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 Protest Costs: The Supreme Court Ruling on Retention Fees for Election Equipment
The Supreme Court explains why the Senate Electoral Tribunal cannot rule on contract validity in election protest cost disputes.
Electoral Tribunals and Nuisance Candidates: Jurisdiction After Proclamation
The Supreme Court clarifies that the HRET cannot declare a candidate a nuisance candidate once the COMELEC's ruling has become final.
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.
Party List Registration Misrepresentation and the Right to Representation
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal, not the COMELEC, has jurisdiction over congressional election disputes.
Upholding Electoral Tribunals Discretion Respecting THE Voters Intent IN Contested Ballots
A 3-3 Comelec en banc vote has no legal effect; the case must be reheard, the Supreme Court rules.
Electoral Tribunals Authority Challenging A Legislators Qualifications After Proclamation
The Supreme Court clarifies that once a congressional candidate is proclaimed, only the HRET, not COMELEC, may rule on qualifications.
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.
HRET Discretion vs Due Process: Protecting the Electorate's Will
When can the House Electoral Tribunal compel a candidate to continue a counter-protest? The Supreme Court explains the limits of judicial review.
Electoral Tribunals Exclusive Jurisdiction Challenging Congressional Elections After Proclamation
The Supreme Court clarifies the boundary between COMELEC's jurisdiction over election annulment and the exclusive authority of electoral tribunals over election contests.
Senate Electoral Tribunal Jurisdiction Ensuring Due Process in Senatorial Election Protests
Barbers v. COMELEC clarifies that the Senate Electoral Tribunal has sole jurisdiction over post-proclamation senatorial election contests.
Correcting Election Returns: The Presidential Electoral Tribunal's Authority to Rectify Manifest Errors
The PET may correct manifest errors in election returns and certificates of canvass as part of its constitutional mandate to judge election contests.
Death and Election Protests: Can a Widow Substitute for a Deceased Protestant?
The Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, ruled on whether a widow could substitute for her deceased husband in a presidential election protest.
Electoral Tribunals Discretion Ensuring Equal Protection IN Election Protests
Supreme Court clarifies when electoral tribunals may grant technical examination in election protests without violating equal protection.
Proportional Representation in Electoral Tribunals: The Pimentel Case
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling on proportional representation of party-list groups in the HRET and Commission on Appointments.
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.
Navigating Philippine Election Disputes Understanding Comelec AND Hret Jurisdiction
A clear guide to the division of authority between the Commission on Elections and the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal in election contests.
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.