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.
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Disability Benefits FOR Seafarers THE Importance OF A Mutually Appointed Doctor
Disallowed Government Benefits and Good Faith Refund Rules: Zamboanga City Water District v. COA
When do government employees and officers have to refund disallowed benefits? The Supreme Court clarifies the good faith rule in this case.
Illegal Dismissal: Computing Separation Pay and Backwages Using Gross Monthly Pay
The Supreme Court clarifies how to compute separation pay and backwages for illegally dismissed employees, using gross monthly pay, inclusive of allowances and benefits.
Seafarer Disability Benefits: Duty to Comply With Treatment and the 120-Day Rule
A seafarer's failure to comply with prescribed medical treatment can justify extending the assessment period to 240 days, defeating a disability claim.
Seafarer Death Benefits: Proving Suicide as a Defense Against Employer Liability
The Supreme Court explains when an employer may escape liability for seafarer death benefits by proving suicide as a willful act.
Solidary Liability and Compromise: When Settling With One Debtor Benefits All
When solidary debtors are sued under a common cause of action, a compromise with one may extinguish liability for all. This explains the rule.
Conflicting Medical Reports: When a Seafarer Gets Full Disability Benefits
Philippine Supreme Court rules on conflicting company doctor reports, entitling seafarer to full permanent disability benefits under POEA-SEC.
Seafarer's Right to Disability Benefits When Employer Delays Post-Employment Medical Exam
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies employer duties and seafarer rights in post-employment medical examinations under the POEA-SEC.
Beyond 120 Days: Seafarer’s Right to Permanent Total Disability Benefits
The Supreme Court clarifies when a seafarer is deemed permanently and totally disabled under the 120-day rule and POEA-SEC.
Causal Connection Is Key in Seafarer Disability Claims for Work-Related Illnesses
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that seafarers must prove a causal connection between their illness and work to receive disability benefits.
Work-Related Skin Illness: Seafarer Wins Disability Benefits Despite Fit-to-Work Declaration
Philippine Supreme Court rules a seafarer with work-related skin illness can get disability benefits even if declared fit to work.
Third Party Beneficiaries and Compromise Agreements: When Excluded Parties Cannot Claim Benefits
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when compromise agreements benefit only named parties, not excluded third parties under stipulation pour autrui.
Presumption of Compensability Protecting Seafarers With Cardiovascular Disease
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on seafarers' disability benefits for cardiovascular disease, presumption of compensability, and POEA-SEC.
Navigating Disability Benefits: The Significance of Timely Medical Assessments for Seafarers
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that seafarers may claim disability benefits for work-related illnesses even without a prompt company physician assessment.
Lifetime Pension for Jurisconsults: Expanding Retirement Benefits Under RA 910
The Supreme Court grants a retired Jurisconsult a lifetime monthly pension under RA 910, clarifying that judicial rank includes retirement benefits.
Judicial Independence Retirement Benefits and the Scope of Fiscal Autonomy
The Supreme Court clarifies that judicial rank privileges include retirement pensions under RA 910, even for non-judge court officials.
When a Quitclaim and Compromise Do Not Bar Later Labor Claims: Dela Rosa Liner
The Supreme Court clarifies when a compromise agreement and quitclaim do not bar a worker's later claims for unpaid wages and benefits.
Public Health Workers' Benefits: Balancing Magna Carta Rights and Budget Rules
Supreme Court rules on DBM-DOH and DBM-CSC circulars affecting hazard pay, subsistence allowance, and longevity pay for public health workers.
Seafarer Death Benefits: Proving Work Relatedness and Contractual Obligations
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when seafarer death benefits are payable under the POEA Standard Employment Contract, emphasizing work relatedness and contract term.
Seafarers Disability Navigating THE 120 240 DAY Rule FOR Entitlement TO Benefits
The Supreme Court clarifies that the 120-day rule does not automatically make a seafarer's disability permanent, explaining the 240-day extension.
Loyalty Awards Reconciling Reorganization AND Employee Rights IN THE Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies how corporate reorganizations affect regular employees' security of tenure, retirement rights, and CBA benefits.
Retroactivity of Laws Protecting Vested Retirement Benefits of Military Personnel
Supreme Court rules PD 1638 cannot retroactively strip vested retirement benefits of military retirees under RA 340.
Seafarers Must Comply With Timely Medical Reporting To Claim Disability Benefits
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why seafarers must undergo post-employment medical exams within three days to claim disability benefits.
Second Marriages and SSS Benefits: Proving Legal Spousal Status for Social Security Claims
The Supreme Court clarifies that only a legal spouse qualifies for SSS death benefits, even if the member designated a second wife as beneficiary.