February 2026

46decisions
  1. 01G.R. E-02159Adama Resorts and Hotels, Inc. v. Prime Smartech Appliances CorporationTwo trademarks can share the same main word and still coexist when the products are unrelated, so a maker of air conditioners may register KURA even though a hotel and resort business already uses KURA HOTEL and KURA RESORT.
  2. 02G.R. 233512Ma. Fe Imelda Lapira y Tungol,• v. Jimmy Fariscal and People of the PhilippinesA person charged with bigamy can argue that her first marriage was void from the start, for example for lack of a marriage license, without first getting a court declaration, and the prosecution must still prove a valid first marriage.
  3. 03G.R. 268658Roberto Licup y Villalon v. People of the Philippines, Represented by the Hon. Office of the Solicitor General and the Hon. Court of Appeals Former Eleventh Division, ManilaThe Court of Appeals should not automatically throw out an appeal of a detained accused just because the appellant's brief arrived late or was not properly filed, especially when the other side was not harmed.
  4. 04G.R. 263812Mercury Drug Corporation (Distribution Center) Employees Union-Ffw v. Mercury Drug CorporationA dismissed employee can vote in a union election only if he has challenged his dismissal before a labor arbiter, and a notice of strike filed with the NCMB does not count.
  5. 05G.R. 272830Herlyn Sabay Ferrer v. Genpact Llc and Tiger TyagarajanAn employee who resigns with a polite, thankful letter and offers no proof that her employer knew of and ignored the harassment cannot later claim she was forced out.
  6. 06G.R. 267620Petronilo B. Laroco v. Government Service Insurance System Committee on ClaimsA government agency cannot use its own implementing rules to take away a benefit that the law itself gives, so GSIS cannot deny survivorship benefits to a deceased member's parent just because the member served less than 15 years.
  7. 07G.r. No. 271812* People of the Philippines, Plaintiff-Appellee, Vs. Xxx271812 (CA G.r. Cr-Hc No. 16035 [formerly Criminal Case No. 869-19]), Accused-Appellant.A child's clear and honest testimony can alone convict a stepfather of rape, and a victim's silence, delay in reporting or lack of injuries does not make her story false.
  8. 08G.R. 262653Republic of the Philippines v. Boots Rodel Aguirre and Alma T. AguirreA couple who marry without a license by swearing to a false affidavit that they lived together for five years have a void marriage, because the false affidavit cannot replace the license.
  9. 09G.R. 265600Wilfredo C. Ador, King Ryan C. Azarcon, Enrico C. Bacunawa, Jovy R. Calderon, Gregorio C. Celis, Jr., Rowally F. Cuaresma, Arly L. Estorninos, Edward L. Estorninos, Mark G. Maramba, Rolly P. Palencia, and Amado B. Rosales, Jr. v. T. Osada Logistics and Services*/ Osada Transport/ Takehito Osada and Rowena OsadaDelivery riders who work under a company's control are its employees, and telling them verbally to stop reporting for work is an illegal dismissal.
  10. 10G.R. 271354Spouses Elvin Sending (Datu Gibo) and Jocelyn Sending (Bae Orange) v. Kristopper* Rahda Co Uy, Atty. Jocelyn Pesquera, Henry P. CAñete, Jr., and Hon. Ameli Amor R. Estrada, Presiding Judge of the 7th Municipal Circuit Trial Court, Liloan-Compostela, Metro Cebu)A party who loses a case with a final judgment cannot use a petition for mandamus to stop its execution by suddenly claiming indigenous peoples status, especially when the other party is not a member of the same community.
  11. 11G.R. 278240People of the Philippines v. Xxx278240A traditional healer who sexually abused a 15-year-old girl by pretending it was part of her treatment was convicted of two counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault, and the Court held that her lack of resistance did not matter because she was tricked.
  12. 12G.R. 268486People of the Philippines v. Natalie Caluducan and Tessie Tugaoen (at Large); Natalie CaluducanA person who helps a recruiter promise jobs abroad to three or more people, without a license, is guilty of large-scale illegal recruitment even if she never received any money herself.
  13. 13G.R. 268971People of the Philippines v. Mary Joy dela TorreA woman who offered a 13-year-old girl to a man for sex in exchange for money was convicted of qualified trafficking in persons, and a paid-for affidavit of desistance by the victim could not undo the case.
  14. 14G.R. 272859Allan B. Radaza, as Substituted by His Heirs Lilane a. Radaza, Rysan a. Radaza, and Grethel a. Radaza v. Alcatraz Security & Investigation Agency, Inc., and Ernesto CatungalA security guard who says he was left without a post cannot win an illegal dismissal case if he cannot prove he was dismissed and his agency sent him specific orders to report for a named assignment.
  15. 15G.R. 226945Commissioner of Internal Revenue and Perfecto L. Aranas, Regional Director of Revenue Region No. 19, Davao City v. Elric Auxiliary Services Corporation/sacred Heart Gas StationThe tax agency cannot use a short-notice warning letter threatening business closure as a way to collect unpaid VAT without first issuing a proper tax assessment that explains the facts and the law behind the amount.
  16. 16G.R. 260539Hector Aguirre Casidsid v. People of the PhilippinesA barangay captain who set up or ran an open garbage dump can be convicted under the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act no matter who owns the land, and a dump on someone else's property is not excused by claiming the owner's title is doubtful.
  17. 17G.R. 216882Marilyn N. Evalle v. People of the PhilippinesA person who has been acquitted of falsifying a document cannot later be convicted of theft that was committed through that same falsification, because that would put her in danger of punishment twice for the same thing.
  18. 18G.R. 277049Philippine Asset Growth One, Inc. v. Gil G. ChuaA bank cannot foreclose a mortgage when the mortgage contract promises that notices will be sent to the owner and no notice of the foreclosure petition was sent, even if the mortgage covers future debts.
  19. 19G.R. 269039-41Felix G. Cruz v. Robin Cruz, Osias G. Cruz, and John DoesParents who sign a waiver of their inherited rights in favor of two sons have in effect made a donation, so a brother who came late and claimed the land as part of the mother's estate loses.
  20. 20G.R. 269085Frian B. Lambo v. Evelyn Vega-RoseA deed of sale signed only to secure money advanced to pay off a debt is treated as an equitable mortgage, and the owner must repay what was advanced.
  21. 21G.R. 272080Gilbert Rivera, Carlos Alcantara, Virgilio Castigo, Emmanuel Laban, Samson Maramba, Ronnie Abellera, Roderick Abubo, Fernando Albay, Gerry Apostol, Rodolfo Bautista, Martin Cacas, Ronald Caluza, Frexen Dulatre, Romeo de Castro, Edwin Doctolero, Joey Dulay, Ronaldo Dulay, Paul Jemsen Dulay, Roderick Fredeluces, Sony Boy Lovite, Ramon Mabalot, Cesar Mamaril, Hilario Obrero, Joey Ordoña,* Adelino Ostrea, Eric Padilla, Ronald Rafanan, Meljonel Ramirez, Reynaldo Regacho, Caesar Delos Reyes, Alfie Reyes, Noel Rosal, Erwin Soriano, Jacinto Tamayo, Cesar Ulat, Roger Mangaoang, Lex L. Ayson, Cesar Villanueva, Mark Anthony Albay, Jessie D. Mangaoang, Napoleon Rullan, Jeffrey Libatique, Jonathan Gayo, Robert Rullan, Marionito Ramirez, June O. Decina, Jhumar Maynes, Rolly Tayan, Reynaldo Rulloda, Fernando Fabro, Jr., Rowel Garabiles, Jordan Rigor, Jimmy Galinato, John Marcelo Ramirez, Mario Fabro, Ramil G. Halaman, Jay a. Mendoza, Gabriel F. Gabuat, Jayson B. Mangornong, Allan Pio Rosimo, Ronald L. Valdez, Marlo Halabas, Jun Villarosa, Rommel Lacaden, Melchor Haban, Joel dela Rosa Novida, Edwin Alcantara, Jr., Jonathan M. de Vera, Marco M. Munio, Christian Peralta, Arnold G. Reyes, Robert Alawas, Mariano a. Nuval, Ramir B. Cacas, Reynante N. Adones, Demetria a. Flores, Ricardo Cacanando, Michael G. Ramos, Hadji Carlos G. Dacpano, Edgar Obungen, Alfredo G. Espejo, Clarence Jolly D. Caoile, Eric F. Estoesta, Perfecto B. Millanes, Jr., Editho M. Villoria, Danilo M. Galera, Roger Parrocha, Ben Mangaser, Jr., Daniel B. Tubera, Joey King Martinez, Nelson Tubera, and Domingo Generao v. Universal Leaf Philippines, Inc., and Winston P. UyWorkers who return to the same seasonal jobs year after year are regular seasonal employees, not illegally dismissed: in the off-season they are only on leave until they are recalled.
  22. 22G.R. 268123Spouses Virgilio and Ma. Estrelita Guasis v. Spouses Manuel Millan and Edna Dc Millan, Substituted by Their Children, Pia Rita Millan and Emmanuel Patrick MillanIn an eviction case, the court decides only who has the right to possess the property, and a registered title cannot be attacked there.
  23. 23G.R. 275013People of the Philippines v. XxxWhen an adult performs all the acts needed for sexual intercourse with a child under 12 and the penis touches the vagina, the rape is already complete, even if full entry did not happen.
  24. 24A.C. 11444(Formerly Cbd Case No. 17-5464) Andy dela Victoria Canonoy v. Atty. Jose B. GuiboneA suspended lawyer cannot count the time before the Court's order reached him as served suspension, and cannot return to practice until he files a sworn statement that he completed it.
  25. 25G.R. E-02865Nelton L. Sumiton v. Commission on Audit, Chairperson Gamaliel a. Cordoba, Commissioner Roland Cafe Pondoc, and Commissioner Mario G. Lipana, the Audit Team Leader of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Regional Office No. IxFees that project proponents deposit with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples to pay for community consent processes are government funds, so the Commission on Audit can audit them and disallow badly documented spending.
  26. 26G.R. 261264Bdo Unibank, Inc. v. Cristina Barcellano y RiegoA bank that wrongly cleared a check early because of its own gross negligence cannot make the depositor return the money she withdrew.
  27. 27G.R. 273931Edgar Silvano y Dollar, Jr. v. People of the PhilippinesCredit cards taken during a drug search warrant cannot be used to convict a person of credit card fraud if the officers already suspected card fraud but never got a warrant for it, and the prosecution must also prove the cards seized are the same ones shown in court.
  28. 28G.R. 227602Cho Han Choon v. People of the PhilippinesA man who sold part of his company shares to an investor was acquitted of estafa because the money was payment for the shares, not money held in trust, and the prosecution did not prove his promises were false from the start.
  29. 29A.M. P-25-307(Formerly Jib Fpi No. 22-163-P) Anonymous v. Revelyn O. Estrera, Clerk III, Branch 22, Regional Trial Court, Kabacan, North CotabatoA court clerk who passed her civil service exam by having someone else take it for her was dismissed from the service for serious dishonesty.
  30. 30G.R. 276178People of the Philippines v. Eddie Cerna y Ciana @ "Eddie,"A school guard who forced himself on a 12-year-old girl was found guilty of two kinds of rape and of acts of lasciviousness against her, and the Court raised the damages for the rape that left her pregnant.
  31. 31G.R. 258643People of the Philippines v. Xxx258643A victim who says no, or tries to stop the act, even only in the middle of it, has resisted, and ignoring that is the force that makes the act rape.
  32. 32G.R. E-02172Mark Angelo Verano y Edejer v. People of the PhilippinesEven when trafficking is only attempted, the victim is entitled to moral and exemplary damages, though in smaller amounts than for completed trafficking.
  33. 33G.R. 260447Lopez Sugar Corporation v. Romeo Perrin, Jr., Eduardo Candelario, Leonito Franco, Rogelio Pabalan, and Social Security SystemAn employer who illegally dismisses a worker must still pay that worker's Social Security System (SSS) contributions for the whole time the worker was out of a job, plus a penalty for not paying on time.
  34. 34G.R. 265374Dominador Paran, Jr., Julie Abing,* Antonio Untal, Berto Labor, Leonardo Niervas, Jacinto Rabusa, Jr., Catalino Paran, Danilo Alforque, Albert Singwa, Rodelio Entera, and Halsey Rabusa v. People of the Philippines and Exequiel Canencia , Substituted by His HeirsFarmers who entered land in the honest belief that the government had awarded it to them cannot be convicted of grave coercion, because the crime requires criminal intent and good faith cancels it.
  35. 35G.R. 277682Francisca Sumampong v. Heirs of Benigna Sumampong-Sarate, Represented by Artemio Sarate and Tomas SarateThe registered owner of land under a Torrens title, and the owner's heirs, have a better right to possess it than someone holding only a deed of sale and tax receipts, and laches does not bar their claim.
  36. 36G.R. 259277Spo2 Badawi P. Bakal v. People of the PhilippinesOnce a trial court acquits an accused after a full trial, the State cannot get the acquittal reversed just by claiming the judge misread the evidence, because that would put the accused in double jeopardy.
  37. 37A.M. P-25-248(Formerly Jib Fpi No. 23-268-P) Maritess M. Yamba v. Luzviminda G. Hernandez, Clerk of Court II, Municipal Trial Court, Buenavista, Agusan del NorteA court clerk who used a co-worker's name to attend a convention, claimed the reimbursement and falsified her time record lost all her retirement benefits, even though she had already retired.
  38. 38A.M. MTJ-26-056(Formerly Jib Fpi No. 23-118-Mtj) Anonymous v. Judge Elmer R. Bernardo, Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Batac City, Ilocos NorteA judge who damaged his neighbors' parked cars by throwing a piece of wood and a stone, and gave an unbelievable excuse, was fined for conduct that harms the reputation of the Judiciary, even though it happened outside his work.
  39. 39A.M. SCC-26-007-POffice of the Court Administrator v. Al Jamel E. Barataman, Clerk of Court II, Shari'Ah Circuit Court, Marawi City-Saguiaran-Kapai-Tagaloan II-Piagapo, Lanao del SurA court clerk who keeps court money in his personal account, fails to turn it in, and leaves out receipts and reports is dismissed from the service and must pay back what is missing, even if he repays part of it.
  40. 40A.C. 14347In Re: Dated June 26, 2024 of the Special Third Division, This Court, in a.c. No. 12472, v. Atty. Gerardo Wilfredo L. AlbertoA lawyer who hides from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines that the criminal complaints he is relying on were already dismissed, and then ignores its orders, can be disbarred, especially when he has been punished before.
  41. 41A.M. RTJ-25-112Anonymous v. Hon. Jacinto M. dela Cruz, Jr., Presiding Judge, Branch 81, Regional Trial Court, Asingan, PangasinanA judge who read out only the dispositive part of his decisions online and gave the written copies months later is guilty only of simple misconduct and is fined PHP 25,500.00, because the Court took the pandemic and his remorse into account.
  42. 42G.R. 272556Empire East Land Holdings, Inc. v. John Edrem BautistaIf a condominium developer takes a buyer's reservation payments but never issues the promised Contract to Sell, the buyer can cancel and get everything back, and the developer may also be ordered to pay exemplary damages for dragging out the case.
  43. 43G.R. 272556Empire East Land Holdings, Inc. v. John Edrem BautistaIf a condominium developer takes a buyer's reservation payments but never issues the promised Contract to Sell, the buyer can cancel and get everything back, and the developer may also be ordered to pay exemplary damages for dragging out the case.
  44. 44G.R. 265114Lizza C. Santos v. Local Civil Registrar of Manila and the Civil Registrar GeneralA person who says her signature on a marriage certificate was forged must prove it with clear and convincing evidence; her own denial and friendly witnesses are not enough.
  45. 45G.R. 267860People of the Philippines v. Xxx267860An adult who persuades or influences a minor, such as a teacher with a 14-year-old student, into sex commits child sexual abuse under R.A. 7610, even if the child seemed to go along, and the word moral ascendancy need not appear in the charge.
  46. 46G.R. 276986Republic of the Philippines v. Ma. Theresa Ramoran-Wong and Vincent L. WongA husband's unwillingness to oppose the case does not prove that the couple conspired, and a marriage can be declared void for psychological incapacity when the spouse's lasting personality problems, existing before the wedding, make him unable to do the basic duties of marriage.