Practical guides and plain-language summaries of recent Philippine Supreme Court decisions from the lawyers of Recososa Law Firm. Have a question about how these developments affect you or your business? Contact us.
Supreme Court Announcements
- Chief Justice Gesmundo Retires November 6: Who Will Lead the Supreme Court Next?Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70 on November 6, 2026. Here’s the JBC shortlist, who serves as acting Chief Justice, and how the next Chief Justice is chosen.
Electronic Notarization
Notarize online with us: see our eNotarization service.
- How to Get a Document Notarized Online in the Philippines: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)A practical, step-by-step guide to online notarization in the Philippines under the Supreme Court’s e-notarization rules, from preparing your PDF to receiving your electronically notarized document.
- Remote, In-Person, or Traditional Notarization: Which One Does Your Document Need?Traditional, in-person electronic, and remote electronic notarization compared, with how each works, when to use it, and what to check before choosing under Philippine rules.
- Electronic Notarization in the Philippines: A Guide to the Supreme Court’s e-Notarization RulesElectronic notarization is now available nationwide in the Philippines. Here’s what the Supreme Court’s Rules on Electronic Notarization (A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC) allow, who can e-notarize, and what it means for your documents.
Supreme Court Decisions
- Supreme Court Suspends Lawyer for Notarizing Backdated Election DocumentsThe Supreme Court suspended a lawyer for one year, revoked his notarial commission, and barred him from being a notary for two years over backdated election documents bearing his notarial seal.
- Supreme Court: Men Can Also Be Victims of Sexual ViolenceAffirming a woman’s conviction for acts of lasciviousness against her 11-year-old nephew, the Supreme Court en banc stressed that laws must protect all victims of sexual violence regardless of gender.
- Supreme Court Voids Billions in 2024 and 2025 Budget Items: What the Ruling MeansThe Supreme Court has struck down ₱449.5 billion in congressional increases to the 2024 unprogrammed appropriations, a ₱17.99-billion addition to the 2025 Special Road Fund, and key standby-fund provisions of the 2026 budget.
- Wrong Lot Number in Your Deed of Sale? Supreme Court Upholds a Cebu City Land SaleA wrong lot number in a deed of sale does not automatically void the sale. In a case over land in Cebu City, the Supreme Court allowed the deed to be reformed and cancelled a later buyer’s title.
- Lido Trademark Ruling: Why Filing First Won’t Protect a Bad-Faith Trademark RegistrationIn an August 2026 decision, the Supreme Court cancelled the Lido trademark registrations obtained in bad faith, confirming that being first to file does not protect a registration made with knowledge of another’s prior rights.
- Supreme Court: A BIR Revenue Regulation Cannot Override a Tax Exemption Granted by LawAfter a 13-year dispute, the Supreme Court upheld Semirara Mining and Power Corp.’s P27.34-million tax refund, confirming that a BIR revenue regulation cannot take away a tax exemption granted by law.
- Supreme Court: Employers Cannot Force Workers to Retire Before 65 Without Their ConsentIn a 2026 decision against Colegio de San Juan de Letran, the Supreme Court ruled that retiring an employee before 65 without a clear, voluntary agreement is illegal dismissal. Here’s what employers and employees should know.
- Supreme Court: Forcing an Employee to Resign Under Threat of Criminal Charges Is Illegal DismissalThe Supreme Court ruled in August 2026 that pressuring an employee to resign by threatening criminal charges is constructive illegal dismissal. What the Gabrillo v. Tri-J Marketing ruling means for employers and workers.
- Supreme Court: Employers Must Remit SSS Contributions for Illegally Dismissed Workers’ Backwage PeriodThe Supreme Court has ruled that employers who illegally dismiss workers must also remit their SSS contributions for the period covered by backwages, with a 3% monthly penalty for late remittance.
The articles on this page are for general information only and do not constitute legal advice.