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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Bidding Required Government Contracts Must Ensure Fair Competition
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when public bidding is mandatory for government service contracts and why negotiated awards violate fair competition.
Disbarment for Government Lawyers: Ethical Standards and Public Trust
A PAO lawyer's disbarment for accepting private cases and fees while in government service, and for deceiving a client.
Lawyer Disbarred for Accepting Private Cases and Fees While in Government Service
Supreme Court disbars PAO lawyer for taking private cases and attorney's fees, violating ethical rules and deceiving a client.
The Price of Concealment: Integrity and Honesty in Judicial Appointments
A judge who concealed his prior dismissal from government service was held liable for dishonesty, underscoring the premium on candor in judicial appointments.
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.
Habitual Tardiness in Philippine Government Service: What the Supreme Court Says
The Supreme Court clarifies when tardiness becomes habitual in government service and why common excuses do not justify it.
Dishonesty Beyond Duty: Upholding Dismissal in PAGCOR Case
The Supreme Court ruled that dishonesty need not be work-related to justify dismissal from government service, affirming PAGCOR's dismissal of a branch manager.
Dismissal for Dishonesty, Habitual Absences and Immoral Conduct in Public Service
A Supreme Court ruling reminds public servants that dishonesty, habitual absenteeism and immoral conduct are separate grounds for dismissal from government service.
The High Cost of Dishonesty: Falsifying Credentials in Philippine Government Service
Learn how the Supreme Court penalizes falsified credentials in government service, and what this means for public officials and employees.
Permanent vs Temporary Appointments: Security of Tenure in Philippine Civil Service
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a "permanent" appointment is actually temporary, and what it means for security of tenure in government service.
AWOL in Philippine Government Service: Understanding Absence Without Official Leave and Its Consequences
Learn what AWOL means in Philippine government service, the 30-day rule, and the consequences of dropping from the rolls.
Graft and Corruption in Philippine Law: Lessons from a Falsified Daily Time Record Case
A Supreme Court administrative case shows how falsifying daily time records constitutes dishonesty and graft in Philippine government service.
Breach of Trust: Government Employees, Habitual Absenteeism, and Misuse of Public Funds
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on habitual absenteeism and AWOL in government service, explaining penalties and the public trust doctrine.
Lawyer Disbarred for Grave Misconduct in Handling Court Funds and Land Titles
Supreme Court disbars a Register of Deeds for grave misconduct, affirming that lawyers in government service face professional discipline for official wrongdoing.
Breach of Trust: Dishonesty in Personal Data Sheets Justifies Dismissal of Court Employees
Supreme Court ruling on Biteng v. DILG: false statements in Personal Data Sheets constitute dishonesty warranting dismissal from government service.
Habitual Tardiness in Public Service: Defining the Boundaries of Excusable Lateness
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies that health and traffic issues do not excuse habitual tardiness in government service.
Dismissal for Dishonesty: Falsifying Credentials in Government Service
Supreme Court affirms dismissal of court employee who falsified educational credentials in Personal Data Sheets to gain promotions.
Punctuality and Public Trust: Upholding Ethical Standards in Government Service
The Supreme Court ruled that personal hardships do not excuse habitual tardiness in public office, reaffirming punctuality as a core duty of government employees.
AWOL and Due Process: Lessons from a Court Employee's Dismissal
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when absence without leave (AWOL) triggers dismissal and how due process applies to administrative cases in Philippine government service.
Dismissal From Government Service: The Scope of Reorganization and Due Process
Understand when a government employee's dismissal falls under reorganization rules, not regular civil service procedure, and why timing matters.
Zero Tolerance for Dishonesty: Supreme Court Upholds Integrity in Public Service
The Supreme Court cancels the appointment of a court utility worker who forged a judge's signature, reaffirming that dishonesty disqualifies anyone from government service.
Public Sector Strikes: Balancing Employee Rights and Government Service
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on public school teachers' mass actions, explaining why government employees cannot strike and the limits of constitutional rights.
Why Lawyers in Government Service Are Still Bound by the Code of Professional Responsibility
A prosecutor's failure to remit SSS payments led to reprimand, affirming that public office does not exempt lawyers from ethical rules.
Upholding Integrity in Public Service: Consequences of Neglect of Duty in the Philippines
A court stenographer's gross neglect of duty leads to forfeiture of benefits and a lifetime ban from government service.