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.
Constructive Dismissal and Contract Ambiguity: Lessons from Esico v. Alphaland
The Supreme Court's ruling in Esico v. Alphaland clarifies constructive dismissal claims and the consequences of ambiguous employment contracts.
Understanding Preventive Suspension in Philippine Administrative Law: Rights and Remedies
Learn the rules on preventive suspension in Philippine administrative law, including grounds, duration, and the rights of public officers facing investigation.
Public Office as Public Trust: Lessons from the Deputy Ombudsman Administrative Case
The Supreme Court's ruling against a former Deputy Ombudsman clarifies the administrative offenses of neglect, misconduct, and abuse of authority.
PhilHealth Personnel as Public Health Workers: The UHC Act's Curative Effect on Benefits
The Supreme Court confirms PhilHealth personnel are public health workers entitled to hazard, subsistence, and laundry allowances under RA 7305.
Hazard Pay for Public Health Workers: Fixed Rates vs. Legal Mandates
Supreme Court rules on fixed hazard pay rates for public health workers, voiding DOH AO 2006-0011 and excusing refund liability.
Understanding Regular Employment Status and Illegal Dismissal in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when a worker becomes a regular employee and what constitutes illegal dismissal, using a truck driver's case.
Understanding Employee Entitlements: The Right to 13th Month Pay for Commission-Based Workers in the Philippin
A clear guide to the 13th month pay rule for commission-based employees, citing the latest Supreme Court interpretation.
Tuition Fee Increases and Employee Benefits: The Supreme Court's Ruling on Allocation of Incremental Proceeds
The Supreme Court clarifies that retirement plan contributions may be charged against the 70% tuition fee incremental proceeds under RA 6728.
Regular vs. Fixed-Term Employment: Key Lessons from Site for Eyes v. Daming
The Supreme Court ruled that repeated fixed-term contracts cannot defeat regular employment status. Learn the key lessons from this landmark case.
SALN Misdeclarations and Loans: When Public Officials Avoid Administrative Liability
Supreme Court clarifies when a public official's failure to fully declare assets in SALNs is not grave misconduct or dishonesty.
Seafarer Claims and Agency Transfers: What the Supreme Court Ruled
Learn how agency transfers affect seafarer liability claims, including the original manning agency's continuing responsibility under Philippine law.
Understanding Juridical Possession and Its Impact on Estafa Convictions in the Philippines
A branch manager's conviction for estafa was reversed because she lacked juridical possession of goods—explaining a key element of Article 315.
The Four-Fold Test in Philippine Labor Law: A Guide to Employment Status
Learn how the four-fold test determines employee status in the Philippines, with insights from a landmark Supreme Court ruling.
Racist Behavior as Serious Misconduct: What Ocampo v. International Ship Crew Management Means for Philippine
The Supreme Court ruled that a ship captain's racist treatment of crew members justifies dismissal for serious misconduct under Philippine labor law.
Reassignment Orders and Insubordination: What Public Employees Must Know
Public employees must comply with reassignment orders even while appeals are pending. The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of insubordination.
Determining Employee Status: The Fine Line Between Employment and Partnership in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when workers are employees, not partners, and the legal consequences for dismissal in the Philippines.
Grave Misconduct and Serious Dishonesty: Lessons from Pantaleon v. Ombudsman-Mindanao
A revenue clerk's unauthorized lending of public funds led to dismissal. The Supreme Court explains grave misconduct and serious dishonesty.
Navigating Liability in Government Housing Loan Disbursements: Insights from a Landmark COA Ruling
Learn how the Supreme Court rules on COA disallowances, good faith defenses, and liability for government employees who received disallowed benefits.
COLA Integration Into Government Salaries: What the Lumauan Ruling Means
The Supreme Court explains when cost of living allowance is deemed integrated into government salaries and who must refund disallowed payments.
Understanding Good Faith in Government Contract Disputes When Public Officers Are Excused From Liability
The Supreme Court clarifies when public officers may be excused from liability in government contract disputes involving disallowed disbursements.
Understanding Dislocation Allowances Legal Insights AND Implications FOR Government Employees
The Supreme Court ruled on incentive allowances for government employees, clarifying limits under Philippine law on additional compensation.
Lateral Transfers and Security of Tenure in Philippine Civil Service
When a government employee's lateral transfer appointment is disapproved, does the employee automatically revert to a former position? The Supreme Court clarifies.
Limits of Compensation Authority in Government Corporations: Insights from SSS v. COA
The Supreme Court clarifies when GOCCs may grant employee benefits without presidential approval, and when officers may be excused from refunding disallowed amounts.
Gross Discourtesy in the Judiciary: The Clerk of Court Case and Its Lessons
A Supreme Court ruling on a clerk of court's discourtesy shows the high standards of conduct expected of all judicial personnel.