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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Gross Misconduct and Serious Dishonesty: Lessons from a Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Case
A lawyer who abandoned his client, ignored court orders, and borrowed money from a client faced a three-year suspension. Learn the ethical rules.
Illegal Dismissal and Wage Claims: Lessons from Lusabia v. Super K Drug Corporation
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies abandonment of employment, the employer's burden of proof in wage disputes, and remedies for illegally dismissed workers.
Navigating Expropriation: The Critical Role of Public Purpose in Philippine Property Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that expropriation requires a genuine public purpose, which landowners can challenge when projects are abandoned.
Medical Abandonment and Seafarers' Disability Claims: The Antolino Case
When a seafarer skips required medical check-ups, disability benefits may be forfeited. The Supreme Court explains the limits of financial incapacity as an excuse.
Constructive Dismissal and Abandonment: Key Insights from a Philippine Labor Case
Learn how Philippine courts distinguish constructive dismissal from abandonment of work, and when separation pay is due.
Disbarment for Adultery and Abandonment: Moral Standards for Philippine Lawyers
The Supreme Court disbarred a lawyer for adultery and abandoning his family, reaffirming that private misconduct reflects on fitness to practice law.
Subrogation and Prescription: Insurers' Rights in Quasi-Delict Claims Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when prescription runs for insurers subrogated to insureds' quasi-delict claims, abandoning the Vector doctrine.
Seafarers Disability Claim Denied for Concealing Pre-Existing Condition and Abandoning Treatment
Supreme Court denies seafarer's disability claim for fraudulent misrepresentation in PEME and medical abandonment under the 2000 POEA-SEC.
Financial Abuse as Psychological Violence: Supreme Court Upholds VAWC Protection for Wives
The Supreme Court rules that a husband's denial of financial support can constitute psychological violence under RA 9262, affirming a conviction.
Disbarment for Abandonment and Immorality: Ceniza v. Ceniza
A lawyer's abandonment of his family to cohabit with a married woman warrants disbarment for gross immorality under the CPR.
Seafarer Disability Claims: The Primacy of the Company-Designated Physician's Assessment
A seafarer who abandons prescribed treatment and files a disability claim prematurely loses the right to total permanent disability benefits.
Lawyer Disbarred for Neglect and Client Abandonment: Lessons on Legal Ethics
Supreme Court suspends lawyer for two years and orders return of fees for neglecting a client's annulment case.
Dismissal Upheld: Repeated Misconduct Justifies Strict Penalty Despite Length of Service
Court rules repeated misconduct and abandonment of post justify dismissal despite 17 years of service in government.
Piece-Rate Workers Are Regular Employees Entitled to Security of Tenure
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that piece-rate payment does not negate regular employment, and abandonment requires proof of intent.
Seafarer's Right to Disability Benefits: The Indefinite Assessment and the Third Doctor Rule
A seafarer who abandons treatment cannot claim permanent disability benefits. The Supreme Court explains the 120/240-day rule and the third doctor rule.
Abandonment OF Treatment AND Forfeiture OF Disability Benefits FOR Seafarers AN Analysis
Illegal Dismissal vs. Abandonment: When Turning Over Files Means Termination
The Supreme Court clarifies when an employee's turnover of files signals dismissal rather than abandonment, protecting workers' security of tenure.
Upholding Integrity in Notarial Duty: Consequences of Improper Acknowledgment in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court suspends a notary public for notarizing a deed without the seller's husband personally appearing—a reminder that notarization is never a routinary act.
When a Bus Driver's Sabbatical Becomes a Retirement Claim: The Macuray Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when a driver's break from work is abandonment, sabbatical, or retirement—and what benefits are due.
Habitual Absenteeism in the Judiciary: Dismissal for Court Employee Who Abandoned Post
Supreme Court dismisses court interpreter for habitual absenteeism, forfeiting benefits and barring re-employment in government service.
Self-Defense Claim Fails: Supreme Court Upholds Conviction in Parricide and Homicide Case
The Supreme Court explains why a husband's self-defense claim failed after he killed his wife and mother-in-law, affirming conviction for parricide and homicide.
Mining Rights Due Process Prevails Over Automatic Abandonment in Philippine Mining Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that mining claims cannot be automatically abandoned for failure to file work obligation reports; due process must first be observed.
Abandonment vs Illegal Dismissal: Proving the Fact of Termination
In illegal dismissal cases, the employee must first prove the fact of dismissal. The Supreme Court explains the rules on abandonment.
Abandonment Requires Clear Intent Protecting Employees From Unjust Dismissal
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that abandonment of work requires clear intent to sever employment, not mere absence from work.