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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Overseas Workers' Full Compensation for Illegal Dismissal: Key SC Ruling
SC clarifies that illegally dismissed overseas workers with contracts under one year get full unexpired term salaries, including benefits.
Shore Leave and Seafarer Death Benefits: When Work-Relatedness Fails
Supreme Court rules a seafarer's death during shore leave is not automatically work-related; explains the causal connection required for death benefits.
Retirement Benefits: Reconciling Prior Obligations With Employee Entitlements
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how retirement pay is computed when employees were retrenched, rehired, and had prior debts to the employer.
Creditable Government Service: When Consultancy Work Counts for Justice Retirement Benefits
Supreme Court ruling on crediting consultancy work as government service for retirement benefits of justices under RA 9946.
Retirement vs. Separation Pay: The Age Rule in Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when an employee can claim retirement benefits and when separation pay applies under the Labor Code.
Seafarers Death Benefits Proving Causation Between Injury AND Fatal Illness
Supreme Court ruling on seafarers' death benefits: bare allegations of causation between injury and fatal illness are not enough.
Judicial Clemency Reintegrating Errant Public Servants AND Restoring Forfeited Rights
When can a dismissed judge return to government service? The Supreme Court explains judicial clemency and restoration of benefits.
Defining Disability for Seafarers: Rights and the 240-Day Rule in Maritime Employment
The Supreme Court clarifies when a seafarer's disability becomes total and permanent, and why exceeding 120 days does not automatically entitle him to full benefits.
Death Benefits and Seafarers' Willful Acts: Employer Liability in Maritime Law
When a seafarer dies by suicide, employers may avoid death benefits if they prove the death resulted from a willful act.
Retirement Benefits vs Other Allowances: The Refundability Distinction in Illegal Disbursements
When illegal disbursements are disallowed, must payees refund? The Supreme Court draws a line between retirement benefits and ordinary allowances.
Defining Disability for Seafarers: Why Timely Medical Assessment Matters
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a seafarer's disability becomes permanent, and why abandoning treatment can jeopardize a claim for full disability benefits.
When IS A Seafarer Entitled TO Permanent Disability Benefits AN Analysis OF Fair Shipping Corp VS Medel
Seafarers Disability Benefits: When 120-Day Rule and POEA Reporting Requirements Apply
Supreme Court ruling on seafarer disability benefits, the 120/240-day rule, and POEA contract reporting requirements explained in plain language.
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.
False Declarations in Insurance Claims: When Fraud Voids a Fire Policy
The Supreme Court voided a P50-million fire insurance claim after finding the insured padded its losses, showing how false declarations forfeit policy benefits.
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.
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.
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.
Retirement Benefits for Judges: Voluntary Resignation vs. Involuntary Incapacity
The Supreme Court clarifies when a judge may retire with benefits under RA 910, distinguishing voluntary resignation from incapacity.
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.