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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Suffrage Safeguards: Upholding Election Integrity Through Specificity and Evidence in Electoral Protests
The PET dismissed Marcos Jr.'s 2016 VP election protest, affirming Robredo's victory and underscoring the strict rules on specificity and evidence in election contests.
Quorum Quandaries: Questioning Corporate Meeting Legitimacy Beyond Election Contests
When does a challenge to a corporate meeting's validity become an election contest? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of the 15-day rule.
The Doctrine of Mootness: Resolving Association Election Disputes Beyond Expired Terms
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when election contests become moot after officers' terms expire, and the exceptions to the mootness doctrine.
HRET Quorum Rules on Justices and Jurisdiction Upheld as Constitutional
The Supreme Court upholds HRET rules requiring a Justice for quorum and clarifies jurisdiction over House members' election contests.
Election Contests and the 15-Day Rule: Eizmendi v. Fernandez on Corporate Governance
The Supreme Court clarifies that indirect attacks on corporate elections violate the 15-day reglementary period for election contests under the Interim Rules.
CIBAC Party-List Dispute: Resolving Authority Over Nominees and Electoral Contest Jurisdiction
Supreme Court settles who may validly nominate party-list representatives and clarifies when the HRET, not COMELEC, has jurisdiction over election contests.
Upholding Corporate Meeting Validity Proxy Rights AND Timeliness IN Intra Corporate Disputes
Supreme Court rules on proxy rights, notice requirements, and the 15-day prescriptive period for election contests in intra-corporate disputes.
Prescription in Intra-Corporate Disputes: The 15-Day Rule for Election Contests
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that actions to nullify stockholders' meetings and elections are election contests subject to the 15-day prescriptive period.
Election Contests and Jurisdiction: When the HRET Takes Over from COMELEC
The Supreme Court explains why election contests involving proclaimed congressional winners belong exclusively to the HRET, not the courts.
Electoral Tribunal Jurisdiction: Proclamation Is the Decisive Factor in Election Contests
The Supreme Court clarifies that once a congressional candidate is proclaimed, the HRET, not the COMELEC, has sole jurisdiction over election contests.
Can a Second-Placer Win After a Substitute Candidate Is Disqualified? The Talaga Case
A substitute candidate cannot replace a disqualified candidate whose certificate of candidacy was cancelled. Learn what this means for election contests.
The PET Is Constitutional: Supreme Court Upholds Its Power Over Presidential Election Contests
The Supreme Court affirms the Presidential Electoral Tribunal's constitutionality, explaining how the Constitution grants it sole jurisdiction over presidential election contests.
Presidential Electoral Tribunal: Constitutionality and Powers Explained
Understand the PET's constitutional basis, its powers as sole judge of presidential election contests, and what Macalintal v. PET means for Philippine election law.
Protecting THE Integrity OF Ballots THE Imperative OF Evidence IN Philippine Election Contests
Integrity of Ballots vs Election Returns: Safeguarding the Electoral Process
Explaining Varias v. COMELEC on when ballots may override election returns in Philippine election contests.
Perfecting Appeals in Election Cases: Clarifying Appeal Fee Requirements
Supreme Court clarifies appeal fee rules in barangay election contests, distinguishing the P1,000 court fee from the P3,200 COMELEC fee.
Execution Pending Appeal in Barangay Election Contests: The San Miguel v. Comelec Rule
Supreme Court clarifies the timing rules for execution pending appeal in barangay election contests under Section 11, Rule 14.
Execution Pending Appeal: Clarifying the Timeline for Election Contests in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may issue execution pending appeal in election contests, resolving a common procedural misunderstanding.
Safeguarding Election Integrity and Due Process in COMELEC's Ballot Appreciation
The Supreme Court clarifies when COMELEC's internal ballot appreciation requires notice and how due process applies in election contests.
Mootness in Election Contests: When Expiration of Term Ends the Legal Fight
Expiration of an elective office's term can render an election contest moot. Learn the rule from Baldo v. COMELEC.
Execution Pending Appeal in Election Protests: Court Personnel Cannot Exercise Judicial Discretion
Supreme Court clarifies that court personnel cannot exercise judicial discretion in granting execution pending appeal in election contests.
Execution Pending Appeal in Election Protests: The Pecson v. COMELEC Standard
The Supreme Court clarifies when trial courts may order execution pending appeal in election contests, and when COMELEC commits grave abuse of discretion in nullifying such orders.
Upholding Comelec's Authority: Finality of Election Contest Decisions for Municipal Mayors
The Supreme Court affirms the finality of Comelec decisions in election contests for municipal mayors, clarifying jurisdictional boundaries.
Losing the Right to Appeal: The Importance of Following Election Rules in Electric Cooperatives
A Supreme Court ruling on election contests shows why strict compliance with procedural rules in electric cooperative elections is non-negotiable.