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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Residency Rules in Election Law: Limbona v. Comelec on Disqualification
A look at Limbona v. Comelec on one-year residency, domicile rules, and finality of disqualification rulings.
Residency Requirements for Philippine Elections: Establishing Domicile for Candidacy
Philippine election law equates residency with domicile. Learn the three rules and what it takes to change domicile for candidacy.
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.
Second Chance Appeals: COMELEC's Duty to Allow Correction of Election Fee Payments
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when corporate officers may be held personally liable for a corporation's unpaid obligations under the Corporation Code.
Minor Defects in Election Returns Do Not Justify Exclusion from Canvass
The Supreme Court rules that minor defects in election returns are not grounds for exclusion in a pre-proclamation controversy.
Election Offenses and Probable Cause: The COMELEC's Role in Safeguarding Electoral Integrity
The Supreme Court clarifies the COMELEC's authority to find probable cause for election offenses and its limits on disqualification cases after proclamation.
Safeguarding the Electorate's Will: Evidence in Election Result Exclusion
The Supreme Court ruled that while procedural lapses may be excused in pre-proclamation cases, the exclusion of election returns must rest on substantial evidence.
Mission Orders and Firearm Permits: Clarifying the Scope of Authority for NBI Agents
Understand the Supreme Court's ruling on when security guards and agents may bear firearms during election periods without COMELEC permits.
Residency vs. Domicile in Philippine Elections: The Pundaodaya Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies that voter registration and property ownership do not prove election residency, which legally means domicile.
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.
Premature Campaigning Motorcades and the Definition of a Candidate Under Philippine Election Law
The Supreme Court rules that motorcades after filing a certificate of candidacy can constitute premature campaigning, disqualifying a candidate under the Omnibus Election Code.
Safeguarding Elections Upholding Automation Despite Challenges To Validity
The Supreme Court upheld the 2010 election automation contract, affirming Comelec's authority to implement the automated election system despite challenges.
Citizenship by Election: Untangling the Complexities of Philippine Nationality Law
A look at how the Supreme Court handled a deportation case hinging on a father's belated election of Philippine citizenship under the 1935 Constitution.
Election Law: Public Funds Disbursement and the Scope of Prohibited Public Works
The Supreme Court clarifies the election ban on public works and treasury warrants in Guzman v. COMELEC.
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.
Perfecting Appeals: Strict Adherence to COMELEC Rules on Filing Fees
The Supreme Court underscores that failure to pay the correct appeal fee within the reglementary period is fatal to an election appeal before the COMELEC.
Upholding Election Law Amendments Ensuring Fair And Transparent Elections
The Supreme Court upheld RA 9369's constitutionality, affirming Congress's power to amend election laws for transparency, credibility, fairness, and accuracy.
Probationary Employees Can Vote in Certification Elections: Key SC Ruling
Supreme Court clarifies probationary employees' voting rights in certification elections, ordering a run-off after votes were wrongly excluded.
Overcoming Technicalities: How Election Errors Can Be Corrected Beyond Deadlines to Uphold the People's Will
The Supreme Court affirms COMELEC's power to correct election errors even after deadlines, ensuring the true will of the electorate prevails over technicalities.
Election Appeal Fees and Estoppel: Divinagracia v. Comelec Explained
The Supreme Court rules that belatedly questioning unpaid election appeal fees may be barred by estoppel by laches. Learn the rules.
Voter Registration Integrity False Statements AND Election Candidacy
SC ruling on double voter registration and false statements in certificates of candidacy under Section 78 of the Omnibus Election Code.
Rectifying Election Errors: COMELEC's Authority to Ensure Accurate Representation of Voters' Intent
When election documents are compromised, COMELEC can correct manifest errors even after proclamation. The Supreme Court explains why.
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.
Party List Representation: Guaranteeing Seats While Balancing Proportionality
The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on party-list seat allocation in Philippine elections, balancing guaranteed seats with proportional representation.