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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Navigating COMELEC's Authority: Division vs. En Banc in Pre-Proclamation Disputes
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on COMELEC's division vs. en banc authority in pre-proclamation cases, citing Milla v. Balmores-Laxa.
Safeguarding Suffrage: Residency and Congressional Oversight in Overseas Voting
The Supreme Court upholds overseas absentee voting law, clarifying residency rules, COMELEC's proclamation powers, and limits on congressional oversight.
Integrity of Election Returns: Ensuring Accurate Vote Canvassing in Pre-Proclamation Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when election returns with material defects may be excluded and how canvassing boards must verify ballot integrity.
Limits on Pre-Proclamation Controversies: Challenging Ballot Box Security in the Philippines
The Supreme Court held that missing padlocks on ballot boxes are not a valid pre-proclamation issue, limiting challenges to the face of the election returns.
Failure OF Election VS PRE Proclamation Controversy Safeguarding Electoral Integrity IN THE Armm
Upholding Electoral Due Process: The Illegality of Suspending Proclamation Without Clear Evidence
The Supreme Court rules that suspending a winning candidate's proclamation without due process and clear evidence violates election laws and the people's will.
Reviving Election Mandates: How the Supreme Court Ensured the People's Choice Prevails
Learn how the Supreme Court protected the people's choice by reversing a disqualification and ordering the proclamation of the winning mayoral candidate.
Premature Proclamation and Due Process in Election Contests: Abinal v. COMELEC
The Supreme Court clarifies when COMELEC may order a proclamation while a pre-proclamation appeal is pending, and the limits of due process claims.
Void Proclamation: The Limits of Canvassing Authority and Protecting Electoral Integrity
When may a board of canvassers proclaim a winner despite an appeal? The Supreme Court explains void proclamations under Section 20(i), RA 7166.
Beyond the Ballot: The Limits of Pre-Proclamation Authority in Philippine Elections
Pre-proclamation controversies have strict limits under Philippine election law. This article explains when COMELEC can act and when courts take over.
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.
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.
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.
Ensuring Fair Elections: COMELEC's Authority to Suspend Proclamation Amid Voting Irregularities
The Supreme Court affirms COMELEC's power to suspend a mayor's proclamation when precincts fail to function, protecting voter enfranchisement.
Pre-Proclamation Disputes, Manifest Errors, and COMELEC Rule Suspensions in Philippine Elections
A guide to pre-proclamation disputes, manifest errors, and COMELEC's power to suspend rules, based on Trinidad v. COMELEC.
Election Disqualification Cases After the Polls: What Bagatsing v. COMELEC Means
When a disqualification case is filed after elections, COMELEC must dismiss it and refer it for preliminary investigation, not suspend proclamation.
Disqualification Cases Filed After Elections But Before Proclamation: Bagatsing v. COMELEC
Disqualification complaints filed after elections but before proclamation are dismissed and referred for preliminary investigation, per Bagatsing v. COMELEC.
When Can Election Returns Be Rejected: Pre-Proclamation Controversies in Philippine Elections
Learn when election returns may be excluded from canvassing and why Philippine law limits pre-proclamation controversies to summary proceedings.
SK Election Disputes: Court Jurisdiction After Proclamation Explained
Learn when courts, not election officers, handle SK election disputes after proclamation, based on a 1999 Supreme Court ruling.
Senate Electoral Tribunal Your Sole Remedy After Senatorial Proclamation
After a senatorial proclamation, election contests belong exclusively to the Senate Electoral Tribunal, not the Comelec or courts.
Objections to Election Returns Must Be in Writing: Lessons from Cordero v. Comelec
The Supreme Court explains why written objections and evidence are mandatory in pre-proclamation controversies under RA 7166.
Lost Your Election Protest? Understanding Pre-Proclamation Controversies in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when election protests must be filed, and why pre-proclamation cases end after proclamation.
How Presidential Proclamations Affect Imperfect Land Titles in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when presidential proclamations can defeat claims to public land by long-time occupants.
Election Disqualification Cases: COMELEC's Continuing Jurisdiction After Proclamation
The Supreme Court rules that COMELEC must continue hearing disqualification cases even after a candidate's proclamation, citing Section 6 of RA 6646.