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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Estate Tax in the Philippines: A Practical Guide for Heirs and Beneficiaries
Learn the Philippine estate tax rules: the 6% rate, deductions, filing deadlines, exemptions, and penalties under the TRAIN Law.
Sales Commissions Are Wages: Supreme Court Ruling on Unpaid Commissions and Unauthorized Deductions
Sales commissions are wages under Philippine law. Learn what the Supreme Court ruled on unpaid commissions and unauthorized car plan deductions.
Substantiation of Tax Deductions: Proper Documentation Under Philippine Tax Law
Philippine law requires proper documentation for tax deductions, including PWD discounts. Learn the rules and substantiation requirements.
Payroll Deductions and Employer Obligations: PAL v. PESALA
When an employer ignores court orders on payroll deductions, it may be liable for undeducted amounts plus interest.
Support Pendente Lite: Defining Indispensable Needs in Marital Separation
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies what expenses count as support pendente lite and which deductions are allowed in marital separation cases.
Wage Deductions VS Post Employment Claims Protecting Employee Rights
Learn how the Supreme Court protects employee rights in wage deductions, labor-only contracting, and illegal dismissal cases under Philippine law.
Breach of Trust: When Banks Overstep Their Authority Over Depositor Accounts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on bank liability for unauthorized deductions from depositor accounts and the fiduciary duty of banks.
Toll Fee Deductions and Due Process: Protecting Employee Wages and Rights in Dismissal Cases
Supreme Court rules on illegal wage deductions from commissions and clarifies the 30-day preventive suspension rule in labor cases.
Safeguarding Employee Rights: The Imperative of Due Process in Termination Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on Genesis Transport clarifies preventive suspension limits, valid dismissal, and illegal wage deductions under the Labor Code.
Estate Tax Deductions: Claims Valued at Death, Not Post-Death Settlements
Philippine Supreme Court rules estate tax deductions for claims against the estate are valued at date of death, not reduced by later compromise settlements.
Advertising Expenses and Tax Deductions: Ordinary vs. Capital Outlay in the Philippines
Philippine tax law on advertising deductions: when a colossal ad spend becomes a capital outlay, not an ordinary expense.
Illegal Dismissal Case: Why Salary Deductions Defeated a Theft Claim
Supreme Court ruling on illegal dismissal: employer's theft claim failed because goods were paid via salary deductions and due process was not observed.
Estate TAX Deductions Allowing Notarial AND Guardianship Fees TO Reduce Taxable Estate Value
Union Dues and Attorney's Fees: Protecting Employee Rights in Collective Bargaining
The Supreme Court clarifies when attorney's fees can be charged to union members and the strict rules on check-off deductions.
Union Dues and Employee Rights: Ensuring Legal Check-Offs in the Philippines
Philippine law on union dues check-off explained: what employees must know about authorized deductions, consent, and their rights under labor rules.