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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Retirement Benefits vs Separation Pay: Employee Rights in the Philippines
Philippine law distinguishes retirement benefits from separation pay. Learn the rules, when each applies, and what employees should know.
Leave Benefits for Dismissed Employees: Balancing Justice and Accountability in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies prescriptive periods for money claims and illegal dismissal cases in Texon Manufacturing vs. Millena.
Leave Credits Survive Dismissal: The Paredes v. Padua Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies that dismissed government employees keep earned leave credits, even when retirement benefits are forfeited.
Retirement Benefits, Creditable Service, and the Limits of Tacking in Government-Owned Corporations
A look at how the Supreme Court clarified the rules on retirement benefits, creditable service, and the limits of tacking in government-owned corporations.
Retirement Benefits Creditable Service and the Limits of Tacking in Philippine Labor Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when retirement benefits accrue, how service is counted, and the boundaries of optional retirement under Philippine law.
Retirement Benefits and Abandonment: Crediting Years of Service in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how abandonment of work affects crediting years of service for retirement benefits computation.
Judicial Misconduct: Court Fines Retired Judge for Gross Inefficiency
Supreme Court holds retired judges accountable for gross inefficiency, imposing fines deductible from retirement benefits.
From Part-Time to Full-Time Regular Employment: Protecting Workers' Rights
Philippine Airlines v. Pascua clarifies when part-time workers become regular full-time employees entitled to complete benefits under Philippine labor law.
Work-Related Injury? Basketball on Board a Vessel and Seafarer Disability Claims
The Supreme Court held that a seafarer injured during a basketball game on board a vessel may claim disability benefits under the Bunkhouse Rule.
Breach of Public Trust: Forfeiture of Benefits for Misappropriation of Judiciary Funds
A clerk of court loses retirement benefits for misappropriating judiciary funds, even after full restitution and resignation.
Retroactive Regular Employment: When Prior Service Counts Toward Benefits
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when prior contractual service counts toward regular employment and CBA benefits under labor law.
Security of Tenure in the CES: Clarifying Eligibility and Reassignment Rights
The Court clarifies when a demotion amounts to constructive dismissal, the limits of CBA benefits for managerial employees, and retirement rights under the Labor Code.
Work-Related Injury in a Shipboard Basketball Game: Liability and Damages Under the POEA-SEC
The Supreme Court held that a seafarer injured during a shipboard basketball game may claim disability benefits under the Bunkhouse Rule and Personal Comfort Doctrine.
Balancing Corporate Discretion and Regulatory Oversight: The BCDA Compensation Case
The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of a government corporation's power to grant employee benefits beyond Central Bank standards.
Dismissal for Misconduct: Upholding Ethical Standards in the Judiciary
A Supreme Court decision shows how gross neglect of duty and insubordination by a court employee led to dismissal from service with forfeiture of benefits.
GSIS Employees Entitlement to Longevity Pay and Children's Allowance Amid Salary Standardization
Supreme Court clarifies when GSIS may increase non-integrated benefits like longevity pay and children's allowance after the Salary Standardization Law.
Homicide vs Murder: When Doubt Benefits the Accused
The Supreme Court explains why treachery must be proven beyond doubt, reducing a murder conviction to homicide.
Water District Directors’ Compensation Limits Under PD 198 and the Salary Standardization Law
The Supreme Court affirms COA disallowances of excess benefits to water district directors, ruling PD 198 limits compensation to per diems only.
Estoppel Bars Investor from Questioning Contract After Enjoying Its Benefits
Supreme Court ruling on estoppel: an investor cannot question a trading agreement's validity after benefiting from it and suffering losses.
Contractual Obligations: Estoppel Bars Challenge to Futures Trading Agreement
In Jefferson Lim v. Queensland Tokyo Commodities, Inc., the Supreme Court ruled that a party who enjoys the benefits of a contract cannot later question its validity.
Seafarers Disability Claims: Substantial Compliance and Employer Duty to Assess Fitness
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on seafarers' disability benefits, substantial compliance with POEA contract, and employer responsibility in fitness assessment.
Void Marriages and Inheritance Rights: Determining Legal Heirs in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on void marriages, death benefits, and who qualifies as legal heirs under the Family Code.
Seafarers' Sickness and Disability Benefits: What the Tuazon Case Teaches
The Supreme Court ruled that seafarers can claim sickness and disability benefits even with pre-existing conditions, as long as the illness occurs during the employment contract.