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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Election Protests: Why Following Court Procedure Is Crucial for Victory
A barangay election protest teaches a hard lesson: procedural lapses, not ballot issues, can cost a candidate the win.
Judicial Accountability and the Limits of Inhibition Motions in Election Protests
The Supreme Court clarifies when judges must inhibit and why delay claims alone cannot prove bias in election cases.
Understanding Judicial Impartiality: Bias and Inhibition in Philippine Election Protests
The Supreme Court clarifies the standards for judicial inhibition in election protests, explaining what bias truly means and why rulings must not be mistaken for prejudice.
Perfecting Appeals in Election Protests: Timely Payment of Appeal Fees
The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on appeal fees in election protests, emphasizing timely payment and the limits on damages.
Perfecting Appeals in Election Protests: Payment Deadlines and Damage Awards
Supreme Court clarifies COMELEC appeal fee deadlines under Resolution 8486 and limits damages in election protests to actual or compensatory damages.
Challenging Election Results AND Preserving Voter Intent
Challenging election results is a legal process governed by strict rules. This article explains the requirements for election protests and how courts balance ballot integrity with voter intent.
Comelec Divisions, Jurisdiction, and Preliminary Injunctions in Election Protests
The Supreme Court clarifies when a Comelec division's interlocutory order may be assailed via certiorari and the validity of Special Divisions.
Barangay Election Protests: Finality of Decisions and Execution Pending Appeal
The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on execution pending appeal in barangay election protests, emphasizing finality and proper procedure.
Due Process in Philippine Election Protests: Ensuring Fair Notice and Participation
Philippine election protest rules require due process—fair notice and participation—before any electoral outcome is overturned.
Ballot Image Integrity and Electronic Evidence in Philippine Election Protests
Supreme Court ruling on ballot images as electronic evidence in election protests under RA 9369 and the Rules on Electronic Evidence.
Breaking the Chain: How Election Protests Can Interrupt the Three-Term Limit
The Supreme Court clarifies when an election protest breaks the three-term limit rule for local officials, using Mayor Abundo's case.
Suffrage and Procedure: Upholding the Electorate’s Will Despite Technicalities in Election Protests
The Supreme Court ruled that votes for a nuisance candidate with a similar surname must be counted for the bona fide candidate, protecting voter intent.
Timeliness and Sufficiency in Election Protests: Balancing Procedure and Substance
A look at Lloren v. COMELEC on appeal fee deadlines, motion fees, and the mandatory requirements for a valid election protest.
Timeliness Matters: Appealing Election Protests and the Strict Application of Procedural Rules
The Supreme Court ruled that late appeals in election protests are fatal, even when the trial court erred on venue.
Finality Prevails Reaffirming HRET Discretion in Electoral Protests
Supreme Court affirms HRET's discretion in ballot revision and upholds finality of judgments in election protests.
When Election Returns Override Ballots in Philippine Election Protests
Philippine Supreme Court explains when election returns may be used instead of ballots in determining election protest winners.
Due Process in Election Protests: The Importance of Timely Evidence Presentation
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that due process in election protests means a reasonable opportunity to be heard—not unlimited time to present evidence.
Status Quo Orders in Election Protests: COMELEC’s Power to Enjoin Execution Pending Appeal
Learn how the Supreme Court affirmed COMELEC’s authority to maintain status quo and stop execution pending appeal in election protests.
Electoral Integrity: COMELEC Division Authority and Ballot Preservation in Election Protests
A 2010 Supreme Court ruling on COMELEC division jurisdiction, ballot integrity, and the proper conduct of election protests.
Upholding Electoral Mandates: Respecting Trial Court Decisions in Election Protests
The Supreme Court rules that COMELEC gravely abused its discretion in setting aside a trial court's execution pending appeal in an election protest.
Handwriting Analysis and Election Disputes: Protecting the Sanctity of the Ballot
The Supreme Court clarifies when handwriting analysis may invalidate ballots in election protests, stressing that no two persons write alike.
Ballot Integrity Prevails: Rules for Correctly Counting Barangay Election Votes
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies appeal fee rules and ballot appreciation standards in barangay election protests, ensuring voter intent prevails.
Perfecting Appeals in Election Protests: Clarifying Appeal Fee Payment Rules
When is an election protest appeal perfected? The Supreme Court clarifies the appeal fee rules in Pacanan v. Comelec.
Election Protests: The Crucial Role of Ballot Examination and the Limits of COMELEC En Banc Review
The Supreme Court clarifies when ballot revision is mandatory in election protests and why only final Division orders reach the COMELEC En Banc.