Supreme Court rulings explained
Philippine Supreme Court decisions that changed how a law is applied, explained in plain language.
- AAA v. BBB (2018): Affair Abroad and RA 9262AAA v. BBB explained: a wife in the Philippines may file a VAWC case for anguish caused by her husband's affair abroad, where she lives and suffers it.
- Abbott Laboratories v. Alcaraz (2013): Standards for ProbationAbbott v. Alcaraz explained: when a probationary employee is told the standards for becoming regular, and why breaking company rules cost the employer.
- Acharon v. People (2021): Denial of Support Under RA 9262Acharon v. People explained: failing or being unable to give support is not by itself a VAWC crime. The denial must be willful, to hurt or to control.
- Agabon v. NLRC (2004): Valid Dismissal Without NoticeAgabon v. NLRC explained: a dismissal for a just cause stays valid even without the two notices, but the employer must pay the worker nominal damages.
- Aldovino v. Gold and Green Manpower (2019): OFWs Dismissed on a WhimAldovino v. Gold and Green Manpower explained: OFWs let go without cause or notice, why their quitclaims did not bar the case, and full unexpired pay.
- Aquino v. Aquino (2021): Nonmarital Grandchild May InheritAquino v. Aquino explained: a child whose parents never married may inherit from a grandparent by representation, if filiation is proven.
- Auto Bus Transport v. Bautista (2005): Service Incentive LeaveAuto Bus v. Bautista explained: why a bus driver paid on commission still gets service incentive leave, and when the three years to claim it begin.
- Baksh v. Court of Appeals (1993): A Broken Promise to MarryBaksh v. Court of Appeals explained: a broken promise to marry is not by itself a wrong, but damages may follow under Article 21 if it was a deceit.
- Briones v. Miguel (2004): Custody of an Illegitimate ChildBriones v. Miguel explained: the mother has sole parental authority and custody of an illegitimate child, and the father's recognition gives no custody.
- Causing v. People (2023): Cyber Libel Prescribes in One YearCausing v. People explained: the 2023 ruling that cyber libel prescribes in one year, counted from discovery of the post, abandoning the 15-year rule.
- Chi Ming Tsoi v. Court of Appeals (1997): Refusal of IntimacyChi Ming Tsoi v. Court of Appeals explained: why a senseless, protracted refusal of sexual relations in marriage was held to be psychological incapacity.
- Colinares v. People (2011): Probation After a Lower Penalty on AppealColinares v. People explained: an accused who appealed may still apply for probation when the appeal court lowers the penalty to one that allows it.
- Corpuz v. Sto. Tomas (2010): Registering a Foreign DivorceCorpuz v. Sto. Tomas explained: a foreign spouse may ask a Philippine court to recognize a divorce, and registering it without court recognition is void.
- Disini v. Secretary of Justice (2014): Cybercrime Law and Online LibelDisini v. Secretary of Justice explained: cyber libel applies only to the author of a post, not to those who react, and three cybercrime rules were voided.
- Duncan Association v. Glaxo Wellcome (2004): Spouse at a Rival CompanyDuncan v. Glaxo explained: why a drug company could bar staff from relationships with rival employees, and why a transfer was not constructive dismissal.
- Elburg v. Quiogue (2015): Rules for Seafarer Disability ClaimsElburg v. Quiogue explained: the four rules on the 120-day and 240-day periods, why a late fit-to-work finding failed, and when disability is permanent.
- Fujiki v. Marinay (2013): Recognizing a Foreign Judgment on MarriageFujiki v. Marinay explained: how a foreign court judgment voiding a bigamous marriage is recognized in the Philippines through a Rule 108 petition.
- Garcia v. Drilon (2013): RA 9262 Is ConstitutionalGarcia v. Drilon explained: why the Supreme Court said the Anti-VAWC law does not discriminate against men and why protection orders are valid.
- Go-Tan v. Spouses Tan (2008): VAWC Against In-LawsGo-Tan v. Spouses Tan explained: why parents-in-law may be included in a VAWC protection order petition when they allegedly conspired with the husband.
- Goodrich Manufacturing v. Ativo (2010): When a Quitclaim HoldsGoodrich v. Ativo explained: the four requisites of a valid quitclaim, the Periquet rule it quoted, and why workers who resigned lost their claims.
- Grande v. Antonio (2014): Father Cannot Force His SurnameGrande v. Antonio explained: an illegitimate child may use the father's surname but cannot be forced to, and the mother keeps custody unless she is unfit.
- Homeowners Savings v. Dailo (2005): Mortgage Without SpouseHomeowners Savings v. Dailo explained: a mortgage of conjugal property made by one spouse without the other's written consent is void as a whole.
- Honda Phils. v. Samahan (2005): 13th Month Pay ProrationHonda v. Samahan explained: why an employer could not cut 13th month pay for the month workers were on strike, and when 13th month pay is prorated.
- Inmates of New Bilibid Prison v. De Lima (2019): Retroactive GCTAInmates of New Bilibid Prison v. De Lima explained: the 2019 ruling that the GCTA law of 2013 applies retroactively, so allowances must be re-computed.
- Intod v. Court of Appeals (1992): An Impossible CrimeIntod v. Court of Appeals explained: shots fired into an empty bedroom were an impossible crime, not attempted murder, and what penalty the Court set.
- Ivler v. Modesto-San Pedro (2010): One Careless Act, One CaseIvler v. Modesto-San Pedro explained: one reckless act is one offense, so a driver convicted for one injury from a crash cannot be tried again for a death.
- Jaka Food Processing v. Pacot (2005): Authorized Cause Without NoticeJaka v. Pacot explained: a retrenchment for proven losses stays valid without the one-month notice, but the employer pays higher nominal damages.
- Lara's Gifts & Decors v. Midtown Industrial Sales (2019)Lara's Gifts v. Midtown explained: the 2019 and 2022 rulings on agreed interest, compounding, unconscionable rates and the 6% legal interest rate.
- Leus v. St. Scholastica's College (2015): Pregnancy Outside MarriageLeus v. St. Scholastica's explained: why a school employee's pregnancy before marriage was not immoral conduct, and why her dismissal was illegal.
- Lim-Lua v. Lua (2013): Support Pending the CaseLim-Lua v. Lua explained: only expenses tied to the support a court ordered can be deducted from unpaid support, not gifts like cars for the children.
- Marcos v. Marcos (2000): No Personal Medical Examination RequiredMarcos v. Marcos explained: a spouse need not be examined by a doctor to prove psychological incapacity, but abuse and abandonment alone were not enough.
- Masbate v. Relucio (2018): Illegitimate Child and GrandparentsMasbate v. Relucio explained: the tender-age rule protects illegitimate children too, and a father who cared for the child may still get his day in court.
- Nacar v. Gallery Frames (2013): 6% Legal InterestNacar v. Gallery Frames explained: the 2013 ruling that cut legal interest from 12% to 6% a year from July 1, 2013, and the rules on when it runs.
- Niñal v. Bayadog (2000): Five Years of Living TogetherNiñal v. Bayadog explained: the five years of living together that excuse a couple from a marriage license must be free of any legal impediment.
- Pablo-Gualberto v. Gualberto V (2005): Tender-Age PresumptionPablo-Gualberto v. Gualberto explained: a child under 7 stays with the mother unless the father proves a compelling reason, such as harm to the child.
- People v. Genosa (2004): Battered Woman SyndromePeople v. Genosa explained: how the Supreme Court weighed battered woman syndrome as self-defense, why the defense failed, and why the penalty was cut.
- People v. Jugueta (2016): Uniform Damages in Crimes Resulting in DeathPeople v. Jugueta explained: the 2016 ruling that set standard civil indemnity, moral, exemplary and temperate damages for murder and homicide cases.
- Prubankers Association v. Prudential Bank (1999): Wage DistortionPrubankers v. Prudential Bank explained: the four elements of wage distortion, and why higher pay in one region under a wage order was not a distortion.
- Pulido v. People (2021): Void First Marriage as a Bigamy DefensePulido v. People explained: a person charged with bigamy can prove that the first marriage was void even without a prior court declaration of nullity.
- Quimen v. Court of Appeals (1996): Right of WayQuimen v. Court of Appeals explained: a right of way goes where it causes the least damage, even if a shorter path exists, as in a store versus a tree.
- Republic v. Albios (2013): Marriage for Immigration Is ValidRepublic v. Albios explained: a marriage entered into only to get foreign citizenship is still valid, because the couple really consented to be married.
- Republic v. Cagandahan (2008): Intersex Person and Civil RegistryRepublic v. Cagandahan explained: why the Court allowed an intersex person with CAH to change the sex entry and first name in the birth certificate.
- Republic v. Manalo (2018): Divorce Filed by the Filipino SpouseRepublic v. Manalo explained: a Filipino who obtains a divorce abroad against a foreign spouse can have it recognized here, if the foreign law is proven.
- Republic v. Court of Appeals and Molina (1997): the Molina GuidelinesRepublic v. Court of Appeals and Molina explained: the 1997 guidelines on psychological incapacity, and which of them Tan-Andal later changed.
- Republic v. Orbecido III (2005): Spouse Who Became a ForeignerRepublic v. Orbecido III explained: a Filipino can remarry after a spouse who became a foreign citizen gets a divorce abroad, once the facts are proven.
- Sameer Overseas Placement Agency v. Cabiles (2014)Sameer v. Cabiles explained: the 2014 ruling that an illegally dismissed OFW gets salary for the whole unexpired contract, not a three-month cap.
- Seangio v. Reyes (2006): A Handwritten DisinheritanceSeangio v. Reyes explained: a handwritten paper disinheriting a son was a holographic will, there was no preterition, and probate could not be skipped.
- Serrano v. Gallant Maritime (2009): OFW Pay for the Unexpired TermSerrano v. Gallant Maritime explained: the 2009 ruling that struck down the three-month cap on the salary owed to an illegally dismissed OFW.
- Sicam v. Jorge (2007): A Pawnshop Robbery Is Not a Fortuitous EventSicam v. Jorge explained: why a pawnshop robbed while its vault was open had to pay for the pawned jewelry, and the four elements of a fortuitous event.
- Silverio v. Republic (2007): Sex Entry in the Birth CertificateSilverio v. Republic explained: why the Court refused to change the first name and sex entry in a birth certificate after sex reassignment surgery.
- Sonza v. ABS-CBN (2004): Talent or Employee?Sonza v. ABS-CBN explained: the four-fold test, why control matters most, and why a TV and radio host was held an independent contractor, not an employee.
- Star Paper v. Simbol (2006): A No-Spouse PolicyStar Paper v. Simbol explained: why a rule forcing one of two married co-workers to resign was struck down, and the reasonable business necessity test.
- Tan-Andal v. Andal (2021): Psychological Incapacity RedefinedTan-Andal v. Andal explained: the 2021 ruling that psychological incapacity is not a mental illness and that an expert is no longer required.
- Valenzuela v. People (2007): No Frustrated TheftValenzuela v. People explained: theft is consummated once the thief takes possession, so there is no frustrated theft under the Revised Penal Code.
- Vergara v. Hammonia Maritime (2008): The 120 and 240 DaysVergara v. Hammonia explained: the 120-day and 240-day periods for seafarer treatment, the company doctor's role, and why a fit-to-work finding stood.
- Vivares v. St. Theresa's College (2014): Facebook Photos and PrivacyVivares v. St. Theresa's College explained: why Friends Only Facebook photos shown to a school by classmates did not support a writ of habeas data.
- Wassmer v. Velez (1964): The Groom Who Did Not ComeWassmer v. Velez explained: why a groom who walked out two days before a formally set wedding had to pay damages under Article 21 of the Civil Code.
General information, not legal advice. For your case, ask a lawyer, the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) or the agency.
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