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- G.R. 262941Feb 2024People of the Philippines v. YyyEven though the law against child pornography was repealed while the appeal was pending, the new law punishes the same acts, so the accused can still be convicted for what she did under the old law.
- A.M. 19-01-15-RTCFeb 2024In Re: Report on the Judicial Audit in Branch 24, Regional Trial Court, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, Under Hon. Raphiel F. Alzate, as Acting Presiding JudgeA judge who defies the Supreme Court's own suspension order, and hides it by not mentioning it, can be dismissed from the service.
- G.R. 230147Feb 2024Juanito Gallano y Obrar v. People of the PhilippinesPaying with a counterfeit bill is not a crime unless the person knew it was fake, and a man who had the bill re-checked after being told it was fake was acquitted.
- G.R. 255100Feb 2024Domingo v. de Guzman III Vs. People of the Philippines G.r. No. 255229 Tomas Pastorvs. Dalia Guerrero Pastor G.r. No. 255503 People of Philippines Vs. Dalia Guerrero Pastor and Domingo v. de Guzman IIITo arrest and charge someone, or to deny bail, the court needs only evidence that makes guilt probable or strong, not proof beyond reasonable doubt, and here that standard was met against both the alleged mastermind and the victim's wife.
- G.R. 243349Feb 2024Philippine Pizza, Inc. v. Romeo Gregorio Oladive, Jr., Arnel D. Labog, John Laurence R. Verdida, Paul William S. Soliman, Rommel N. Caccam, Ramil D. Delos Santos, Gabriel S. Montana, Teofilo N. Bergantin, Arthur a. de Guzman, and Consolidated Building Maintenance, IncA company that moves its own workers to a contractor so they can keep doing the same job, without becoming regular employees, is engaged in prohibited labor-only contracting and is their real employer.
- G.R. 264439Feb 2024Ramon O. Sampana v. the Maritime Training Center of the Philippines, Captain Alejandro C. Aquino, Jr., and Normandy E. GualbertoAn instructor kept on repeated three-month contracts for over five years was a regular employee, and calling the deal a consultancy or a fixed-term contract could not change that.
- G.R. 247009Feb 2024Cesar a. Altarejos, Conrado M. Balagtas, Ricky Boy Dc. Piñeda, Gaudioso G. Josol, Alonzo Dc. Caabas, Warlita Remo Cabrito, Erwin T. Comendador, Rhacel R. Faustino, Hernane N. Guerrero, Renie L. Salanga, Benjamin R. Santos, Melchor L. Junio, Sr., Edgardo P. Sales, Carmelita a. Oanes, Rebecca M. Villero, Leonardo T. Azurin, Ian Cris Q. Dacoco, Jorge v. Salanga, Benedicto R. Salpayne, Alfredo M. Bachiller, Arlindo R. Lugmao, Arthur E. Llavan, Jr., Jose Marie N. Gerance, Conrado B. Carusos, Andrew a. Carusos, Rizaldy M. dela Cruz, Vilmor E. Salarda, Noel a. Carusos, Joy a. Aguilar, Reynaldo C. Aguilar, and Arnel O. Nicart,* Vs. Hon. Herbert Bautista, in His Capacity as City Mayor of Quezon City; Tadeo M. Palma, in His Capacity as Secretary to the Mayor of Quezon City; and Marlowe y. Jacutin, in His Capacity as Officer-in-Charge of Task Force Copriss of Quezon CityA city mayor can order demolition and eviction without a court only in the limited situations the law allows, and a demolition order outside those situations is void.
- G.R. 247331Feb 2024Hon. Lourdes R. Jose, in Her Capacity as City Treasurer of City of Caloocan v. Tigerway Facilities and Resources, IncA local tax assessment that does not explain its factual and legal basis is void, and the taxpayer who paid it can then claim a refund within two years of payment.
- G.R. 259381Feb 2024People of the Philippines v. Jonel F. GepitulanEven if a drug arrest is lawful, the accused must go free when the police cannot explain why they skipped the required witnesses and left doubt about whether the evidence in court is the same plant they seized.
- G.R. 268216Feb 2024Caridad Pacheco v. Jimmy F. ReyesChoosing the wrong court remedy, skipping required sworn certifications and filing late can end a case, even when the party claims she owns the property.
- G.R. 226445Feb 2024Tuna Processors, Inc. v. Frescomar Corporation & Hawaii International Seafoods, Inc.,* (Hisi) Hawaii International Seafood, Inc. Vs. Tuna Processors, IncA patent protects only what its claims say, so making filtered smoke is not infringement of a patent for curing tuna with cold smoke, but a company that maliciously pushed a licensee to stop paying royalties is still liable for damages.
- A.C. 13253Feb 2024Elena S. Felix and Gem a. Cabreros v. Atty. Lorenzo G. GadonA lawyer can be punished for vulgar, false and hateful statements he makes on air even in a private capacity, and anyone may file a disbarment complaint without having been personally harmed.
- G.R. 249238Feb 2024Republic of the Philippines v. Ruby Cuevas Ng a.k.a. Ruby Ng SonoA Filipino can have a divorce obtained abroad by mutual agreement with a foreign spouse recognized in the Philippines, but must prove both the divorce and the foreign country's divorce law properly.
- A.M. RTJ-24-055Feb 2024(Formerly Oca Ipi No. 18-4800-Rtj) Alexander F. Balutan v. Hon. Joselito C. Villarosa, Presiding Judge, Branch 66, Regional Trial Court, Makati CityA trial judge who ignores a Supreme Court restraining order and rushes to decide a case on the merits and order execution is guilty of serious misconduct, even if he has already retired.
- G.R. 264659Feb 2024Philippine Health Insurance Corporation v. Commission on Audit, as Represented by Its Former Chairperson, Michael G. AguinaldoPhilHealth employees are public health workers, but that does not automatically entitle them to hazard pay and subsistence allowance; each benefit must meet the conditions of the law and its rules.
- G.R. 258841Feb 2024Juan Ponce Enrile v. Sandiganbayan and People of the PhilippinesA bill of particulars adds details to the charge but does not box in the prosecution's evidence, so the Sandiganbayan did not err in refusing to limit evidence to it, and Enrile's petition was dismissed.
- G.R. 253127Feb 2024Lucilo R. Bayron (in His Official Capacity as Mayor of the City of Puerto Princesa), Jimmy L. Carbonell, Henry a. Gadiano, Feliberto S. Oliveros III, Roberto D. Herrera (in His Official Capacity as Supervising Administrative Officer and Acting Assistant Budget Officer of the City Government of Puerto Princesa), and Mylene J. Atienza (in Her Official Capacity as Administrative Officer IV and as Member of the Screening & Evaluation Committee of the City Government of Puerto Princesa) v. Commission on AuditPuerto Princesa City's early separation incentive for employees was an illegal extra retirement plan, but two employees who only certified funds and served on a committee need not refund the money.
- G.R. 256116Feb 2024Main T. Mohammad v. Office of the Secretary, Department of Justice, Menardo I. Guevarra, in His Capacity as Secretary of JusticeA person acquitted by the trial court cannot claim state compensation for unjust imprisonment under Republic Act No. 7309, because the law requires a prior conviction that is later reversed by an acquittal.
- A.M. 23-05-05-SCFeb 2024Request of the Public Attorney'S Office to Delete Section 22, Canon III of the Proposed Code of Professional Responsibility and AccountabilityA lawyer who heads a government office may criticize a Supreme Court rule, but she is punished when she attacks the Court on social media, rallies the public against it, and tells her lawyers to treat the rule as optional.
- A.M. P-14-3223Feb 2024(Formerly Oca Ipi No. 10-3344-P) Leonila v. Beltran Vs. Raineria S. Pabica, Stenographer I/acting Clerk of Court, Municipal Trial Court, Palompon, LeyteA court employee who steers a litigant to a lawyer, takes money in exchange for a favorable decision, and ignores the Supreme Court's orders for years loses her retirement benefits.