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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Unsolicited Proposal and Swiss Challenge in Philippine Government Procurement
How unsolicited proposals and the Swiss challenge work under the New Government Procurement Act, including the bid matching rules and award conditions.
Selling Technology to the Philippine Government: Procurement Basics
Selling technology to the Philippine government? Learn how procurement rules under RA 12009 govern eligibility, bidding, and contracts with agencies.
Bid Security and Performance Security in Philippine Government Contracts
Understand bid security and performance security in Philippine government procurement under RA 12009 and its IRR, including their purpose and key rules.
Variation Orders in Philippine Government Contracts: What Contractors Must Know
A variation order in a Philippine government contract changes the work, cost, or time of an ongoing project. Learn how the procurement law governs these changes.
Disputes with Philippine Government Agencies and LGUs Over Contracts
Facing a dispute with a Philippine government agency or LGU over a contract? Learn how procurement rules, LGU powers, and remedies shape your case.
Anti-Graft Compliance in Philippine Government Contracts: Key Rules
Anti-graft compliance in Philippine government contracts rests on Republic Act No. 3019, the Ombudsman Act, and the Government Procurement Reform Act.
Graft and Corruption: Navigating Good Faith in Philippine Government Contracts
The Supreme Court acquits engineers of graft for lack of evident bad faith, but orders restitution for a phantom fence project.
Gross Misconduct and Insubordination in Philippine Government Service: A Guide for Employees
Learn how the Supreme Court defines gross misconduct and insubordination in government service, and the penalties that follow.
Simple Misconduct vs. Grave Misconduct: A Philippine Government Accountability Guide
The Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between simple and grave misconduct in Aragon-Mabang v. Ombudsman, a landmark 2024 ruling on public officer liability.
Habitual Tardiness in Philippine Government Service: When Is It a Light Offense?
The Supreme Court clarifies when habitual tardiness is a light offense, not a grave one, in a 2021 ruling.
Navigating Collective Negotiation Agreement Incentives in Philippine Government Agencies
The Supreme Court clarifies when CNA incentives may be granted to managerial employees and who must refund disallowed amounts.
Understanding Finality of Audit Decisions: A Guide to Timely Appeals in Philippine Government Audits
Learn how the Supreme Court upheld COA's dismissal of PhilHealth's belated appeal, and why strict deadlines matter in government audit cases.
Understanding Mitigating Circumstances in Administrative Penalties: A Case of Fairness in Government Service
Explore how mitigating circumstances affect administrative penalties in Philippine government service, promoting fairness and proportionality in disciplinary actions.
AWOL and Accountability: Dropping Employees from the Rolls for Unauthorized Absences
Learn when Philippine government employees can be dropped from the rolls for AWOL, the procedure involved, and what benefits remain.
Calendar Days vs. Working Days: How Suspensions Are Counted for Philippine Government Employees
The Supreme Court clarifies that suspensions for government employees are served in calendar days, including weekends and holidays, not working days.
AWOL in Government Service: Supreme Court Upholds Dropping Employee From Rolls
Learn when Philippine government employees may be dropped from the rolls for AWOL, based on a 2018 Supreme Court ruling.
Understanding Habitual Tardiness in Philippine Government Service: Rules and Consequences
A clear guide to the rules on habitual tardiness in Philippine government service, including the legal basis, penalties, and practical compliance tips.
Is Your Organization Subject to Government Audit? Understanding COA Jurisdiction in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when Philippine government agencies may be audited by the Commission on Audit, and what this means for private organizations.
Personal Liability of Public Officials: COA Disallowances and Due Process in Philippine Government Contracts
When can public officials be held personally liable for disallowed government payments? The Supreme Court explains the rules on due process and liability.
When Can You Sue the Philippine Government? The ATO Case Explained
The Supreme Court explains when government agencies can be sued, distinguishing sovereign from proprietary functions in the Air Transportation Office case.
When Can Government Agencies Be Sued? The ATO Case on Tax and Sovereign Immunity
Explaining when Philippine government agencies can be sued, using the Air Transportation Office case on property tax disputes.
Standardized Salaries vs Employee Benefits: Clarifying COLA Integration for Philippine Government Workers
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when COLA and similar allowances are deemed integrated into standardized government salaries under R.A. 6758.
When Does a Government Employee's Cash Shortage Become Grave Misconduct?
A Supreme Court ruling explains when cash shortages become grave misconduct and dishonesty in Philippine government service.
Philippine Government Employees and the Right to Protest: Understanding the Limits of Mass Actions
The Supreme Court clarifies the scope of civil servants' right to protest and the legal boundaries of mass actions in the Philippines.