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.
- A.C. 13995Apr 2024Jhycke G. Palma v. Atty. Ladimir Ian G. MaduramenteA lawyer who neglects his clients' case and represents two sides with opposing claims in the same case is liable, and if he was already disbarred, he is fined instead.
- G.R. 241494Apr 2024Sen. Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV v. Hon. Salvador C. Medialdea in His Capacity as Executive Secretary, Hon. Delfin N. Lorenzana, in His Capacity as Secretary of National Defense, Hon. Eduardo M. año, in His Capacity as Secretary of Interior and Local Government, Hon. Menardo I. Guevarra, in His Capacity as Secretary of Justice, Gen. Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., in His Capacity as Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines, P/dir. Gen. Oscar D. Albayalde, in His Capacity as Chief of the Philippine National Police and All Persons Acting for and in Their Behalf and/or Under Their Direction People of the Philippines Vs. Sen. Antonio F. Trillanes IV People of the Philippines Vs. Sen. Antonio F. Trillanes IVA President cannot cancel an amnesty that his predecessor's government granted and that became final years ago, and Proclamation No. 572, which voided Sen. Trillanes' amnesty, is void.
- G.R. 262084Apr 2024Maycel Balucero Nanzan v. People of the PhilippinesA person who gets a loan by falsely promising it will be paid from another loan's proceeds, then keeps the money, commits the crime of other deceits and must serve jail time and pay both a fine and the debt.
- G.R. 249027Apr 2024Narciso B. Guinto (Released and Rearrested Prisoner N216p-3611), Inmates of New Bilibid Prison Including Rommel Baltar, Esmundo Mallillin, Aldrin Galicia, Henry Alicnas, Denmark Juderial, Juanito Miñon, Jr., Fromencio Enacmal, Benjamin Ibañez, Ricky Bautista, Leddie Karim, Alfredo Romano, Jr., Mario Sarmiento, Danilo Morales, and Alex Rivera v. Department of Justice, Bureau of Corrections, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and Philippine National Police Inmates of New Bilibid Prison, as Represented by Russel a. Fuensalida, Toshing Yiu, Benjamin D. Galvez, Cerilo C. Obnimaga, Urbano D. Mison, Roland a. Gamba, Pablo Z. Panaga, and Rommel T. Deang Vs. Secretary Menardo Guevarra, Department of Justice, Secretary Eduardo año, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Director General Gerald Bantag, Bureau of Corrections, and Hon. Allan Sullano Iral, Chief, Bureau of Jail Management and PenologyPrisoners convicted of heinous crimes can still earn good conduct time allowance (shorter sentences for good behavior) under the GCTA law, because the 2019 rules wrongly excluded them.
- G.R. 265610Apr 2024Walter L. Borromeo and Jimmy N. Parcia v. Lazada E-Services Philippines, Inc., Alex Doronollo, Allan Ancheta, Richard Delantar, and Sam ReyesDelivery riders who signed an "independent contractor" agreement with Lazada were still its regular employees, because Lazada controlled how they worked and the delivery work was part of its business.
- G.R. 260944Apr 2024People of the Philippines v. Fernan Calines y MagastinoA man who clubbed a three-year-old boy to death and hurt the boy's mother could not escape punishment by claiming insanity, because he failed to prove he was insane when he did it.
- G.R. 265876Apr 2024People of the Philippines v. Marie Alvarez y Lumajen and Mercy* Galledo y GambaTwo women who took money from job applicants for work in Japan without any license to recruit were convicted of large scale illegal recruitment, which carries life imprisonment.
- G.R. 250613Apr 2024Elenita v. Macalinao, Kenneth v. Macalinao and Kristel v. Macalinao Vs. Cerina, a.k.a. Cerena N. Macalinao and Cindy N. MacalinaoA seafarer's death benefits are not part of his estate, and they go to his legal wife and all his children, including children of a second, void marriage, but not to the second wife.
- G.R. 260148Apr 2024Herminio a. Besmonte v. National Police Commission-National Capital Region (Napolcom-Ncr)A police officer who used too much force in an arrest is guilty only of simple misconduct, not grave misconduct, unless corruption, clear intent to break the law or flagrant disregard of rules is shown.
- A.M. SC-23-001Apr 2024Office of Administrative Services, Supreme Court v. Johnny R. Llemos, Painter I, Maintenance Division, Office of Administrative Services, Supreme CourtA Supreme Court employee who tested positive for illegal drugs was suspended for one year instead of dismissed, because he admitted it and showed remorse.
- A.M. RTJ-16-2424Apr 2024Office of the Court Administrator v. Hon. Globert J. Justalero, Presiding Judge, Branch 32, Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Iloilo City, and the Designated Assisting Judge of Branch 66, RTC of Barotac Viejo, IloiloA judge held in preventive suspension for years while his case dragged on, through no fault of his own, was treated as having served his one-year penalty and was given back pay for the rest of the time.
- G.R. 219421Apr 2024Bases Conversion and Development Authority v. Cjh Development Corporation, Cap-John Hay Trade and Cultural Center, Inc., Camp John Hay Golf Club, Inc., Creative Era Limited, Francor, Inc., Makati Foundry, Inc., v.r. Gonzalez Credit Enterprises, Inc., Norman R. Agojo, Ruben a. Alcober, Melinda T. Alcober, and Ryan Joseph T. Alcober, Fe C. Ancheta, Spouses Alex I. Avecilla and Imelda S. Avecilla, Antonio F. Cacal, Marcial Campos and Magdalena Campos, Sarina C. Carandang, Angelina T. Castillo, Wilson L.a. Chua, Lilia a. Co, Justo J. Danguilan, Nerissa S. de Leon, Lucio T. de Mesa, Sergio C. Gatmaitan, Lucila v. Joson, Spouses Jesse Andrew Jusayan and Ma. Lira D. Jusayan, Spouses Antonio Ernesto F. Lagdameo and Marie Rachel T. Lagdameo, Edgar L. Lauang, Andres F. Mendia, Jr., Anacleto Moa, Teresita S. Nery, Priscilla L. Oliveros, Danilo v. Pasa, Virginia B. Peralta, William L. Prescillas, Rafaela B. Ramos, Spouses Antonio P. Retrato and Carmelita E. Retrato, Noel R. Ricamata, Danilo S. Santos, Joaquin Enrico C. Santos, Valentina O. Siy, Bernadette Ang Tesoro, Spouses Aurelio M. Umali and Czarina D. Umali, Benito L. Valdez, Margarita M. Villarante and Charina N. Ramento, Jesse T. Young, and Michelle Yu Cjh Development Corporation Vs. Commission on Audit and Bases Conversion and Development AuthorityCourts cannot change or add conditions to an arbitration award that the parties agreed to be bound by, even if they think the award leaves gaps.
- G.R. 206306Apr 2024Miguel Kim v. Slimmers World International, Albert Cuesta, and Dinah Quinto Slimmers World International, Albert Cuesta, and Dinah Quinto Vs. Miguel KimA gym is not liable for a member's death unless the family proves, with real evidence, that the gym broke its contract or was negligent and that this caused the death.
- G.R. 243139Apr 2024Domingo Naldo, Jr., Rogelio Benitez, Isidro Alfonso, Jr., Ronaldo Ledda, Bernardo Fabulare, Armando de Luna, and Nelson Villacentino v. Corporate Protection Services, Phils., Inc. and/or Buddy Robrigado and Benjamin SesgundoAn employer that tricks workers into signing resignation letters and quitclaims by falsely promising to pay all their money claims has constructively dismissed them, and the quitclaims are void.
- G.R. 225920Apr 2024Felimon C. Torres v. Board of Trustees, Government Service Insurance System; Housing Finance Administration Department and Committee on Claims, Government Service Insurance SystemEven though a deceased pilot's housing loan was not covered by GSIS loan insurance, the Court ordered that his brother and heir be allowed to restructure and pay the loan so the housing unit is not cancelled.
- G.R. 234849Apr 2024San Miguel Foods, Inc. v. Spouses Ramon and Ma. Nelia Fabie, and Fresh Link, IncA distributor who sues for breach of contract must prove with enough evidence that the company really ended the contract, and here the Court found that the company only stopped selling to it on credit.
- A.C. 10627Apr 2024(From a.c. No. 6622) Reno R. Gonzales, Jr. and Robin Bryan F. Concepcion v. Attys. Socrates Rivera and Cres Dan BangoyA lawyer who knowingly co-signed a court filing with a disbarred lawyer helped him practice law illegally and was suspended, while another lawyer was fined only for ignoring the Court's orders.
- DecisionApr 2024G.r. No. 262362* People of the Philippines, Plaintiff-Appellee, Vs. Jerrie R. Arraz, Accused-Appellant.When the victim of trafficking is a child, the prosecution does not have to prove force or coercion, because a minor's consent is not given freely.
- G.R. 258888Apr 2024Rolando B. Zoleta v. Investigating Staff, Internal Affairs Board, Office of the Ombudsman, Represented by: Gipo III Alfred Yann G. Oguis and Agio Omar R. LeanoAn Ombudsman official who took money to fix pending cases was rightly dismissed, because administrative cases need only substantial evidence and do not require cross-examination of the witness.
- G.R. 269401Apr 2024People of the Philippines v. Mary Joyce Almero y Pascual Alias "Majoy"Offering a 14-year-old for sex in exchange for money is qualified trafficking in persons, and it does not matter that the child went along with it.