Legal Insights
Plain-language guides and case briefs on Philippine law — researched from the firm's law library of 184,000+ statutes, Supreme Court decisions, and agency issuances, and written so non-lawyers can understand and act on them.
CBA Loan Benefits vs Bank Policy: When Management Rules Violate the Agreement
SC rules on when a bank's "no negative data bank" policy for employee loans violates the existing CBA. Learn the limits of management prerogative.
CBA Benefits Limited to Bargaining Unit Members: Understanding Labor Rights
Supreme Court rules CBA benefits apply only to bargaining unit members, not dismissed employees. Learn the legal basis.
Work-Related Illness and Seafarers’ Disability Claims: Proving the Causal Link
Seafarers claiming disability benefits must prove work-relatedness, not just illness during employment. The Supreme Court clarifies the burden.
Retirement Benefits CBA vs Labor Code: Pilot Entitlements Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when CBA retirement benefits prevail over Labor Code Article 287, using a PAL pilot's case as guide.
Liquidation vs Length of Service: Defining Retirement Benefits in Philippine Banking
Supreme Court ruling on whether bank liquidation periods count in computing retirement benefits for Philippine bank employees.
Retirement Benefits and Voluntary Resignation: Clarifying Eligibility Under Philippine Law
Can resignation save retirement benefits after administrative liability? The Supreme Court clarifies forfeiture rules for public officers.
Upholding Public Trust: Dishonesty Leads to Dismissal Despite Mitigating Factors
Supreme Court ruling shows falsifying a Daily Time Record is grave dishonesty warranting forfeiture of retirement benefits, even after resignation.
CBA Interpretation Voluntary Arbitration Prevails In Seafarer Death Benefit Claims
Supreme Court rules voluntary arbitrators, not labor arbiters, hear CBA interpretation disputes involving seafarer death benefits.
Seafarer's Basketball Injury Ruled Work-Related: 2026 Supreme Court Decision Explained
A seafarer injured playing basketball on board a vessel is entitled to disability benefits. The Supreme Court applies the Bunkhouse Rule and Personal Comfort Doctrine.
Prescription Periods and Missing Seafarers: How Employer Actions Can Extend Your Claim for Death Benefits
Learn how employer negligence and concealment can extend prescription periods for seafarer death benefit claims in the Philippines.
Protecting Labor Rights: How Philippine Courts Determine Employer-Employee Relationships for Retirement Benefi
Philippine courts resolve doubts in labor disputes in favor of workers. Learn how the Supreme Court determines employer-employee relationships for retirement benefits.
Breach of Public Trust: Mayor Held Liable for Unwarranted Benefits in BOT Contract
A mayor's conviction for violating the Anti-Graft Law in awarding a P240M BOT project to an unqualified contractor, explained in plain language.
Employee Transfers and Constructive Dismissal in the Philippines: Employer Rights and Employee Protection
When is a job transfer constructive dismissal? The Supreme Court explains management prerogative, diminution of benefits, and employee rights.
SSS Death Benefits: Does Legal Separation Bar a Spouse’s Claim?
Legal marriage alone does not guarantee SSS death benefits—surviving spouses must prove actual dependency, especially after separation.
Homeowners Associations vs Non-Members: HLURB Jurisdiction and CMP Benefits
When can a homeowners association evict non-members from CMP land? The Supreme Court clarifies HLURB jurisdiction in Eugenio v. Sta. Monica Riverside Homeowners Association.
Indirect Employers' Solidary Liability: Protecting Workers' Monetary Claims Under the Labor Code
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling on indirect employers' solidary liability for workers' wages, 13th month pay, and other monetary benefits.
GSIS Pension Rights: Recovering Retirement Benefits After a Wrongful Denial
Learn how the Supreme Court protects government retirees' pension rights, even when GSIS initially approved benefits under the wrong law.
Seafarers Disability When Standard Contracts Limit Compensation For Illnesses
SC rules basketball injury on board is work-related under the Bunkhouse Rule, entitling seafarer to disability benefits.
Defining Accident in Seafarer Disability Claims: CBA Provisions Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies when a seafarer's injury counts as an but a seafarer may still be entitled to full disability benefits under other CBA provisions.
Dishonesty in Public Service: Forfeiture of Eligibility for Examination Irregularities
Court dismisses clerk of court for using a proxy in the 1988 civil service exam, ruling dishonesty forfeits eligibility and all benefits.
Protecting Employee Retirement Funds Invalidating Reversion of Assets to Cover Corporate Debt
The Supreme Court ruled that a provident fund cannot be used to pay the employer's debts, protecting employees' retirement benefits.
Burden of Proof in Labor Disputes: Employers Must Show Wage Compliance
In Dansart Security Force v. Bagoy, the Supreme Court ruled that employers bear the burden of proving payment of wages and monetary benefits to employees.
Seafarers' Rights: Employer Liability for Illness Manifesting During Employment Despite Post-Contract Death
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on seafarer death benefits when illness manifests during employment but death occurs after contract term.
Prescription of Seafarer Claims: Labor Code Prevails Over Standard Employment Contract
Supreme Court rules 3-year Labor Code prescription governs seafarer money claims, but death benefits require death during contract effectivity.