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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Presidential Approval for GOCC Employee Benefits: Lessons from the PMDC Case
The Supreme Court ruled that GOCCs must secure presidential approval for employee benefits under PD 1597, regardless of charter status.
Navigating Disability Benefits for Seafarers: The Supreme Court's Ruling on Medical Assessments and Compensati
The Supreme Court clarifies when a seafarer's illness is presumed work-related and why a company doctor's bare finding of non-work relation is not enough.
Finality Prevails: Why Prior Judgments Bar Annulment Based on the Same Claims
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled that receiving final retirement benefits bars a later illegal dismissal claim.
Seafarers Disability Claim: Premature Filing and Abandonment of Treatment
Learn when a seafarer's disability claim is premature and how abandoning medical treatment can forfeit benefits under the POEA-SEC.
Understanding Refund Obligations for Illegally Disbursed Government Benefits in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when government employees must refund disallowed benefits, applying the Madera rules on return.
Navigating Disability Benefits for Seafarers: Material Concealment and Work-Related Illnesses
The Supreme Court clarifies when a seafarer's non-disclosure of a medical condition bars disability claims, and when a heart ailment is compensable under the POEA-SEC.
Navigating Disability Benefits for Seafarers: The Supreme Court's Ruling on Medical Assessments
A seafarer's disability claim can fail if the company doctor's assessment is not timely challenged. Learn the rules from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
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.
Understanding the Consequences of Accepting Unauthorized Benefits: A Guide for Public Officials
COA personnel who accepted prohibited benefits from a GOCC were dismissed for grave misconduct. Learn the rules and penalties.
PNCC Ruling: Labor Code Applies to Non-Chartered GOCCs, But RA 10149 Limits Benefits
Supreme Court clarifies that non-chartered GOCCs like PNCC are under the Labor Code, yet RA 10149 restricts employee benefits without presidential approval.
Understanding CNA Benefits: Who Qualifies and the Consequences of Misallocation
The Supreme Court clarifies CNA incentive eligibility and the liability for granting benefits to non-qualified employees.
Seafarer Disability Benefits: The 120/240-Day Rule and Third Doctor Assessment
Learn how the 120/240-day rule and third doctor assessment affect seafarer disability claims, and when the POEA-SEC governs over a CBA.
Employer Liability and Disability Benefits for Overseas Filipino Workers
Learn how the Supreme Court clarifies employer liability and disability benefits for overseas Filipino workers in this detailed legal analysis.
Seafarer Disability Claims: When a Company Doctor's Assessment Is Not Enough
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a seafarer may claim total permanent disability benefits despite a company doctor's fit-to-work certification.
Seafarer Disability Benefits: When Lack of Medical Assessment Means Permanent Disability
Philippine Supreme Court rules that a company-designated physician's failure to issue a definite medical assessment within 120 days can entitle a seafarer to permanent disability benefits.
Seafarer Disability Benefits: When a Hotel Shower Injury Becomes Compensable
The Supreme Court clarifies when a seafarer's injury, even one occurring in a hotel before boarding, can be compensable as work-aggravated.
Navigating Disability Benefits for Seafarers: The 120/240-Day Rule and Timely Medical Assessments
A seafarer's disability claim hinges on timely, definitive medical assessments. The Supreme Court clarifies the 120/240-day rule.
Navigating Disability Claims: Why Comprehensive Medical Assessments Matter for Seafarers
A Supreme Court ruling on seafarer disability benefits highlights why complete, final medical assessments are crucial in maritime compensation claims.
Judicial Misconduct and Ignorance of Law: Lessons from a Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Case
A process server's unauthorized receipt of cash bail led to forfeiture of retirement benefits and perpetual disqualification. Learn the rules.
Understanding Gross Misconduct: The Consequences of Mishandling Cash Bail in Philippine Courts
A court process server who received P36,000 as cash bail but failed to turn it over was found guilty of gross misconduct, forfeiting retirement benefits.
Seafarer Disability Claims: The 3-Day Reporting Rule and Its Exceptions
The Supreme Court clarifies when a seafarer's failure to report within 3 days of repatriation does not bar disability benefits.
Total and Permanent Disability: Key Lessons from a Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
A seafarer won total disability benefits because the company doctor's assessment was never given to him. Learn the rules.
Navigating Disability Benefits for Seafarers: The Importance of Timely Medical Assessments
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that seafarers must receive a copy of the company doctor's final disability assessment within 120 or 240 days, or they may be deemed totally and permanently disabled.
SEC v. COA: Retained Income, Provident Funds, and the Limits of Agency Discretion
The Supreme Court ruled on when government agencies may use retained income for personnel benefits, and who must refund disallowed amounts.