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. 259992Nov 2024Department of Budget and Management Procurement Service v. Jac Automobile International Philippines, IncA government head of procurement cannot cancel a bidding just by saying the project will not benefit the government; the reason must be shown and explained.
- G.R. 265223Nov 2024Noe R. Pagarao, Jr. and Rebecca Caballa v. Immaculada T. TrinidadA landowner cannot use an unlawful detainer case against someone who entered her land without her permission, even if she later tolerated their stay.
- A.C. 11889Nov 2024Re: * Dated August 30, 2017 in Omb-C-C-13-0357, Etc. v. Atty. Editha P. Talaboc, Atty. Delfin R. Agcaoili, Jr., and Atty. Mark S. OliverosLawyers accused of letting others use their notarial seals are not punished without real proof, but lawyers who ignore the Integrated Bar's orders can be penalised for that.
- G.R. 261627Nov 2024Godofredo v. Arquiza Vs. People of the PhilippinesStatements made in a petition filed before a quasi-judicial body such as the COMELEC are absolutely privileged and cannot be the basis of a libel conviction, if they meet certain tests.
- G.R. 232581Nov 2024National Electrification Administration, Represented by Its Administrator, Edgardo R. Masongsong v. Oscar C. Borja and Venancio B. ReguladoThe National Electrification Administration cannot, through its own memorandum, make electric cooperative directors automatically resigned once they file certificates of candidacy, because no law gives it that power.
- G.R. 249832Nov 2024People of the Philippines v. Monico BadilloA killing is only homicide, not murder, unless the prosecution proves that the attacker deliberately chose a method of attack that left the victim no chance to defend himself.
- G.R. 254046Nov 2024Spouses Orencio S. Manalese and Eloisa B. Manalese, and Aries B. Manalese v. the Estate of the Late Spouses Narciso and Ofelia Ferreras, Represented by Its Special Administrator, Danilo S. FerrerasA buyer of titled land who ignores red flags in the seller's title and in the Registry of Deeds records is not an innocent purchaser, and the true registered owner gets the property back.
- G.R. 234694Nov 2024Mario Geraldo Tan, Oscar Jingapo Lopez, Glenn Biancingo Castillo, Perlita Gemperoa Jumapao, and Sofronio Tillor Magdadaro v. People of the PhilippinesManagers of a government-owned corporation can be tried by the Sandiganbayan even if their salary grade is below 27, and a procurement-law offense committed in relation to their office is within that court's reach.
- A.M. P-24-179Nov 2024Michelle C. Soloria v. Alberto R. David, Utility Worker I, Municipal Circuit Trial Court, Alcala-Bautista, Alcala, PangasinanA court employee who openly admits having relationships with women other than his legal wife, and shows no remorse, can be dismissed from the service for gross immorality.
- A.C. 13959Nov 2024Maria Charisse Ann Sucgang-Perez,* v. Atty. Ma. Aurora Paredes Sore-RomanoA lawyer who is dishonest with a client, files a defective petition that gets dismissed, ignores the client's requests for updates and defies the IBP can be suspended for five years and fined.
- G.R. 269372Nov 2024Ryan M. Sumile v. People of the PhilippinesA parent who beats up and threatens another person's child at school commits child abuse, even if he was angry because his own son had been hit.
- G.R. 260547Nov 2024Xxx260547,* v. People of the PhilippinesA man convicted under the Anti-VAWC law was acquitted because the charge sheet never said his wife suffered mental or emotional anguish, so it did not properly charge a crime.
- G.R. 254757Nov 2024Dominador T. Villanueva, Jr., Edmundo L. Yasay, Edgardo M. Adalia, et al. v. Sugar Regulatory Administration, Represented by Its Administrator and Board of Directors, Governance Commission for Government Owned and Controlled Corporations, Represented by Its Chairman and Board of Commissioners, and Department of Budget and Management, Represented by Its Department SecretaryGovernment employees who retired under an approved early retirement program are entitled to their retirement benefits, and the agencies involved must process and release them even after years of delay.
- G.R. 265579Nov 2024Joel Pancho Bigcas v. Court of Appeals and People of the PhilippinesA barangay councilor who took PHP 200.00 for fare to check an applicant's permit, and meant to treat it as a loan, was acquitted of graft because he had no dishonest purpose.
- A.C. 11478Nov 2024Spouses Andre and Ma. Fatima Chambon v. Atty. Christopher S. RuizThe Court forgave a lawyer's lifetime ban from being a notary public because he showed remorse and community service and the ban was too harsh under current rules.
- G.R. 256649Nov 2024Romeo Ilao y Argente v. People of the PhilippinesA search warrant must describe the place to be searched so clearly that police cannot pick the house themselves, and evidence from a defective search cannot convict.
- G.R. 270174Nov 2024People of the Philippines v. Peter Gerald Scully a.k.a. "Peter Russell" a.k.a "Peter Riddel" and Carme Ann Alvarez a.k.a. "Honey Sweet" a.k.a. "Sweet Sweet"Luring and keeping children for sexual exploitation is qualified trafficking in persons, and an accused who keeps delaying the trial can be treated as having given up the right to present a defense.
- G.R. 263811Nov 2024Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Fort 1 Global City Center, IncTax assessments are void if the BIR's notices were handed to people whose authority to receive them for the taxpayer was never checked, even if the taxpayer later protested.
- G.R. 242255Nov 2024Province of Sulu, Duly Represented by Its Governor, Abdusakur a. Tan II Philippine Association of Islamic Accountants , Inc., Represented by Its President, Amanoding D. Esmail, Cpa, et al.; Governor Esmael G. Mangudadatu, et al.; and Algamar a. Latiph, et al.-in-Intervention; v. Hon. Salvador C. Medialdea, in His Capacity as Executive Secretary; Honorable Eduardo M. año, in His Capacity as Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Interior and Local Government; the Honorable Senate of the Philippines; the Honorable House of Representatives; the Honorable Commission on Elections; Honorable Jesus G. Dureza, in His Capacity as Secretary of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process; Bangsamoro Transition Commission; and Moro Islamic Liberation Front Philippine Constitution Association Vs. Senate of the Philippines, Represented by Senate President Honorable Vicente Sotto III; House of Representatives, Represented by Speaker Honorable Gloria Macapagal Arroyo; and Office of the President, Represented by Executive Secretary Honorable Salvador Medialdea Cong. Abdullah D. Dimaporo and Cong. Mohamad Khalid Q. Dimaporo Vs. Commission on Elections , as Represented by Hon. Chairperson Sheriff AbasThe Supreme Court finally refused to reverse its ruling that the Province of Sulu is not part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, because Sulu's people voted against the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
- G.R. 255466Nov 2024Bbb255466,* v. People of the PhilippinesA man who kept beating and threatening his live-in partner, and who touched his seven-year-old daughter sexually, was convicted of both offenses, with the penalties adjusted by the Supreme Court.