Legal Insights
Plain-language guides and case briefs on Philippine law — researched from the firm's law library of 184,000+ statutes, Supreme Court decisions, and agency issuances, and written so non-lawyers can understand and act on them.
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Marked Ballots in Philippine Elections: When Stray Marks Invalidate a Vote
Philippine election law invalidates ballots with deliberate identifying marks, but accidental or third-party markings may still be valid. Learn the rules.
Election Protest Dismissed: Filing Fees, Verification, and Forum Shopping Pitfalls in Philippine Courts
Supreme Court ruling on how unpaid filing fees, defective verification, and non-disclosure in forum shopping certification can doom an election protest.
Upholding Election Integrity Consequences OF Judicial Errors AND Gross Ignorance OF THE LAW
A judge's mishandling of a bail hearing in a murder case leads to a fine for gross ignorance of the law.
Dual Citizenship and Election in the Philippines: Clarifying Qualifications for Public Office
The Supreme Court clarifies when dual citizenship disqualifies a candidate and how filing a certificate of candidacy can cure it.
Failure of Election Petitions in the Philippines: What the Law Requires
Failure of election is a narrow remedy under Philippine law. Learn the grounds, the limits, and how Banaga v. COMELEC clarifies the rules.
COMELEC vs. HRET Jurisdiction: When Election Disputes Shift to the Electoral Tribunal
Learn when COMELEC loses jurisdiction over House election contests and the HRET becomes the sole judge of a member's election, returns, and qualifications.
Upholding Election Officer Reassignments: Balancing Independence and Preventing Familiarity
The Supreme Court upheld Section 44 of RA 8189, which limits election officers to four years per station to ensure impartiality.
Expediting Election Protests: The Ministerial Duty to Examine Ballots in Philippine Law
When election fraud is alleged, courts must immediately open ballot boxes and recount votes. Learn the rule from Miguel v. COMELEC.
Right to Photocopy Ballots in Philippine Election Protests: Due Process and Fair Elections
A look at the Supreme Court's ruling on a COMELEC order declaring a ghost precinct, and the due process rights of voters in election protests.
Correcting Manifest Errors in Election Returns: The Angelia Case
How COMELEC can correct obvious tallying errors in election returns even after proclamation, and why due process still matters.
Protecting Electoral Integrity: When Delaying Tactics in Election Protests Fail
The Supreme Court rules that dilatory motions in election protests undermine the will of voters and will not be countenanced.
Recall Elections: Defining the Process and Protecting Local Governance Stability
The Supreme Court clarifies when recall elections may be held under the Local Government Code, balancing accountability with stability.
Finality of Comelec Resolutions in Election Offense Cases: Reconsideration and Judicial Review
When is a Comelec resolution final in election offense cases? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on reconsideration and judicial review.
Ballot Interpretation Upholding Voter Intent in Philippine Elections
How the Supreme Court applied the neighborhood, idem sonans, and intent rules to uphold voter intent in a barangay election protest.
Election Contests: Balancing Procedural Rules and the Will of the Electorate
The Supreme Court rules that technical rules on forum shopping should not defeat the people's choice in election contests.
Pre-Proclamation Controversies: Examining Election Returns on Their Face
A pre-proclamation controversy is limited to examining election returns on their face. Learn from Sebastian v. COMELEC.
When RTCs Overstep Jurisdiction in Barangay Election Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies that only the COMELEC, not the RTC, may hear certiorari cases arising from barangay election protests.
Election Law Violation: Transferring Employees Without Comelec Approval
Supreme Court clarifies that transferring or reassigning government employees during election period without COMELEC approval violates election law.
Electoral Integrity Safeguarding Votes Against Tampering And Manipulation
The Supreme Court ruled that glaring vote discrepancies in election returns, certificates of canvass, and statements of votes constitute probable cause for election offenses under RA 6646.
Disqualification for Terrorism, Direct Participation, and Spousal Liability in Elections
A wife-candidate can be disqualified for election terrorism committed by her husband when evidence shows her direct participation or acquiescence.
Exit Polls and Free Speech: The ABS-CBN v. Comelec Ruling
The Supreme Court struck down Comelec's total ban on exit polls, affirming that free speech and press freedoms protect election-day surveys.
When Family Ties Meet Election Law: Disqualification for Acts of Terrorism
A spouse can be disqualified from office for election terrorism committed by her husband when the acts enhance her candidacy.
Safeguarding Due Process in Election Disputes: The Limits of COMELEC's Power
A look at how the Supreme Court defined the boundaries of COMELEC's authority in election contests, ensuring due process.
Safeguarding Due Process in Election Proclamation Disputes: The Importance of Notice and Hearing
Learn how the Supreme Court protects due process in election contests, emphasizing notice and hearing before proclamation.