Bendita Law Office

15/04/2026

10/04/2026

SUPREME COURT AFFIRMS: POLITICAL DYNASTY NOT ALLOWED IN BARANGAY AND SK LEVELS

The Supreme Court (SC) upheld the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) cancelling the Certificate of Candidacy (COC) of a candidate in the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) for violating provisions of the SK Reform Law's "anti-dynasty" clause.

In a ruling, the SC En Banc denied the petition filed by Merson Calubag, which challenged the poll body’s resolutions disqualifying him as a SK chairperson candidate of Barangay Magtangale, San Francisco, Surigao del Norte during the last BSKE.

The Comelec Second Division found out that Calubag falsely stated a material fact in his COC when he declared that he was not related within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent Sangguniang Barangay (village council) member of Barangay Magtangale, despite his mother being a member.

The poll body cancelled his candidacy, prompting him to elevate the case before the Supreme Court. In upholding the said ruling, the SC recognized the legislative framework in RA 10742 or the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015 for preventing the creation and expansion of political dynasties in the country as the Legislative’s answer to the constitutional call to define political dynasties, at least at the barangay and [Sangguniang Kabataan] levels.

It cited Section 10, of the said law which requires that a candidate for the position in the SK must not be related within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent elected national office, or to any incumbent elected regional, provincial, city, municipal, or barangay official, in the locality where they seek to be elected.

It held that such “breathes life to the constitutionally enshrined policy of the sovereign to prohibit political dynasties.”

02/04/2026

On Maundy Thursday, we are reminded that the highest form of leadership is service without recognition, and sacrifice without condition.

20/03/2026

In 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐯. 𝐙𝐙𝐙, 𝐆.𝐑. 𝐍𝐨. 𝟐𝟔𝟔𝟕𝟎𝟔, 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒, the SC ruled that in instances of ra*pe committed through force, th*eat, or intimidation, there is no requirement to prove that the victim resisted. The SC clarified that previous decisions stating that a woman cannot claim to be a ra*pe victim unless she fought back are INCONSISTENT with the current legal framework. These earlier pronouncements often reinforce misguided stereotypes that contribute to gender bias and insensitivity. It is essential to recognize and respect women’s rights to autonomy and bodily integrity.

10/03/2026

Corruption falls when good people finally stand up.

Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership

17/02/2026

Justice is within reach — ang hustisya ay abot-kamay na.

The new Hall of Justice in Surallah brings our courts closer to the people, strengthening access to justice and the rule of law in our community.

08/02/2026

The law does not only punish those who cause harm— it may also hold accountable those who deliberately refuse to help when help can be given without danger.

Silence and inaction, in certain situations, have legal consequences.

08/02/2026

In every nation, every office, every community power reveals people.

Give it to someone with integrity, and it becomes protection. Give it to someone driven by greed, and it becomes a weapon.

The danger is never the throne.

It’s the person who sits on it.

We’ve seen it too many times: LEADERS WHO START WITH PROMISES, THEN END WITH EXCUSES.

Officials who ask for trust, but give nothing back but fear.

People who rise para sa bayan then forget the bayan the moment they taste authority.

Power doesn’t corrupt overnight. It corrupts slowly, quietly as ego grows faster than responsibility, and privilege grows louder than conscience.

And the saddest part?

Hindi naman tayo kulang sa matatalino, mababait, at may malasakit na tao.

Kulang lang tayo sa tamang binibigyan ng kapangyarihan.

So here’s the truth we keep ignoring:

THE WORLD DOESN’T BREAK BECAUSE OF POWER, IT BREAKS BECAUSE OF THE WRONG PEOPLE WE ALLOW TO HOLD IT.

And until we choose better leaders who listen, who serve, who stay human history will keep repeating itself.

Same faces.

Same patterns.

Same disappointments.

Power isn’t dangerous. But the wrong hands are.

04/02/2026

‘PUKSAAN’ NG MGA DEAN

Nagbiro si Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez sa gitna ng deliberasyon ng House Committee on Justice sa impeachment complaints laban kay Pres. Bongbong Marcos.

Nagsilbing dean ng San Sebastian College of Law si Rep. Rodriguez habang founding dean ng DLSU College of Law si Rep. Diokno.

Nakatakdang pagbotohan ng mga miyembro ng Komite ang "sufficiency in substance" ng mga reklamo laban sa Pangulo ngayong Miyerkules, Feb. 4.