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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Election Bans and Government Employee Reassignments: What Davalos Teaches Us
A look at how the Supreme Court treats cash advances, liquidation duties, and accountability of public officers.
Supreme Court Upholds EO 420: Streamlining Government ID Systems Is Valid Executive Action
The Supreme Court upheld EO 420, ruling that unifying government ID systems is a valid exercise of presidential power, not legislation.
When Can Philippine Courts Issue Injunctions Against Government Orders? A Look at EO 420
The Supreme Court explains when courts can review executive orders, using the EO 420 unified ID system case as a guide.
Consequences OF Unapproved Absence Dismissal FOR Government Employees Absent Without Leave Awol
Executive Order 420 and the Right to Privacy: When ID Systems Need Legislation
The Supreme Court upheld EO 420, ruling that unifying existing government ID systems is a valid executive act, not legislation.
Executive Power vs Legislative Authority: Streamlining Government IDs in the Philippines
The Supreme Court upheld EO 420 on unified government IDs, clarifying the limits of presidential power of control.
Due Process in Employee Dismissal: Backwages Only for Bad Faith Termination
Learn when reinstated government employees can claim backwages, and why procedural rules on appeals must still be followed.
Mandatory Suspension of Public Officials: Falsification of Documents as Fraud Against Government Funds
Explaining Bustillo v. Sandiganbayan: when falsification of official documents triggers mandatory preventive suspension under RA 3019.
AWOL and Dismissal: Consequences of Unexcused Absences for Philippine Government Employees
Learn how Philippine civil service rules treat AWOL—30 days of unexcused absence can lead to separation or dropping from the rolls.
Conflict of Interest and Private Practice: Lessons from Lim-Santiago v. Sagucio
A disbarment case clarifies when a lawyer's past ties create a conflict and why government prosecutors cannot practice privately.
When Can Courts Halt Government Infrastructure Projects? The Hernandez Ruling
The Supreme Court explains when courts may issue injunctions against government infrastructure projects despite PD 1818.
Habitual Tardiness of Government Employees: Lessons from a Supreme Court Ruling
A Supreme Court ruling on a clerk of court's habitual tardiness clarifies that health and traffic excuses do not justify repeated lateness.
Mayor's Authority to Sign Contracts: Local Government Powers Under Philippine Law
Learn when a city mayor can validly sign contracts for the local government, based on a Philippine Supreme Court ruling on market stall leases.
Public vs Private Entities: Defining Government Control Over Philippine Corporations
The Supreme Court's ruling in Veterans Federation of the Philippines v. Reyes clarifies when a corporation is public and subject to government control.
When Government Takes Property Without Expropriation: Just Compensation Rules
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how to value property taken by government without expropriation proceedings, and when back rentals are due.
Corporate Autonomy and Employee Benefits: The PPA Hazard Pay and Birthday Gift Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when government-owned corporations can grant employee benefits, using the PPA hazard pay and birthday cash gift case.
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.
Navigating Anti-Graft Laws in Philippine Government Transactions: Good Faith and Due Diligence
Learn how Philippine courts apply good faith and due diligence standards in government asset sales under the Anti-Graft Law.
Discretion in Government Bidding: When Courts Can Intervene
The Supreme Court explains the wide discretion of government agencies in bidding awards and the limits of judicial review.
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.
Land Title Registration: Why Government Declassification Is Essential in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains why land must be declassified as alienable before it can be privately owned and registered.
Protecting Your Retirement: When the Government Can Withhold Benefits in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains when retirement benefits can be withheld for government debts, and what protections retirees have.
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.
Genuine Necessity in Eminent Domain: Understanding Property Rights in the Philippines
The Supreme Court defines "genuine necessity" in expropriation cases and protects property rights against arbitrary government taking.