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. 268527Jul 2024Erika Karizza T. Polintan,* as Sole Proprietor of Kariz Polintan Atelier v. Arlene C. MalabananAn employee who does work needed in the employer's business is a regular employee, and an employer who leaves a laid-off worker out of work for more than six months after reopening has illegally dismissed her.
- A.C. 10985Jul 2024Atty. Randy Serrano v. Atty. Rose Beatrix Cruz-Angeles and Atty. George Ahmed G. PaglinawanLawyers cannot be punished over Facebook posts unless the complainant proves the posts came from them, and even then posts about a client's case and criticism of officials are protected speech unless shown to be false or malicious.
- G.R. 265123Jul 2024People of the Philippines v. Ronnel Buenafe BercadezA charge for carrying a knife outside one's home under B.P. Blg. 6 must also allege that the carrying was connected with subversion, rebellion, lawless violence, criminality, chaos or public disorder, or the charge can be thrown out.
- G.R. 265481Jul 2024The People of the Philippines v. Xxx265481, Panfilo Delgado Lade, Jr., Reynaldo Logronio dela Torre, Jr.,* and Yyy265481,**; Panfilo Delgado Lade, Jr. and Reynaldo Logronio dela Torre, JrA witness's identification of attackers from a photo gallery at the police station can be trusted if it was made soon after the crime, the witness had a clear view, and the police did not point him to the suspects.
- G.R. 266636Jul 2024Philharbor Ferries and Port Services, Inc. v. Francis C. CarlosA company officer is not personally liable for business losses unless the company proves, with clear and convincing evidence, that he acted in bad faith or with gross negligence.
- G.R. 264260Jul 2024Iloilo I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Ileco I), Iloilo II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Ileco II), and Iloilo III Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Ileco III) v. Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, Energy Regulatory Commission Chairperson Hon. Monalisa C. Dimalanta, the House of Representatives and Senate of the Republic of the Philippines as Component Houses of the Congress of the Philippines, and the More Electric and Power CorporationThe Constitution does not allow exclusive public utility franchises, so Congress may let a new power distributor operate in areas already served by electric cooperatives when it finds that competition serves the common good.
- A.M. P-24-121Jul 2024(Formerly Oca Ipi No. 18-4890-P) Ricky Hao Monion v. Vicente S. Sicat, Jr., Sheriff IV, Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Angeles City, PampangaA court sheriff who lifts a levy on property without a court order, and who already has six past administrative penalties, can be dismissed from service even for a less serious offense like simple neglect of duty.
- A.M. P-24-140Jul 2024(Formerly Jib Fpi No. 22-110-P) Antolyn D. Gonzales v. Dwight Aldwin S. Geronimo, Sheriff IV, Branch 121, Regional Trial Court, Imus, CaviteA court sheriff who used the court's free-mail privilege to send his own personal reply was fined for simple misconduct, but an administrative case cannot find him guilty of the crime of misusing that privilege.
- A.M. P-24-150Jul 2024(Formerly Oca Ipi No. 13-4030-P) Froilan E. Ignacio v. Paul Christopher T. Balading, Sheriff III, Branch 33, Metropolitan Trial Court, Quezon CityA sheriff who seizes goods from someone who is not the judgment debtor, without even demanding payment first, commits grave abuse of authority and can lose his benefits and pay a heavy fine.
- G.R. 258449Jul 2024Juan Juan Olila Ollesca v. Commission on ElectionsThe Commission on Elections cannot call someone a nuisance candidate just because he lacks the money or fame to run a nationwide campaign; it must show with evidence that he has no real intention to run.
- A.M. P-15-3342Jul 2024(Formerly Oca Ipi No. 09-3074-P) Judge Tomas D. Lasam v. Ronald L. Mamauag, Clerk of Court II, Municipal Trial Court, Rizal, CagayanA court clerk who has someone else fill in his attendance logbook for nine months, and whose time records do not match it, is dismissed from the service for serious dishonesty and falsification.
- G.R. 264661Jul 2024Clarylyn a. Legaspi, Romeo R. Domondon, Jr., Bartolome F. Dulatre, Alejandro J. Sison, Nestor M. Jovellanos, Jerryson T. Ico, Roel P. Dinong, Fernando D. Bautista, Babylaine C. Aqui, Grace U. Dulatre, Omar G. Valdez, Reynaldo a. Soquila, Cresencio I. Belamide, Carlo M. Cabaobao, Cristy R. Reynado, Jhon Paul E. Cayabyab, Ruperto P. Boton, Thelma P. Velano, Adelaida v. Boton, Marie Cynara Panay, Oneil C. Jovero, Shekinah Tolentino, Mario Jimenez, Vergel T. Perez, Rachelle Anne Perez, Christopher R. Milanes, Laudemer I. Fabia, Irish Cherry T. Busto, Janlee Rey F. Sabado, Kenneth B. Gotoc, Imelda a. Cueva, and Maricel B. Gotoc Vs. Commission on ElectionsVoters who doubt an election result cannot force the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to recount a whole province on mere suspicion, and they must first make a proper request for information through COMELEC's own process before going to the Supreme Court.
- A.M. 23-04-05-SCJul 2024Re: Illegal Campaign and Activities in Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Central Luzon Allegedly Perpetrated by Atty. Nilo DivinaA lawyer who paid for costly trips for officers of an Integrated Bar of the Philippines region, and the officers who accepted them, were fined PHP 100,000.00 each for simple misconduct, even though the Court found no proof of illegal campaigning.
- G.R. 209449Jul 2024Republic of the Philippines v. National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Register of Deeds – Baguio City, Land Registration Authority, Heirs of Lauro Carantes, Dimson Manila, Inc., Joan L. Gorio, and Certain Jane Does and John DoesBaguio City is outside the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act except for native title, which requires indigenous peoples to still be in actual possession of the land today.
- G.R. 266713Jul 2024George P. Cabreros and Barmel B. Zumel v. Commission on Audit Jessie Mario B. Dosado Vs. Commission on Audit, Hon. Maria Carmen Delos Santos, Hon. Jeannelyn v. Dulay, and State Auditor Jaime v. SerranoArmy procurement officers who acted in good faith, and who received none of the money, do not have to return a disallowed purchase payment, even though the purchase should have gone through public bidding.
- G.R. 239983Jul 2024Republic of the Philippines, Represented by Major General Dionisio R. Santiago, Commanding General of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (Afp) Visayas Command v. Spouses Johnny and Chona YuThe government cannot take title to land it expropriated decades ago if it never proved it paid just compensation and never registered its claim, so buyers holding a valid title keep their property.
- G.R. 265651Jul 2024Tj Lending Investors, Inc., Represented by Ted Joseph B. Punzalan v. Spouses Arthur Ylade and Lita Ylade and the Register of Deeds of ManilaA property cannot be sold on execution for the debt of someone who does not own it, and a land title saying the owner is married does not by itself prove the land belongs to the couple.
- G.R. 221043Jul 2024Nozomi Fortune Services, Inc. v. Celestino a. NaredoA manpower agency is a labor-only contractor, even if it is registered with the labor department and has plenty of money, when it has no tools or equipment tied to the actual job and the client controls the workers.
- G.R. 242296Jul 2024Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board v. Central Mindanao Construction Multi-Purpose Cooperative Rep. by Its Chairman Noel O. Gascon and Harry M. LusterioA contractors' licensing board cannot force cooperatives to turn into corporations by its own resolution, because its rules need the President's approval and the law does not stop cooperatives from doing construction work.
- G.R. 266310Jul 2024Philippine Institute of Petroleum, Inc., Isla Lpg Corporation, Ptt Philippines Corporation and Total (Philippines) Corporation v. Department of EnergyOil companies were not entitled to a court order blocking a Department of Energy circular that makes them report their price details, because the law lets the DOE monitor oil prices and the circular does not fix prices.