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.
Upholding Ethical Conduct: Dismissal and Forfeiture of Benefits for Grave Misconduct in the Judiciary
Explore the Supreme Court's ruling on judicial misconduct, emphasizing accountability, ethical standards, and the consequences of grave offenses in the judiciary.
Retrenchment vs Retirement: When Separation Pay Bars Retirement Benefits
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when retrenched employees can claim retirement benefits on top of separation pay under the Labor Code and CBA.
Estranged Spouse Not Entitled to SSS Death Benefits: The Dependency Rule
An estranged wife who left her husband and remarried abroad is not a "dependent spouse" under the SSS law, so she cannot claim his death benefits.
Government Employee Benefits Unauthorized Allowances Violate Standardization Laws
Supreme Court affirms COA disallowance of P10,000 food basket allowance to BFAR employees for lack of legal basis.
From Partial to Total: Converting Disability Benefits Under Philippine Law
When can a permanent partial disability (PPD) benefit be converted to permanent total disability (PTD)? The Supreme Court explains in GSIS v. Casco.
Recomputation of Retirement Benefits: Step Increments and Special Allowances for Retired Justices
The Supreme Court clarifies that step increments and special allowances form part of the basic monthly salary base for computing judicial retirement benefits.
Contractual Retirement Plans Prevail Defining Salary in Employee Benefit Agreements
Supreme Court rules that company retirement plans define salary base for benefits, and R.A. 7641 only applies when no plan exists or benefits fall below legal minimums.
Crediting Government Service for Retirement: Defining the Scope of the Civil Service and Compensation
The Supreme Court clarifies which government services count for retirement benefits, distinguishing full-time civil service from part-time and non-chartered positions.
Seafarer Death Benefits: The Primacy of the Employment Contract's Term
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a seafarer's death during the contract term entitles heirs to death benefits under the POEA Standard Employment Contract.
Judicial Benefits: Can Misconduct Outside Judicial Office Disqualify a Judge's Heirs from Gratuity?
A judge's heirs can still receive gratuity benefits despite pre-judiciary misconduct, but only for service rendered before the penalty became final.
Misconduct and Retirement Benefits: Grounds for Employee Dismissal in the Philippines
Court clerk’s gross misconduct leads to forfeited retirement benefits, explaining dismissal grounds and why resignation doesn't erase liability.
Who Gets SSS Death Benefits When a Member Has Multiple Wives? A Primer on Beneficiary Rules
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies who qualifies as primary beneficiary under the SSS Law when a member leaves behind a legal spouse and common-law families.
Good Faith Defense in Anti-Graft Cases for Withholding Employee Benefits
When does withholding salaries become graft? The Supreme Court explains good faith and undue injury under RA 3019.
INP Retirees Entitled to PNP Retirement Benefits Under R.A. 6975
Supreme Court rules INP retirees are entitled to the same retirement benefits as PNP retirees under R.A. 6975, as amended.
Judicial Integrity: Misappropriation of Court Funds Leads to Dismissal and Restitution
Supreme Court dismisses two court clerks for misappropriating over P4 million in judiciary funds, ordering joint restitution and forfeiture of benefits.
Unlock Loan Restructuring Benefits: Why Application Is Key Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on RA 7202 shows why filing an application is essential to claim loan restructuring and condonation benefits.
Government Incentives When Must Employees Repay Disallowed Benefits
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when government employees must refund disallowed incentive benefits, distinguishing good faith recipients from approving officers.
Dereliction of Duty: Forfeiture of Benefits for Negligent Court Personnel
Learn how the Supreme Court penalizes court personnel for dereliction of duty, including forfeiture of benefits and dismissal from service.
Can an Employee Be Denied Retirement Benefits for Breach of Trust?
The Supreme Court rules on whether a bank manager validly dismissed for breach of trust can still claim retirement benefits after his compulsory retirement date had passed.
Forfeiture of Retirement Benefits for Dishonest Clerks of Court: A Cautionary Tale
Learn how a clerk of court's failure to remit judiciary funds led to forfeiture of retirement benefits for dishonesty and grave misconduct.
Work Relatedness and Death Benefits: Proving Causal Links in Compensation Claims
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when illnesses like breast cancer qualify for death benefits under PD 626, requiring proof of work-related risk.
GSIS v. Villamayor: When Illness Is Not Work-Related, No Death Benefits
Supreme Court denies GSIS death benefits for breast cancer death, ruling claimants must prove work connection, not just illness.
Illegal Dismissal in the Philippines: Reinstatement and Backwages Explained
Understand the rights of illegally dismissed employees in the Philippines—reinstatement, full backwages, and other benefits under Article 279 of the Labor Code.
Seafarers Are Contractual Employees: What This Means for Benefits Claims
Supreme Court clarifies that seafarers are contractual, not regular, employees—affecting 13th month pay and disability benefits claims.