Atty. Gerardo Delos Reyes Manalo

21/07/2026

As Law Professor sa ayaw at gusto mo kapag estudyante kita magiging humble ka!

"Huwag mayabang."

Iyan ang kalimitang advice ng mga abogado sa mga papasok sa law school. Sabi nila, law school has a way of humbling you. Equalizer daw ito. Hindi mahalaga kung laude ka, top ng batch, o marami ka nang na-achieve bago ka pumasok. Kapag tinawag ang pangalan mo para mag-recite, pare-pareho kayong haharap sa parehong tanong, parehong kaba, at parehong posibilidad na magkamali.

At totoo nga.

Unti-unti ring tumimo sa isip ko na sa law school, walang pakialam ang lahat kung author ako, kung ilan na ang naisulat kong libro, o kung ano pa ang mga naabot ko bago ako umupo sa classroom na iyon. Hindi ka bibigyan ng dagdag na puntos dahil sa pangalan mo. Hindi ka ililigtas ng achievements mo kapag hindi mo alam ang batas. Sa huli, ang mahalaga ay kung gaano ka kahandang matuto.

At sa tingin ko, iyon ang isa sa pinakamagandang leksyon na itinuturo ng law school, ang maging mapagkumbaba o humility.

Humility is acknowledging that no matter how much you've accomplished, there is always more to learn. The moment you think you've already arrived is often the moment you stop growing.

Kaya siguro paulit-ulit tayong pinapababa ng law school—not to break our confidence, but to strip away our pride. Dahil mas madaling turuan ang pusong marunong magpakumbaba kaysa sa isip na naniniwalang alam na nito ang lahat.

At kung may isa mang achievement na dapat nating dalhin hanggang maging abogado tayo, hindi iyon ang dami ng awards o titles. Sana, dala pa rin natin ang puso ng isang estudyanteng handang matuto, handang tumanggap ng pagkakamali, at handang magpakumbaba. Dahil sa propesyong ito, humility is not a sign of weakness. It's one of the foundations of wisdom.

Padayon! ⚖️💜🙏✨️

PS. Featuring this cutie pen holder made by my professor (IG) 💜 Thank you po, Atty. Alex 😍

30/05/2026

It is a fundamental principle well known to every lawyer that, in the prosecution of a criminal case, the burden of proof rests upon the complainant and the prosecution. Mere allegations, suspicions, or accusations do not suffice to warrant a finding of criminal liability. The law requires that the complainant present competent, credible, and sufficient evidence establishing a prima facie case before any person may be compelled to stand trial.

As another election season approaches, it has become an unfortunate reality that some individuals resort to the filing of criminal, administrative, or other legal complaints, not necessarily for the genuine vindication of rights, but as instruments to harass, intimidate, discredit, or politically weaken their perceived opponents. The filing of unfounded or fabricated charges has, at times, been utilized as a means of damaging a person's reputation, undermining public confidence, and diverting attention from legitimate political discourse. Such practices are inconsistent with the proper administration of justice and undermine public trust in the legal system.

The justice system must never be used as a weapon for political advantage. Courts and prosecutorial offices exist to determine the truth based on evidence and applicable law, not to serve as venues for political maneuvering or personal vendettas. The filing of a complaint, by itself, is not proof of wrongdoing. Rather, every complaint must be subjected to careful scrutiny to determine whether sufficient factual and legal basis exists to support the allegations. Where a complaint is motivated by political rivalry, personal animosity, or other improper considerations, and is unsupported by credible evidence, it cannot withstand the objective evaluation required by law.

The dismissal of a criminal complaint during the preliminary investigation stage is a significant indication that the complainant failed to establish the requisite prima facie case. It reflects the finding of the investigating prosecutor that the evidence presented was insufficient to engender a well-founded belief that a crime had been committed and that the respondent was probably guilty thereof. Such dismissal serves as a safeguard against the misuse of criminal proceedings and protects innocent individuals from being subjected to unwarranted prosecution.

Accordingly, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you, my dear client, for the dismissal of the complaint filed against you by the Honorable Prosecutor. The resolution in your favor demonstrates that the allegations brought against you were not supported by sufficient evidence as required by law. It likewise affirms the fundamental principle that no person should be made to answer for a criminal charge based merely on speculation, conjecture, political hostility, or unsubstantiated accusations. Your vindication stands as a testament to the rule of law and to the enduring principle that justice must always be grounded on facts, evidence, and due process rather than on political motivations or fabricated claims.

22/05/2026

I am profoundly gratified that my former student has once again obtained justice in connection with the R**e case maliciously instituted against him. Painful as it may be to acknowledge, accusations of this nature are exceedingly grave and perilous, for absent a meticulous and judicious evaluation of the evidence by our Honorable Prosecutors, an accused may be immediately deprived of liberty and subjected to detention without the benefit of bail while the case remains pending before the courts.

In this instance, truth and justice ultimately prevailed, my beloved student, as the Honorable Prosecutor, after a careful and discerning assessment of the evidence on record, has resolved to dismiss and set aside the unfounded charge of R**e filed against you.

I extend to you my sincerest congratulations for steadfastly enduring this ordeal and for vindicating your name through the proper processes of law.

18/05/2026

Once again, justice has prevailed and proven that it does not discriminate, even when the complainant in a R**E case is a minor.

It is deeply alarming and disheartening to witness the present reality where some women and young individuals have distorted the true essence of justice, recklessly abusing the law merely to satisfy personal whims, exact revenge, feed dangerous obsessions, or extort money from those they maliciously accuse. Such misuse of the legal system gravely undermines the integrity of genuine victims who truly seek protection and justice under the law.

In the face of these circumstances, we do not falter nor lose courage. We remain steadfast in defending those who become victims of false accusations and malicious prosecution, and we fight relentlessly until truth and justice ultimately prevail.

To our client, congratulations. The Almighty has heard your prayers, and the Honorable Prosecutor has rightfully declared your innocence.

08/05/2026

Despite my extremely demanding schedule in assisting our esteemed Congressman in the daily protest rallies at Liwasang Bonifacio against the oppressive policies of the government particularly the excessively burdensome value-added tax imposed upon our people I still make it a point to return to my Law Office in Matabungkay, Lian, Batangas so that we may continue serving our fellow Filipinos.

Even amidst these continuing public engagements, we cannot turn away the many clients who persistently come to our office to avail themselves of our legal services.

Maraming salamat po.

26/04/2026

Politics is the obvious reason…

Narito ang schedule ng distribution ni Vilma Santos-Recto ng 10 kg bigas na ipinangako ni Bongbong Marcos at galing sa buwis ng taumbayan (as of April 21, 2026).

1) Bakit kailangan pang hintayin ang schedule ng pagbisita ni Gov. Vilma bago ipamigay ang bigas? Hindi ba pwedeng ipamigay agad, lalo na't nasa krisis ang ating ekonomiya?

2) Bakit kailangan pang gumastos sa pamasahe ang mga benepisyaryo at makinig sa speech ng politiko para sa bigas na galing sa pera ng bayan?

3) Paano pinipili ang mga makakatanggap? Pwede bang isapubliko ang listahan, para malinaw na ibinibigay ito sa mga ordinaryong mamamayan at hindi ayon sa pulitika?

4) Bakit nasa huli ang Balayan, Calaca, Lemery, Calatagan, Lian, Tuy, Bauan, San Pascual, San Luis? Nagtatampo po ba si Gov. Vilma dahil natalo siya o si Lucky rito?

5) At sa mga nagtanong kung totoo bang nagtatampo si Gov. Vilma sa 84 barangays kaya hindi ibinigay ang kanilang ₱200,000: pati bigas para sa Nasugbu at Taal, ini-schedule ng Kapitolyo sa June 30, 2026 pa, pinakahuli sa lahat at dalawang buwan pa ang hihintayin. Ano ang ipinapakita nitong batayan nila sa pag-schedule?

Iyong bigas na binibili ko sa sarili kong pera, pinapa-distribute ko kahit wala ako at walang pinipili. Iyong bigas na galing sa pera ng bayan at ipinangako ni BBM, bakit ninyo pinipigil pa ang agaran at walang diskriminasyong distribusyon?

04/04/2026

Black Saturday holds deep meaning in the life of Filipinos.It is a solemn pause between sorrow and hope, a time for quiet reflection, prayer, and renewal of faith as we await the promise of resurrection.

Today, I observed this sacred tradition alongside Congressman Leandro Legarda Leviste and Mayor Antonio Barcelon at GRM Resort Hotel Matabungkay, a meaningful reminder that even in stillness, our shared faith continues to unite and strengthen us as a people.

03/04/2026

27/03/2026

It is widely known that I have devoted a considerable portion of my life to teaching law in various universities. Many of my former students have since achieved success in the respective professions they have chosen to pursue. Legal challenges have, in time, become an inevitable part of life, and in such circumstances, they turn to one person—Atty. Gerardo Delos Reyes Manalo-whom they have come to trust with utmost confidence.

As a matter of principle, I adhere to a steadfast rule in life: I do not abandon nor neglect those who seek my assistance, especially when I am convinced of their innocence in the case they are facing. I remain firmly optimistic that justice shall ultimately prevail in this matter, notwithstanding the gravity of the case brought against him.

23/03/2026

The prevailing conduct of today’s youth, whether male or female, is profoundly disheartening. It has become commonplace for minors to engage in excessive socializing, and at an early age, to indulge in the consumption of alcohol and intoxication in the company of peers. Regrettably, such behavior exposes them to numerous dangers, and in certain instances, they themselves willingly participate in acts of lasciviousness.

In the aftermath, parents of the purported victim often seek to pursue justice for the alleged harm suffered by their child, notwithstanding circumstances indicating that the latter may have contributed to, or been at fault for, the situation. Consequently, individuals who are frequently innocent become respondents in criminal complaints and are subjected to undue hardship not only due to the substantial financial burden of litigation, but also because of the severe anxiety and apprehension arising from the potential penalties that may be imposed upon conviction.

As in previous instances, I extend my congratulations to an individual who had been wrongfully accused of Lascivious Conduct, whose case has now been dismissed by the Office of the Prosecutor.