Decision summaries
What each Supreme Court decision decided, in a sentence or two. Open one and use its Summary tab for the facts, issue and ruling in plain language or lawyer mode. These are study aids, not legal advice. Check the decision itself before you rely on it.
- G.R. 215035May 2024Julieta F. Enriquez, Romeo F. Enriquez, and Tita E. Velasco v. Heirs of Florencio F. Enriquez, Represented by Armando EnriquezA trial court cannot decide who owns a property on the strength of evidence that was presented only to decide whether to issue a temporary injunction, so the case must go back for a full trial.
- G.R. 267946May 2024People of the Philippines v. Nell Jackel Tuazon y PanlaquiPaying someone to bring you a minor for sex is qualified trafficking in persons, and the crime is complete even without sexual intercourse and even if the child went along willingly.
- A.M. P-23-105May 2024(Formerly Oca Ipi No. 18-4848-P) Atty. Bonifacio a. Alentajan v. Reyner S. de Jesus, Sheriff IV, Branch 109, Regional Trial Court, Pasay CityA court sheriff who sits on a writ of execution for months, skips the required reports, and takes money from a litigant can be penalized, but the Court punished him with fines because he did not personally ask for the money.
- G.R. 223845May 2024Joseller M. Guiao v. Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and the Office of the PresidentThe Supreme Court ordered PAGCOR and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to give the Philippine Sports Commission the full shares of money that the law promises it.
- A.C. 13628May 2024Helen a. Paez v. Atty. Alfonso D. DebuqueA lawyer who deals dishonestly in a private land purchase, including having several deeds of sale made with different prices, can be suspended from practice for three years.
- G.R. 264196May 2024Robinsons Appliances Corporation (Robinsons Forum) v. Hon. Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry, Hon. Undersecretary Rowel S. Barba and Dti-Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau-Enforcement DivisionA store that sells a product without a required safety mark license number can be fined, even if it is only a retailer and the supplier made the product.
- G.R. 258510May 2024Jess Christopher S. Biong v. Commission on Audit, et al.The Commission on Audit cannot make an officer repay government money just to punish his negligence when the government lost nothing, and it must serve its decision on the people it holds liable.
- A.M. 24-02-09-SCMay 2024Re: Draft Department of Justice-National Prosecution Service'S Rules on Preliminary Investigations and Inquest ProceedingsThe Supreme Court recognized the Department of Justice's authority to make its own rules for preliminary investigations and inquests, and repealed the conflicting parts of Rule 112.
- G.R. 267093May 2024Mark Anthony Romero y Flores v. People of the PhilippinesWhen a woman is knocked unconscious and carried off only so that she can be raped, the crime is rape alone, because the forced taking is absorbed into the rape.
- G.R. 261571May 2024People of the Philippines v. Paul Joven y SenencheWhen a child aged 12 to under 18 is forced into sex without consent, the crime is rape under the Revised Penal Code, not child sexual abuse under Republic Act No. 7610.
- G.R. 255368May 2024Leo a. Abad, Romeo Abella, Marnie Agapay, Feleciano S. Bahan, Ruel R. Bahan, Angelito Cabañas, Jovilito G. Maestrado, Jr., Represented by His Mother, Nenita Maestrado, Tony L. Montante, Alvin D. Pal, Venjie Plasquita, Frankie L. Sabio, and Marijul O. Undap v. San Roque Metals, IncWorkers who already won an illegal dismissal case cannot be held to settlement deals that paid them only a small fraction of what the final judgment awarded them.
- G.R. 234681May 2024Juanito Anro Salvador, Ken Russel Salvador and Michael Salvador v. Maria Minda a. Salvador, for Herself and in Representation of the Minors Alexis Salvador, Jeffrey Salvador, Anthony Salvador, and Hyacinth Salvador YeeA child born during his parents' marriage, or soon after the father's death, is presumed legitimate, and a relative cannot attack that status just by raising it as a defense in a property case.
- G.R. 258893May 2024Raul Domen y Aurellano v. People of the PhilippinesA trial court may approve a plea bargain in a drug sale case under the Supreme Court's own framework even if the prosecutor objects based only on a Department of Justice circular, but it must first check whether the accused qualifies.
- G.R. 239829May 2024National Grid Corporation of the Philippines v. Manila Electric CompanyWhen two or more power distributors are connected to the same sub-transmission asset, the law requires them to form a consortium before it can be sold, and one of them cannot simply waive its right to skip this.
- G.R. 261857May 2024People of the Philippines v. Cynthia Go Moreno, Pepito a. Maguilimotan, Nonela N. Villegas, Marilyn P. Flordeliza, and Gertrudes D. Ababon Augustus Caesar L. Moreno and Evangeline D. ManigosWhere the Ombudsman takes far too long to investigate and file graft charges and cannot justify the delay, the accused's right to speedy disposition of cases is violated and the cases must be dismissed.
- G.R. 258194May 2024People of the Philippines v. XxxA man who sold a 13-year-old girl to paying clients and also had sex with her was found guilty of child abuse and trafficking, and he can be convicted under both laws for the same acts.
- G.R. 245330-31Apr 2024Commissioner of Internal Revenue and Commissioner of Customs v. Philippine Airlines, IncPhilippine Airlines does not have to pay taxes on imported jet fuel when the fuel is for its flight operations and a local supply is lacking in reasonable quantity, quality or price, and any one of these shortfalls is enough.
- G.R. 257723Apr 2024Aurora O. Aragon-Mabang,* v. Office of the OmbudsmanA government finance officer who signed payment papers too early was guilty only of simple misconduct, not grave misconduct, because there was no corruption or willful intent to break the rules.
- G.R. 199479Apr 2024Napoleon Sanota, Bambi Magno Purisima, Antonio Tabbad, Bonifacio Coles, Benjie Rebueno, Arnold Atadero, Boy Silva, Rey Arquiza, Ben Paypon, Arturo Gallego, Jack Pateña, Julio Sison, Froilan Morallos, Boy Mirasol, Ed Bausa, Victor Reyes, Ibarra Samson, Jr., Ricky Carvajal, Jr., Tony Wyco, Customs Media Association, Inc., and Customs Tri-Media Association, Inc. v. Bureau of Customs, Represented by Commissioner Rozzano Rufino B. BiazonThe Supreme Court will not rule on whether a government order is unconstitutional once that order has been repealed, because nothing is left to decide.
- G.R. 254465Apr 2024Jonathan Dy Chua Bartolome v. Toyota Quezon Avenue, Inc., Lincoln T. Lim, Esteban dela Paz, Jr., Josefina de Jesus, and Pauline BacalingAn employee who resigns because managers humiliated him, stripped his accounts and tried to push him out was forced out, which counts as illegal dismissal even though he handed in a resignation letter.