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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Filing Money Claims Against Government: Lessons from a Dismissed Flood Damage Case
The Supreme Court affirms COA's denial of P122-million flood damage claims against DPWH, citing prescription, laches, and the state's immunity from suit.
Retirement Benefits Premium Contributions Determine Creditable Service For Government Employees
GSIS v. Pauig: only service periods with paid GSIS premiums count for retirement benefits; casual and temporary service may be excluded.
When Public Service and Private Practice Collide: Lessons from a Lawyer's Suspension
A provincial legal officer's three-year suspension shows the hard lines between government duty, private practice, and client loyalty.
Cola Integration When Back Payments Conflict With Salary Standardization IN Government Service
Just Compensation When Government Takes Property Before Filing Expropriation
When government takes property years before filing expropriation, just compensation is valued at the time of taking, not at filing.
Upholding Government Discretion in Public Bidding: The Mactan Cebu Airport Case
The Supreme Court affirms that courts cannot override the government's discretion in public bidding, absent grave abuse of discretion.
Government Employment and Separation Benefits: The TransCo Ruling on Contractual Employees
The Supreme Court clarifies when contractual government employees qualify for separation benefits and when good faith excuses refund of disallowed amounts.
Probable Cause and Customs Seizure: Protecting Due Process in Forfeiture Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that probable cause must precede customs seizure and forfeiture, protecting claimants from arbitrary government action.
Expropriation Without Payment: When the Government Sleeps on Its Rights
Supreme Court rules that failure to pay just compensation for over 30 years bars the government from claiming expropriated property.
Eminent Domain and Just Compensation: Government Delay Forfeits Expropriation Rights
The Supreme Court rules that the government's failure to pay just compensation for over 30 years bars its claim to expropriated property.
Perfecting Land Titles: Strict Proof Required for Government Approval and Continuous Possession
The Supreme Court denies land registration for failure to prove alienable status and continuous possession under PD 1529.
Due Process in Government Action: The City Advertising Ventures Case on Billboards and Signages
When government dismantles advertising signages, it must follow its own rules and respect due process, as this case shows.
Enforcement of Government Contracts: Recovery Allowed Despite Lack of Funds Certification
Supreme Court allows contractor recovery for government equipment leases despite missing funds certification, citing quantum meruit and equity.
Substantial Completion and Contract Termination in Construction Disputes: PSHS v. Pirra Construction
When is a project substantially completed, and when can a government agency terminate a construction contract? The Supreme Court clarifies.
Reorganization and Security of Tenure: Why Employees Must Exhaust Administrative Remedies First
Supreme Court ruling on LWUA reorganization clarifies that employees challenging government restructuring must first exhaust administrative remedies before going to court.
Eminent Domain and Execution Pending Appeal: Safeguarding Government Funds
Supreme Court rules discretionary execution pending appeal does not apply to eminent domain proceedings, protecting government funds from garnishment.
Barangay Boundary Disputes: Why the Sanggunian, Not Courts, Resolves Them First
The Supreme Court clarifies that barangay boundary disputes must first be settled by the sanggunian, not the RTC, under the Local Government Code.
The 20-Lender Rule and Deposit Substitutes in Philippine Bonds Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies the 20-lender rule for deposit substitutes and the 20% final withholding tax on government bonds.
Franchise Tax vs Real Property Tax: Clarifying NGCP's Tax Liabilities
Supreme Court clarifies when NGCP's franchise tax covers real property taxes and when local governments may still collect them.
Diminution of Benefits: Government Employees and Contractual Bonuses Clarified
Supreme Court clarifies when government employees may keep contractual bonuses like the 14th month pay, and the limits of non-diminution.
State Immunity vs Private Rights: Balancing Public Use and Just Compensation
When government agencies take private property without expropriation, state immunity cannot block claims for just compensation and recovery of possession.
Taxation and Due Process: Balancing Government Power and Taxpayer Rights in Deficiency Assessments
The Supreme Court clarifies when the CTA may require a surety bond to suspend tax collection, protecting taxpayer rights.
LRTA v. Pili: When a Government Agency Answers for a Subsidiary's Labor Debts
The Supreme Court clarifies when a government-owned corporation can be held liable for the monetary claims of a subsidiary's employees.
COLA Benefits and Government Employment: Understanding Integrated Salaries Under R.A. 6758
The Supreme Court clarifies when Cost of Living Allowance is deemed integrated into government salaries under R.A. 6758, and why back pay is unauthorized.