Rappler's latest stories on Supreme Court of the Philippines
8th petition vs anti-terror law attacks 'subjective' definition of terroristic dissent
The Sanlakas party list says Section 4's supposed exemption on dissent must be struck down for being too vague and subjective
Supreme Court hands off in DOJ's stricter drug plea bargain rules
Dissenting Justice Benjamin Caguioa says the Supreme Court's efforts to declog court dockets of small-time drug cases will be put to waste
Over 43,000 prisoners released via videoconference hearings since March
The court administrator reports that 43,171 persons deprived of liberty have been released from March 17 to July 3. The figure also includes children in conflict with the law.

'Overly deferential': How Supreme Court shielded Duterte from disclosing health
Justices come up with all sorts of arguments to favor Duterte in the health petition, and dissenting Justice Caguioa says it 'clearly signals an overly deferential attitude to a sitting President'
Constitution framers, Ateneo professors file 6th petition vs anti-terror law
'Given the pattern of imputation by the executive and the nature of accusations, the exercise of our fundamental freedom of expression and freedom of association has to be protected'
Duterte's ex-OGCC chief Jurado is 5th to petition vs anti-terror law
Jurado anchors his petition on the railroad of the bill in Congress, and says the rush to passage violates constitutional standards
Supreme Court affirms dismissal of Enrile libel suit vs columnist
Former senator Juan Ponce Enrile filed a libel suit against newspaper columnist Yoly Villanueva Ong in 2012 for an opinion article about his Martial Law days and his son's senatorial bid

More petitions to come: Supreme Court battle vs anti-terror law starts
(5th UPDATE) By Rappler's count, there are at least 8 groups filing petitions to void provisions of the anti-terror law

Where is the Supreme Court's full decision junking Duterte health case?
Two months have passed, and even the petitioner has not yet received the full decision that would explain why the justices dismissed his petition
SC urged: Compel Duterte gov’t to conduct ‘mass testing’
Petitioners led by former social welfare secretary Judy Taguiwalo also ask the High Court to compel the government to ramp up contact tracing efforts and release timely, accurate, and complete information on the pandemic


SC's deference to Congress on same-sex union 'dooms marriage equality'
A paper published by UP Law criticizes the 2019 decision of the Supreme Court junking a same-sex marriage petition mainly due to technicalities, and says it was 'an abdication of its function as a Court'
Leonen's speech vs complicity trends as SC battles doubts on its independence
A usual dissenter who once called out fellow justices for emboldening the rise of an authoritarian, Justice Marvic Leonen tells new lawyers about the dangers of keeping silent and being complicit
WATCH: 'Resist injustice:' Justice Leonen's speech at lawyers' oath taking
'Silence about corruption and abuse of power is not only in itself unjust; our silence when we have the ability to speak is in itself a cause of injustice,' says Associate Justice Marvic Leonen
Supreme Court to do pilot test for computerized Bar exams
2020 Bar chair Justice Leonen also says the Court must take a hard look at the Bar exams and 'make its practices more reasonable'
Supreme Court fires Palace cameraman for unsolicited knee touch on female colleague
'Unsolicited physical contact, even if done in jest, has no place in the workplace, especially in government service,' says the Supreme Court Second Division, but it retains the finding of guilt for simple misconduct, rather than grave misconduct

'Too many are sick and dying': Supreme Court defers deciding on prisoner release
Prison agencies are also slammed for little transparency on the conditions of inmates
Supreme Court junks Calida's quo warranto vs ABS-CBN Corp for being moot
(UPDATED) The case against ABS-CBN Convergence remains. ABS-CBN's shutdown is also still in effect.
Supreme Court affirms condo dues not subject to tax
The Supreme Court says association dues and other assessment charges do not form part of a condominium corporation's gross income

[ANALYSIS] The Anti-Terror Act is worse than Martial Law
'[The Anti-Terror Act] is authorized to order the arrest of any person even if he or she has not committed any crime of terrorism'

'Vote for life': Kapatid urges SC to act on petition for prisoners' release
'We pray that the Supreme Court will choose to vote for life in favor of the most vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic now invading prison facilities,' says Kapatid spokesperson Fides Lim

Can Supreme Court under Peralta repeat Arroyo-time judicial activism?
The Court created a human rights committee under Sereno, but Peralta says he is yet to 'look into it'
Stranded justice delays resolution of petition to free vulnerable prisoners
Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta says he 'believes' the case can be decided by June 16. As of latest data, there are 745 confirmed cases in BJMP and 194 cases in BuCor.
Supreme Court deliberations on ABS-CBN set for July 13
Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta is not certain if there will be a resolution by July 13, despite ABS-CBN's urgent request for a temporary restraining order
WATCH: Chief Justice Peralta meets the press online
Bookmark this page to watch the virtual press conference of Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta at 9 am, Thursday, June 11
Carpio: Once a law, anti-terror bill can be questioned in court right away
(UPDATED) The old law allows warrantless arrest only as a result of surveillance. The new bill does not provide such limitation.

Are PH courts truly ready for digital transformation post-lockdown?
Courts grapple with internet problems and lack of public transport for personnel. Questions also abound on how strict judicial rules can accommodate digital processes.

Courts outside Metro Manila ask SC for rapid testing too
In Metro Manila, Associate Justice Marvic Leonen says some Metro Manila judges refused rapid testing which to him is 'a very grave disappointment'
SC junks Gadon case vs ABS-CBN, but hardly a win for still shut network
Larry Gadon's thrown-out petition hardly does anything for the embattled network as its bid to go back on air is still in the pleadings process
Makabayan rep wants to cite Topacio in contempt in Supreme Court writs case
Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio says the contempt request is 'egregious,' as the government crackdown on the Left reaches the High Court
SC applicants doubt ABS-CBN can get remedy from High Court
In several questions throughout the Judicial and Bar Council interview, the applicants agree that ABS-CBN's fate is mostly up to Congress
Milestone or proof case not urgent? Explaining SC's show cause order vs leftists
The show cause order is considered a preliminary citation, when in other cases for habeas corpus and amparo, parties immediately got the writs
Internet cafe for lawyers? How PH justice system will cope with new normal
It will be a digital transformation, says the Supreme Court, but how will it make sure that every litigant has equal access to technology?
JBC makes Supreme Court stints minimum of 2.5 years
The Judicial and Bar Council sets new rules, but faces questions on constitutionality
Supreme Court calls out judge over birthday party in chambers
The Office of the Court Administrator is tasked to determine if there are quarantine violations
Still no TRO vs ABS-CBN cease and desist order
(3rd UPDATE) The Supreme Court gives the National Telecommunications Commission 10 days to comment on the ABS-CBN petition against the NTC order
ABS-CBN pleads SC: Provisional franchise takes time, let us air now
'ABS-CBN, its employees, various stakeholders, and the general public will continue to suffer grave and irreparable injury as a result of the Cease and Desist Order issued by the NTC'
Courts in GCQ areas to physically reopen starting May 18
Only a skeleton staff shall report to work even in GCQ, says the Supreme Court
Pilot courts nationwide can now do virtual hearings for all matters
All courts in Metro Manila are authorized to do hearings via video conferencing
Videoconference hearings lead to release of 4,683 prisoners in a week
'We expect a lot more courts to conduct hearings through videoconferencing this coming week that may result [in] more releases of [persons deprived of liberty],' says Court Administrator Midas Marquez

'The digital court is not so far away'
The pandemic leaves the Supreme Court no other choice
Supreme Court junks petition to disclose Duterte health
(UPDATED) The voting was 13-2, with Associate Justices Marvic Leonen and Benjamin Caguioa dissenting, sources said
ABS-CBN to Supreme Court: NTC shutdown violates press freedom
'Strong public interest and equity demand that ABS-CBN be allowed to continue its operations,' ABS-CBN's lawyers tell the Supreme Court
ABS-CBN runs to Supreme Court to stop NTC shutdown
(UPDATED) The main petition wants to void the NTC shutdown order entirely
In pandemic scramble, Duterte has one more job: Pick new SC justice
In another historic adjustment, the Judicial and Bar Council will screen applicants through online interviews
Justice Leonen: Laws ban poor man's gambling, but POGOs allowed?
'We have to continue calling attention to these kinds of discrepancies,' Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen
Supreme Court allows reduced bail for poor prisoners
Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta signs and releases Administrative Circular No. 38 as one of the Supreme Court's responses to the coronavirus pandemic
Supreme Court lowered Bar passing grade for more techy lawyers in 'new normal'
After the grade was lowered to 74, more than 300 made the cut
2020 Bar exams postponed to 2021
The 2020 Bar examinations will also be regionalized – they will be held in Manila and Cebu City
Supreme Court told: Non-release of vulnerable prisoners can cause riots
'Death, violence and riots can also break out if the pandemic is left unchecked in prisons,' petitioners warn, even as the public health system is overwhelmed
New lawyers of coronavirus era: 2019 Bar results out online April 29
The list will not be displayed at the Supreme Court premises. Bar takers should wait for the online release at home.