael M. Matusalem, Villamor S. Galam, Jr., Frederick C. Sabado, Marlin U. Pascual, Timoteo v. Tolentino, Renante P. Jacinto, Cesar a. Corpuz, Efren L. Matias, Alfredo C. Nabugen, Joseph Harold Pimentel, Apolinario S. Parnacio, Jr., Feliciano a. Tolentino, Alexander D. Asuncion, Ericson P. Guray, Eddie L. Yaranon, Judith P. Lagmay, Cesar G. Florendo, Reynaldo v. Duguilan, Betty a. Ngipol, Martino v. Salas, Jr., Melchor R. Salum, and Virgo Cham-Ag, Petitioners-in-Intervention. [g.r. No. E-02010] John Barry T. Tayam, Petitioner, Vs. the Commission on Elections, Thru George Erwin M. Garcia in His Capacity as the Chairperson, Office of the. Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr., the Senate President Francis Joseph G. Escudero, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Respondents. [g.r. No. E-02142] Mystro Yushi P. Fujii, Boyd Luis Antonio C. Tolentino, Jr., Louise Adrian F. Magat, Roberto a. Garcia, Jr., and Catherine Apple S. Arenas, Petitioners, Vs. the Office of the President, Represented by Executive Secretary Lucas Purugganan Bersamin, Senate of the Republic of the Philippines, Represented by Senator Francis Joseph "Chiz" Guevara Escudero, the House of Representatives, Represented by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Gomez Romualdez, Sr., and the Commission on Elections, Respondents. [g.r. No. E-02276] Atty. Alberto N. Hidalgo, Atty. Aluino O. Ala, Atty. John Vergel a. Eljera, Atty. Ana Rose D. Cinco, Atty. Kit Alden a. Bajado, and Mr. Nofredo Lagonoy Representing Youth for Transformative Leadership Movement (Yftlm), Petitioners, Vs. Executive Secretary, Represented by Lucas P. Bersamin, the Senate of the Philippines, Represented by Its Senate President, Francis Joseph "Chiz" Escudero, the House of Representatives, Represented by Its Speaker of the House, Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, and the Commission on Elections, Duly Represented by Its Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia, Respondents.The Supreme Court upheld Republic Act No. 12232, which gave barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials four-year terms and moved their next elections from December 2025 to November 2026.
  33. 33G.R. 260538Noli Z. Ilon v. People of the PhilippinesA driver who kills someone through reckless driving can have his sentence lowered by mitigating circumstances such as voluntary surrender, but a penalty for failing to help the victim cannot be added unless the charge sheet says so.
  34. 34G.R. 224341Philippine Electricity Market Corporation v. Therma Mobile, IncA power plant that is fined by the electricity spot market operator for breaking its market rules cannot send that penalty to arbitration; its remedy is a petition for certiorari in the Court of Appeals.
  35. 35G.R. 278408Republic of the Philippines v. Philippine Savings BankIf nobody asks to protect a hidden claim on a rebuilt land title within two years, the owner can have the warning note removed by a simple motion, without publishing a notice in the Official Gazette.
  36. 36G.R. 265163Department of Budget and Management and Department of Budget and Management-Procurement Service v. Joint Venture of Omniprime Marketing, Inc., 2interact Middle East Fz-Llc, and Heitech Padu Berhad, Represented by Annabelle a. MargaroliWhen a government contract requires arbitration, the government cannot escape it, and courts cannot review the merits of the arbitrators' award, even in a very large and important project.
  37. 37G.R. 258481Richard Huna Delera and Dionel Bandillon Quiling v. Philippine Foremost Milling, Corp., Amigo Logistics Corp. (Alc), Mma Competent Manpower & General Services, IncA manpower agency with substantial capital can be a legitimate contractor even without owning equipment when the work it supplies is simple, manual and not core to the client's business.
  38. 38Oca-Ipi No. 20-3112-Mtj Editha M. Bayona, Complainant, Vs. Hon. Aida Theresita B. Basa-Diviva, Presiding Judge, Municipal Circuit Trial Court, Sta. Cruz-Candelaria, Zambales, Respondent.A judge cannot be disciplined for her judicial acts, even allegedly wrong ones, without evidence of fraud, bad faith or corruption, and a complainant must prove her charges with real evidence.
  39. 39G.R. 273684People of the Philippines v. Jake Lariosa y BayonetaProsecutors cannot spring a surprise witness at trial who was not named at pre-trial without a good reason, and when the only eyewitness is excluded, the accused must be acquitted.
  40. 40G.R. 247617University of Southeastern Philippines, Represented by Its President, Dr. Romulo Dequito; Dr. Marie Rose Escalada; Dr. Gilbert Gordo; Professor Catherine Roble; and Ms. Emma Gobantes v. Antonio and Rosita SarateA school and its officers are responsible when a student dies at a school event because no safety measures were in place, and the Supreme Court sharply raised the damages, including death indemnity from PHP 50,000.00 to PHP 300,000.00 for deaths caused by negligence.
  41. 41G.R. 267217(Formerly Udk No. 17695) Alvin G. Carpio v. Green Era Biotech Corp./mr. Johnson Li* , Great Value Management and Services Corporation/ms. Ninay P. RileBeing absent from work without permission is not abandonment unless the employee clearly shows he does not want the job anymore, and a company rule that fires a worker for five days of absence is too harsh, though the worker then gets reinstatement without back pay.
  42. 42A.M. P-24-123(Formerly Jib Fpi No. 21-054-P) Judicial Integrity Board v. Annabelle L. Mercene, Interpreter, Municipal Trial Court, Buenavista, MarinduqueA court employee who commits a crime involving moral turpitude, such as estafa, can be dismissed from the service, even if she tried to escape by retiring early.
  43. 43A.M. MTJ-25-051(Formerly Jib Fpi No. 24-159-Mtj) Office of the Court Administrator v. Hon. Wilfredo G. Oca, Presiding Judge, Municipal Trial Court, Real, QuezonA judge who leaves dozens of cases undecided past the deadline is liable for gross neglect of duty even after he retires, but this does not automatically make him unfit to be a lawyer.
  44. 44G.R. 278632People of the Philippines v. Maria Zarah Mae Budzinsky y Rodil a.k.a. "Maria Zarah Mae B. Rodil", a.k.a. "Ate Rhea"A person who lures a homeless 13-year-old with false promises and offers her for sex is guilty of qualified trafficking, and the child's consent does not matter.
  45. 45G.R. 273832People of the Philippines v. Rovi Siason y BobilaAnyone without a government license who gives the impression that she can send people to work abroad commits illegal recruitment, even if she charged no fee and only one of the victims testified.
  46. 46G.R. 274734People of the Philippines v. Noli* Encabo and Anselmo BacallaA witness who saw a killing and then simply went home, without reporting it, can still be believed, and an attack on a victim who is held and cannot escape is treacherous even if she knew harm was coming.
  47. 47A.C. 14443Jason Gene H. Baltao v. Atty. Jesus Nicardo M. Falcis IIIA lawyer who posts curse words and insults against a group of people on Twitter can be suspended from law practice, even if he was defending his brother.
  48. 48A.C. 14627(Formerly Cbd Case No. 23-6861) Heirs of the Late Spouses Lydia Parabot Garcia and Jose Ramon Garcia, Represented by Mila Garcia v. Atty. Guillermo M. TabaldoA lawyer who takes money from clients for tax payments, fails to return what he did not pay to the government, and calls bribes 'facilitation fees' can be suspended from practice for years.
  49. 49G.R. 207894& 209380 Philippine Federation of Electric Cooperatives (Philfeco) Represented by Its Chairman, Engr. Narciso S. Salunat, Isabela II Electric Cooperative (Iselco II), Nueva Vizcaya Electric Cooperative (Nuvelco), San Jose Electric Cooperative (Sajelco), Pangasinan III Electric Cooperative (Panelco III), Sorsogon II Electric Cooperative (Soreco II), Palawan Electric Cooperative (Paleco), Negros Oriental III Electric Cooperative (Noreco II) and Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (Noceco) v. the Honorable Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr., the Honorable Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho L. Petilla, the Honorable Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad, the Honorable Nea Administrator Edita S. Bueno, the Honorable Cda Chairman Emmanuel M. Santiaguel and the Honorable Sec Chairman Teresita J. Herbosa Dioscoro P. Boco, Romeo J. Gumadlas, Samuel P. Carampatana, Jose P. Rosales, Alberto D. Parajes, Gilberto a. Enriquez, Leoncia T. Hernandez, Maurita M. Comandante, Eleno M. Angay, Conrado L. Buque Jr., Mariano C. Corvera Jr., Dioscoro C. Basnig, Rico a. Rono, Florante O. Perez, George S. Pacot, Felix G. Vergara, Jr., Wilfredo D. Bajao, Catalino D. Villaflores, Raul L. Alkuino, Romeo y. Pacanan, Eligio C. David, Jr., Charlie C. Castillanes, Edwin B. Galicia, Francis E. Boniao, Gloria D. Ranile, Tarcisio L. Barros, Reinario B. Bihag, Teddy a. Bernales, Benjamin R. Cabatic, Karim U. Macarompan, Nassrollah D. Montud, Joseph M. Sanguila, Jr., Henry a. Latumbo, Donato y. Calica, Claire Grebern U. Elumir, Edgar a. Demavivas, Linog D. Samsoden, Henry T. Udang, Alfredo J. dela Rosa, Jr., Benjamin C. de La Plaza, Jr., Mario L. Sacal, Flordesvinda C. Madarieta, Hurlito L. Paderanga, Charlito a. Potutan, Joel B. D'Lonsod, Rodolito y. Yap, Rey Roger B. Villanueva, Felipe O. Casing, Franklin J. Bolotaolo,paulo N. de Los Reyes, Napoleon T. Lapar, Edgar E. Ongco, Priscilla C. Villanueva, Eddie L. Caluna, Mario Genis B. Sarigumba, Fe Luzse D. Abata, Francis Manuel L. Paylaga, Melvyn D. Eballe, Antonio P. Reyes, Nicanor v. Enterina, Esmerna U. Gabutina, Eduardo O. Bacasnot, Mark R. Valdevilla, Greg a. Ocot, Eugene M. Unabia, Edmundo S. Moreno, Crisanto P. Calingin Vs. Senate Senate President Franklin M. Drilon, House of Representatives Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Hon. Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., Department of Energy (Doe) and Hon. Secretary Carlos Jericho L. Petilla, National Electrification Administration (Nea) and Hon. Administrator Edita S. BuenoThe Supreme Court upheld the law giving the National Electrification Administration (NEA) strong powers to supervise and, when needed, take over electric cooperatives, ruling it a valid use of the State's power to protect public welfare.
  50. 50G.R. E-01622(Udk) Moana Dubay Camilotes Jickain v. Commission on ElectionsA petition challenging a COMELEC ruling must be filed within the strict 30-day period, and a petition filed 50 days late is dismissed without the Court looking at the merits.
  51. 51A.M. RTJ-26-119(Formerly Jib Fpi No. 21-076-Rtj) Atty. Pablo B. Francisco v. Hon. Miguel S. Asuncion, Presiding Judge, Branch 99, Regional Trial Court, Antipolo City, RizalA judge who takes years to decide a case, without asking the Supreme Court for more time, is guilty of simple neglect of duty, even if he was busy with other work.
  52. 52G.r. No. 262419* (Formerly Criminal Case No. R-Psy-16-12641-Cr) Xxx, Petitioner, Vs. People of the Philippines, Respondent.A man cannot be convicted of economic abuse for not supporting a child when the prosecution has not proven he is the father and has not shown he deliberately withheld support to cause anguish.