The Supreme Court (SC) of the Philippines reported a clearance rate of 87% for the year ending September 30, 2024, having resolved 4,294 cases. This rate reflects the proportion of cases resolved against those newly filed, while the disposition rate stood at 22%, indicating the percentage of cases resolved from the total existing cases.
Throughout 2024, the SC made several landmark decisions. In the case of Deduro v. Vinoya, the court ruled that practices such as red-tagging and vilification infringe on an individual’s right to life, liberty, and security, thereby qualifying for protection under the writ of amparo. Similarly, in Castro v. Dela Cruz, the SC extended this protection to environmental advocates facing abduction, citing elements of enforced disappearance.
However, the court rejected former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr.’s request for the writ of amparo in Roque v. House of Representatives Quad-Committee, clarifying that the writ is specifically for cases involving extralegal killings and enforced disappearances, not applicable to his situation involving congressional contempt.
In Besmonte v. Napolcom-NCR, the SC found a police officer guilty of simple misconduct for using excessive force during a buy-bust operation, reinforcing that such actions are not condoned. The court also ruled in Ridon v. People that minor ordinance violations do not justify warrantless searches, particularly when no imprisonment is involved.
The SC emphasized the importance of due process in People v. Valencia, where even minor discrepancies in drug transfer receipts could compromise the integrity of the chain of custody. In Guinto v. DOJ, the court clarified that the 2019 Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 10592 extend benefits to all convicts, including those of heinous crimes.
On free speech, the SC set boundaries in ABS-CBN Corporation v. Ampatuan Jr., cautioning against the broad use of contempt powers to stifle media reporting on public matters. The court also recognized social media as a regulated speech platform, addressing the impact of fake news on judicial trust in cases involving Lorraine Marie Badoy’s posts.
Regarding privacy, the SC invalidated a BIR regulation in IBP v. Purisima and Jacinto-Henares, protecting professionals’ and clients’ privacy rights. In People v. Rodriguez, the court upheld the use of online evidence in criminal assessments, supported by RA 10173.
In electoral matters, the SC compelled Comelec to allow ballot printing observation in National Press Club v. Comelec, but clarified in Rio v. Comelec that ballot recounts are discretionary. The court also reversed Comelec’s disqualification of Smartmatic in Smartmatic v. Comelec, though the ruling would apply prospectively to avoid disrupting the 2025 elections.
The SC upheld the BARMM Organic Law in Province of Sulu v. Executive Secretary but excluded Sulu from the region due to its rejection of the law. In De Guzman-Lara v. Comelec and Mamba, the court embraced electronic filing beyond office hours.
Promoting inclusivity, the SC in Yokogawa-Tan v. Tan advocated for gender-fair language in courtrooms and in People v. ZZZ, clarified that resistance is not required to prove rape. The court also affirmed the testimony of intellectually disabled individuals in People v. Bragais and Tacuyo.
On separation of powers, the SC upheld Comelec’s jurisdiction over party-list cancellations in An Waray v. Comelec and affirmed the MMDA’s traffic enforcement powers in FEJODAP v. Manila City.
In social welfare, the SC presumed criminal intent in marital infidelity under RA 9262 in XXX v. People and streamlined discernment processes for minors in CICL XXX v. People. The court also recognized long-term marital absence as evidence of psychological incapacity in Dela Cruz v. Lanuza, Jr.
In labor cases, the SC ruled against dismissing employees for HIV status or pregnancy in Bohol Wisdom School et al v. Mabao, invalidated coerced quit claims, and defined constructive dismissal in Bartolome v. Toyota. The court also upheld habitual negligence as a valid dismissal ground.
Administratively, the SC took action against court officials and lawyers for various misconducts, including drug use, bribery, falsification, and sexual harassment, emphasizing the need for high ethical standards within the judiciary.