Concurring Opinion G.R. No. 278747
This case will define the Court. For too long, power has found ways to outrun justice. It has hidden in office, in influence, in violence, and now, in the language of due process. That ends here. The Court cannot become a refuge for impunity. It has always been, and must always remain, where justice refuses to yield.
In all, I concur that no injunctive relief should be granted in this case.
ALFREDO BENJAMIN S. CAGUIOA
Associate Justice
Newly-posted Decisions of the Supreme Court:
https://t.co/afms5EdjxX
The #SupremeCourtPH has approved the Proposed Amendments to the Guidelines on the Conduct of Videoconferencing.
The Guidelines shall take effect on February 16, 2026, 15 days following its posting on the Supreme Court and OCA websites.
The Guidelines expand the definition of “overseas venues,” which now covers “Philippine consulates and embassies, other Philippine government offices abroad, other places allowed under applicable bilateral or multilateral agreements, and any other venue authorized by the Supreme Court for videoconferencing from abroad.” [Section 2(j), Part 1]
Section 4, Part 2 of the Guidelines details how videoconferencing is initiated:
“In civil and criminal cases, the parties, through their counsel, individually or jointly, may, by written or oral motion, move that they be allowed to participate via videoconferencing.
“In criminal cases, a motion to participate via videoconferencing shall be accompanied by a waiver of the right of the accused to meet witnesses face to face when the videoconferencing specifically involves the confrontation of a witness.
“Videoconferencing shall be the preferred mode in cases involving PDLs and CICL at all stages of the proceedings.
“It shall also be the preferred mode for arraignment, bail hearings, and hearings involving minor incidents of other accused, such as, but not limited to, clarificatory hearings, compliance hearings, and other similar ancillary matters where the presence of the accused is not necessary, unless the court deems it appropriate for the accused to appear in person.
“For a just, speedy, and inexpensive disposition of cases, the court may, on its own instance, order that the proceedings be conducted through videoconferencing at any or all stages”
Copies of the Guidelines are available at:
Supreme Court website: https://t.co/PRBmXWudb1
Office of the Court Administrator website: https://t.co/kGg6M9Er6U
Setting the record straight: No November 2025 U.S. ‘Dear Heart’ Tour, and all claims of cancelled engagements are false. Official updates will come through Mr. Concepcion’s management. #dearheart#SoledadAndAssociatesLawOffice
Sobra na ang pang-aabuso! Ang Senado, Mababang Kapulungan, at karamihan ng nasa pamahalaan na dapat naglilingkod sa bayan ay ginagawang negosyo ang kanilang puwesto. Ang kaban ng bayan ay para sa taumbayan, at hindi para sa iilang pulitiko na inuuna ang sariling bulsa, pamilya, at kapangyarihan!
Ang tao, ang bayan, ngayon ay lumalaban.
Lahat ng sangkot dapat managot.
Makibaka! Huwag matakot! #TrillionPesoMarch
We stand by our clients and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to defend press freedom and free speech. Any allegations will be addressed in the proper legal forum, and we remain confident that our clients' expression is rooted in political satire and humor, thus, protected under the Constitution.
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We remain steadfast in our mission to inform and engage the Filipino public through lawful, humorous content—anchored on the Constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of the press and free expression. We will not be silenced.
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