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.
Revival of Judgment in the Philippines: Who Are Indispensable Parties and When to File
Learn the rules on reviving a final judgment in the Philippines, including indispensable parties and the 10-year prescriptive period.
Behest Loans in the Philippines: Understanding Anti-Graft Law and Due Diligence
Learn how Philippine courts define behest loans, the role of RA 3019, and why loan repayment does not erase potential graft liability.
Local Tax Assessments After Corporate Restructuring: Who Pays?
Supreme Court rules on who bears local business tax liability when a government corporation's operations transfer by law to another entity.
Fiscal Autonomy vs Accountability: PhilHealth Benefit Disallowances Upheld
The Supreme Court affirms COA disallowances of PhilHealth benefits, clarifying that fiscal autonomy does not mean absolute power over compensation.
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.
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.
Supreme Court on COLA Back Pay for Water District Employees: Good Faith Excuses Refund
The Supreme Court ruled that water district employees need not refund disallowed COLA back pay, citing good faith and the integration of allowances under the Salary Standardization Law.
Corporate Reorganization, Presidential Alter Ego Doctrine, and Security of Tenure Limits
Supreme Court clarifies when government corporate boards may reorganize, reassign officers, and drop employees for poor performance without violating tenure.
Tax Exemptions for Philippine Airlines: Understanding the "In Lieu of All Other Taxes" Provision
The Supreme Court ruled that PAL's franchise tax option exempts it from all other taxes, including the 20% final withholding tax on bank deposits.
Ombudsman Jurisdiction Over GOCCs: The Original Charter Requirement
The Supreme Court limits Ombudsman jurisdiction over GOCCs to those with original charters, not corporations merely acquired by government.
Hazard Pay Eligibility: Defining Public Health Workers Under Philippine Law
Supreme Court clarifies who qualifies as public health workers for hazard pay under RA 7305, using the GSIS case as example.
Del Mar v. PAGCOR: The Scope of PAGCOR's Franchise and Jai-Alai Operations
The Supreme Court ruled PAGCOR's franchise under P.D. 1869 does not include operating jai-alai, a gambling activity requiring express legislative grant.
GOCC vs. Private Corporation: Labor Jurisdiction and the Philippine National Red Cross Case
Learn how the Supreme Court's charter test determines whether an employer is a GOCC and which tribunal—CSC or NLRC—has jurisdiction over labor disputes.
Illegal Dismissal Jurisdiction: Government Corporations Without Original Charters
Supreme Court clarifies which government-owned corporations fall under Labor Code jurisdiction versus Civil Service rules in illegal dismissal cases.
Principals Liability FOR Contractors Wage Violations KEY Protections FOR Workers IN THE Philippines
When can a principal be held liable for a security agency's failure to pay minimum wage? The Supreme Court explains joint and solidary liability under Philippine law.