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.
Solidary Liability and Compromise: When Settling With One Debtor Benefits All
When solidary debtors are sued under a common cause of action, a compromise with one may extinguish liability for all. This explains the rule.
Conflicting Medical Reports: When a Seafarer Gets Full Disability Benefits
Philippine Supreme Court rules on conflicting company doctor reports, entitling seafarer to full permanent disability benefits under POEA-SEC.
Seafarer's Right to Disability Benefits When Employer Delays Post-Employment Medical Exam
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies employer duties and seafarer rights in post-employment medical examinations under the POEA-SEC.
Beyond 120 Days: Seafarer’s Right to Permanent Total Disability Benefits
The Supreme Court clarifies when a seafarer is deemed permanently and totally disabled under the 120-day rule and POEA-SEC.
Causal Connection Is Key in Seafarer Disability Claims for Work-Related Illnesses
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that seafarers must prove a causal connection between their illness and work to receive disability benefits.
Work-Related Skin Illness: Seafarer Wins Disability Benefits Despite Fit-to-Work Declaration
Philippine Supreme Court rules a seafarer with work-related skin illness can get disability benefits even if declared fit to work.
Third Party Beneficiaries and Compromise Agreements: When Excluded Parties Cannot Claim Benefits
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when compromise agreements benefit only named parties, not excluded third parties under stipulation pour autrui.
Presumption of Compensability Protecting Seafarers With Cardiovascular Disease
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on seafarers' disability benefits for cardiovascular disease, presumption of compensability, and POEA-SEC.
When a Quitclaim and Compromise Do Not Bar Later Labor Claims: Dela Rosa Liner
The Supreme Court clarifies when a compromise agreement and quitclaim do not bar a worker's later claims for unpaid wages and benefits.
Public Health Workers' Benefits: Balancing Magna Carta Rights and Budget Rules
Supreme Court rules on DBM-DOH and DBM-CSC circulars affecting hazard pay, subsistence allowance, and longevity pay for public health workers.
Seafarers Disability Navigating THE 120 240 DAY Rule FOR Entitlement TO Benefits
The Supreme Court clarifies that the 120-day rule does not automatically make a seafarer's disability permanent, explaining the 240-day extension.
Loyalty Awards Reconciling Reorganization AND Employee Rights IN THE Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies how corporate reorganizations affect regular employees' security of tenure, retirement rights, and CBA benefits.
Retroactivity of Laws Protecting Vested Retirement Benefits of Military Personnel
Supreme Court rules PD 1638 cannot retroactively strip vested retirement benefits of military retirees under RA 340.
Second Marriages and SSS Benefits: Proving Legal Spousal Status for Social Security Claims
The Supreme Court clarifies that only a legal spouse qualifies for SSS death benefits, even if the member designated a second wife as beneficiary.
COA Auditors Barred From Agency Benefits: Nacion v. COA
Supreme Court affirms COA's discipline of auditor who received bonuses, housing, and car loans from audited agency MWSS.
Retirement Benefits for Seasonal Workers: Entitlement and Computation Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies how seasonal workers' retirement pay is computed under Article 287 and RA 7641, including the six-month rule.
Seafarers Disability Benefits: Employer Must Pay Full Benefits Despite Initial Assessment
Philippine Supreme Court rules seafarers entitled to full disability benefits when treatment exceeds 240 days, even with a lower disability rating.
Work-Related Injury Death After Contract Compensable Claim
Supreme Court rules death benefits are payable when a seafarer's work-related injury causes death after contract termination due to medical repatriation.
Seafarers Heart Disease Proving THE Link Between Work AND Illness FOR Disability Benefits
A seafarer's stroke was ruled work-related and compensable. Learn how the Supreme Court proved the link between work and illness.
Employees Compensation for Leukemia: Proving Increased Occupational Risk
A widow's claim for EC death benefits failed because she could not prove her husband's security guard work increased his leukemia risk.
Burden of Proof in Labor Disputes: Employers Must Substantiate Claims of Payment
Employers who claim they paid workers' wages and benefits must prove it with payroll records. Learn the rule from a 2014 Supreme Court case.
Seafarers Rights Medical Expenses Are Separate From Disability Benefits
Supreme Court clarifies that medical expenses, sickness allowance, and disability benefits are separate liabilities under the POEA-SEC.
Spousal Support and Retirement Benefits: Protection Orders Under R.A. 9262
The Supreme Court rules that R.A. 9262 protection orders can compel the AFP to withhold retirement benefits for spousal support.
Seafarers' Rights: Implied Contract Extension and Disability Benefits
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on implied contract extension for seafarers and entitlement to permanent total disability benefits under POEA-SEC.