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.
Reinstatement After Election Protest: Oath of Office Not Always Required
Supreme Court clarifies when a reinstated local official need not retake the oath to validly reassume office after an election protest.
Electoral Protests: COMELEC's Power to Correct Errors and the Essence of Due Process
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on COMELEC's authority to correct canvass errors and what due process truly requires in election cases.
Annulment of Elections vs Election Protests: What Macabago v. COMELEC Teaches Us
The Supreme Court clarifies when election fraud claims belong in an election protest, not an annulment case.
Failure of Election Grounds and Remedies in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies the limited grounds for declaring a failure of election and why election protests, not annulment, address fraud claims.
Safeguarding Suffrage: Due Process and Valid Service of Summons in Election Protests
A look at Sandoval v. HRET, where the Supreme Court nullified defective substituted service of summons, upholding due process in election contests.
Waiver in Election Protests: Demurrer to Evidence Implies Loss of Right to Present Own Evidence
Filing a demurrer to evidence in an election protest waives the protestee's right to present evidence, even if the demurrer is denied.
Valid Votes Are King: Why Philippine Election Protests Hinge on Ballots, Not Badges of Fraud
The Supreme Court nullified a trial court ruling that set aside valid vote tallies based on "badges of fraud," reaffirming that plurality of valid votes decides election contests.
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.
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.
Contractor's Tax Assessments: Prescription Periods and Gross Receipts Rules
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on tax assessment prescription periods, contractor's tax on security agency gross receipts, and protest deadlines under the NIRC.
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.
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.
Deadline Missed: Understanding Election Protest Filing Periods in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when the 10-day period to file an election protest is suspended, and when it is not.
Why Initial COMELEC Election Cases Must Be Decided by a Division, Not En Banc
Learn why the Supreme Court nullified a COMELEC en banc ruling in an SK election protest, citing the constitutional rule on divisions.
When Fraud in Election Returns Does Not Justify a Declaration of Failed Election
Philippine Supreme Court explains when election fraud warrants a failure of election declaration versus an election protest.
Filing Fees in Philippine Election Protests: Jurisdictional Rules and Timelines
Philippine election protest filing fees are jurisdictional. Late payment does not cure defects. Learn the rules and deadlines.
Exhausting Administrative Remedies: A Key Principle in Philippine Labor Disputes
Why skipping the appeal to the Labor Secretary doomed a union's election protest before the Supreme Court.
Limits of Protest Striking Teachers and the Public Interest in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on teacher strikes, free assembly limits, and public interest in education.
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.
Election Protests Ensuring Fair Canvassing AND Valid Proclamations
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on election protests, canvassing irregularities, and the validity of proclamations in electoral disputes.
Pre-Proclamation Disputes: When Election Cases End at the Start of Term
Learn how Philippine law terminates pre-proclamation cases at the start of term, and when the remedy shifts to an election protest.
Pre-Proclamation Controversies: Valid Objections vs Election Protests in the Philippines
Learn when ballot objections belong in pre-proclamation cases or election protests, based on Patoray v. COMELEC.
Execution Pending Appeal in Philippine Election Protests: When Can a Winner Take Office Early
Learn when Philippine courts allow execution pending appeal in election protests, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Lindo v. COMELEC.