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. 268123Feb 2026Spouses 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.
- G.R. 272080Feb 2026Gilbert 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.
- G.R. 269085Feb 2026Frian 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.
- G.R. 269039-41Feb 2026Felix 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.
- G.R. 277049Feb 2026Philippine 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.
- G.R. 216882Feb 2026Marilyn 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.
- G.R. 260539Feb 2026Hector 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.
- G.R. 226945Feb 2026Commissioner 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.
- G.R. 272859Feb 2026Allan 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.
- G.R. 268971Feb 2026People 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.
- G.R. 268486Feb 2026People 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.
- G.R. 278240Feb 2026People 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.
- G.R. 271354Feb 2026Spouses 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.
- G.R. 265600Feb 2026Wilfredo 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.
- G.R. 262653Feb 2026Republic 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.
- DecisionFeb 2026G.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.
- G.R. 267620Feb 2026Petronilo 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.
- G.R. 272830Feb 2026Herlyn 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.
- G.R. 263812Feb 2026Mercury 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.
- G.R. 268658Feb 2026Roberto 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.