Arungayan & Dapiton Attorneys-at-Law

17/08/2026

The has acquitted a woman of bigamy, ruling that a prior marriage that was void from the beginning (𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘥 𝘢𝘣 𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰) may be raised as a defense even without a prior judicial declaration of nullity.

In a Decision penned by Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa, the SC’s Third Division reversed the ruling of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Pampanga and the Court of Appeals (CA), which had found Ma. Fe Imelda Lapira guilty of bigamy.

Lapira faced a bigamy charge under Article 349 of the 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘗𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘊𝘰𝘥𝘦 for marrying Jimmy Fariscal while still married to Takahiko Sato as evidenced by a marriage certificate from the Office of the Civil Registrar General.

During trial, Lapira argued that her marriage to Sato was void because no ceremony took place and no marriage license had been issued, both of which were required for validity. The Local Civil Registrar confirmed that there was no record of the application for a marriage license for Lapira and Sato.

In acquitting Lapira, the SC applied its ruling in the 2021 case of 𝘗𝘶𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘰 𝘷. 𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦, which held that an accused in a bigamy case may directly argue that a previous marriage is void as a defense, even without a prior court declaration.

The SC explained that one of the essential elements of bigamy is the existence of a valid prior marriage. If the first marriage was void from the beginning, that element is absent.

In this case, the certification from the Local Civil Registrar sufficiently proved that no marriage license was issued to Lapira and Sato. This certification was enough to counter the presumption of the marriage certificate’s validity.

Read the full text of the Press Release at https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=171178.

Read the full text of the Decision at https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=165698.

Copying of this content is subject to the SC PIO’s Credit Attribution Policy: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/credit-attributionon-policy.

21/06/2026

Whether in the court of law or on the pickleball court, Sir Aldi Arungayan, our firm's father, teaches us the same winning strategy: prepare well, play fair, keep our composure, and give every rally our best shot.

To Sir Aldi and to all the dads who serve with love, defend with strength, and always show up when it matters most — Happy Father’s Day from all of us at the firm.

16/05/2026

16/05/2026

08/05/2026

SUPREME COURT ENDS FOUR-DAY WORK WEEK SCHEME

The Supreme Court (SC) has decided to end its four-day work week scheme that was implemented since March.

The SC En Banc has issued a resolution dated April 29 which resolved to “lift the implementation of the work-from-home arrangement in the Supreme Court, and revert to the Standard five-day workweek with 100% on-site reporting, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., effective May 2026.”

But it added that it will continue the implementation of energy conservation measures that have already been started.

The resolution was issued by the SC based on the recommendation made by SC Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Administrative Officer Maria Carina Matammu-Cunanan.

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo issued last March 9 a memorandum circular that observed a four-day on-site and one-day work-from-home (WFH) work arrangement with Friday employees are allowed to work from home.

The move was made back in March as part of energy conservation measures due to the Middle East conflict.

11/04/2026

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.”

19/03/2026

SANDIGANBAYAN, NOT COURT OF APPEALS, HOLDS APPELLATE JURISDICTION OVER GRAFT CONVICTIONS—SUPREME COURT

The Supreme Court (SC) has vacated the Court of Appeals’ (CA) decision convicting three former barangay officials in Manila for graft, emphasizing that the Sandiganbayan has exclusive appellate jurisdiction over such cases.

In a 13-page ruling penned by Associate Justice Samuel Gaerlan, the SC's Third Division has vacated the conviction of Barangay 526, Zone 52, District 4, Manila, former Chairman Aniceta Co, ex-Barangay Kagawad and Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Chair Nestor Co, and Barangay Treasurer Emma Acebedo for violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The case stemmed from the questionable procurement of a barangay motor vehicle in 2014. The barangay officials sent out an Invitation to Bid to several suppliers. The contract was later awarded to Derexon Trading as the participant with the lowest bid.

Later, the Ombudsman found something anomalous with the transaction, as it discovered that the subject vehicle was formerly owned by the brother of Barangay Kagawad Nestor. It was also revealed that said vehicle was mortgaged to secure a loan.

During the trial, the accused denied knowledge of the prior ownership of the subject vehicle and claimed that the procurement and purchase thereof was regularly done pursuant to the proper procedure.

The Regional Trial Court (RTC) found Chairman Aneceta, Kagawad Nestor, and Treasurer Emma guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 and sentenced to suffer the penalty of imprisonment from 6 to 10 years. The said conviction was eventually affirmed by the Court of Appeals, prompting the accused to elevate the case before the Supreme Court.

In declaring the ruling void, the high court held that the CA lacks appellate jurisdiction over the case. It cited Section 4 of Presidential Decree No. 1606, as amended by Republic Act No. 10660, which provides that the Sandiganbayan shall exercise exclusive original jurisdiction in all cases involving violations of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

"The Sandiganbayan shall exercise exclusive appellate jurisdiction over final judgments, resolutions, or orders of regional trial courts, whether in the exercise of their own original jurisdiction or of their appellate jurisdiction," the Supreme Court said.

It also reaffirmed the principle laid down in the case of Munez vs. People, where the SC vacated the Court of Appeal's decision and held that it had no jurisdiction to review the regional trial court's conviction, since the appellate jurisdiction is properly lodged with the Sandiganbayan.

The high court remanded the case records to the Sandiganbayan and directed it to resolve the case with utmost dispatch.

14/03/2026

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐲. 𝐑𝐨𝐞𝐥 𝐁. 𝐃𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐧, 𝐂𝐏𝐀.

🕊️ WAKE & NECROLOGICAL SERVICES
Gegato‑Abecia Funeral Homes, Tanza, Iloilo City

📅 16 March 2026 (Monday)
• Visiting starts at 12:00 NN

📅 17 March 2026 (Tuesday)
• Necrological Service at 6:30 PM

📅 18 March 2026 (Wednesday)
• Viewing until 10:00 AM

✝️ Daily Mass:
• 6:30 PM (except March 18, ending at 10:00 AM)

🍽️ For food donations:
Please contact Ms. Kookie — 0910 589 4817

13/03/2026

𝐈𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐦: 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐲. 𝐑𝐨𝐞𝐥 𝐁. 𝐃𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐧

With deep sorrow and heartfelt reverence, we mourn the passing of Atty. Roel B. Dapiton, our beloved Senior Partner, mentor, colleague, professor, and friend. His life was a blessing to all who had the privilege of knowing him, marked by integrity, compassion, and unwavering dedication to the practice of law.

We thank the Lord for the gift of his life, a guiding light in our profession. Though we grieve his absence, we trust that he now rests in God’s loving arms. May our hearts be comforted with His peace, filled with hope through Christ, and strengthened to carry Atty. Roel’s memory with grace.

As a law professor, his legendary Binggohan, a unique hallmark of his recitations, will forever be remembered. The unexpected numbers drawn from his Binggohan reminded us that life, much like those moments, is unpredictable yet full of meaning. This brought both fear and laughter to generations of students, and it will remain a cherished part of his legacy.

Atty. Roel’s impact lives on in the countless lives he touched, the principles he upheld, and the enduring imprint of his work. We honor his memory with gratitude, love, and the assurance that he is now at peace in the presence of the Lord.

Requiescat in pace.

02/01/2026

While some of these cases carried significant political weight, others will have a direct impact on everyday lives.