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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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.
Healthcare Allowances for Government Employees: Defining a Health Program Under the Law
The Supreme Court disallowed TESDA's P5,000 healthcare allowance, ruling that a health program under CSC rules cannot be converted into cash without presidential approval.
Standardized Salaries vs Additional Compensation: Navigating Government Employee Benefits
The Supreme Court clarifies when government employees may receive allowances beyond standardized salaries under RA 6758, the Salary Standardization Law.
Breach OF Trust Establishing Conspiracy IN Qualified Theft Among Government Employees
When Do Government Employees Lose Their Right to Allowances After Integration
Explaining when COLA and other allowances are deemed integrated into basic salary under the Salary Standardization Law, citing Land Bank v. Naval.
Double Compensation and Gratuity Pay: Constitutional Limits for Government Workers
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when gratuity pay becomes prohibited double compensation under the Constitution for government employees.
Frequent Unauthorized Absences: Court Clerk Suspended for Six Months
A court clerk's repeated absences without leave led to a six-month suspension, clarifying the strict rules on leave and attendance for government employees.
Travel Authority for Government Employees: Lessons from a Court Stenographer's Suspension
A court stenographer's suspension for traveling abroad without travel authority and concealing it in her leave application offers key lessons for government employees.
When a Judgment Becomes Final: Back Wages and Reinstatement for Dismissed Government Employees
The Supreme Court clarifies when a judgment against a government agency becomes final, and what an illegally dismissed employee may recover.
Due Process for Casual Employees: Security of Tenure in Philippine Civil Service
The Supreme Court clarifies that casual government employees enjoy security of tenure and cannot be dismissed without cause and due process.
Loafing in the Workplace: Philippine Law, Penalties, and the Fortaleza Case
Learn what constitutes loafing under Philippine law, its penalties for government employees, and key lessons from a Supreme Court ruling.
Reassignment and RATA: When Government Employees Keep Their Allowance
The Supreme Court clarifies when a reassigned local government employee may continue receiving RATA, balancing administrative authority with employee rights.
GSIS Contributions: Can Dismissed Government Employees Recover Their Personal Shares?
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether dismissed government employees can recover personal GSIS contributions and premiums.
Reorganization in Bad Faith: Protecting Security of Tenure in Government Employment
Explore how the Supreme Court shields government employees from bad-faith reorganizations, ensuring security of tenure remains a constitutional safeguard.
Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies: CSC Jurisdiction Over Government Reorganization Disputes
Learn why the Supreme Court ruled that dismissed government employees must first exhaust remedies before the CSC, not the courts.
Retirement Options for Re-Employed Government Employees: When Choice Is Lost
Explaining when a re-employed government retiree loses the right to choose a retirement law, based on Santos v. GSIS.
Exhaustion of Remedies and Forum Shopping: Lessons from Oporto v. NPC Board
Supreme Court ruling on exhaustion of administrative remedies, forum shopping, and due process in administrative cases against government employees.
No Back Salaries for Government Employees Dismissed in Good Faith: Protecting Public Funds
Supreme Court rules government employees dismissed in good faith are not entitled to back salaries upon reinstatement, upholding Octot v. Ybañez.
When Can a Government Employee Be Dropped From the Rolls for Unsatisfactory Performance?
Philippine law on dropping government employees from the rolls for unsatisfactory performance, and the due process requirements that protect them.
Preventive Suspension and Backwages of Local Government Employees Under Investigation
When can a suspended local government employee claim backwages? The Supreme Court clarifies the rule in Plaza v. Court of Appeals.
Philippine Government Employees and the Right to Protest: Understanding the Limits of Mass Actions
The Supreme Court clarifies the scope of civil servants' right to protest and the legal boundaries of mass actions in the Philippines.
Finality of Judgments and Due Process in Dropping Government Employees for Mental Incapacity
When can a government employer drop an employee for mental incapacity? The Supreme Court clarifies the two-notice rule and due process requirements.
Upholding Public Trust Accountability for Dishonored Debts in Government Service
Court interpreter reprimanded for willful failure to pay just debts. Learn the ethics rules for government employees and their personal obligations.
DTR Rules and Office Hours for Government Employees: Key Lessons from a Supreme Court Ruling
A Supreme Court ruling on falsified DTRs clarifies strict office hours, the 40-hour work week, and flexi-time limits for government employees.