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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Habitual Tardiness in Philippine Government Service: What the Supreme Court Says
The Supreme Court clarifies when tardiness becomes habitual in government service and why common excuses do not justify it.
Willful Failure to Pay Just Debts: Disciplinary Risks for Philippine Government Employees
Philippine public servants can face administrative discipline for willful failure to pay just debts, even after settlement. Learn the rules and risks.
Estoppel Against the Philippine Government: When It Does Not Apply in Land Registration Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when the government cannot be estopped from challenging void land registration judgments, even after decades of delay.
The High Cost of Dishonesty: Falsifying Credentials in Philippine Government Service
Learn how the Supreme Court penalizes falsified credentials in government service, and what this means for public officials and employees.
AWOL and Dismissal: Consequences of Unexcused Absences for Philippine Government Employees
Learn how Philippine civil service rules treat AWOL—30 days of unexcused absence can lead to separation or dropping from the rolls.
AWOL and Due Process: Lessons from a Court Employee's Dismissal
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when absence without leave (AWOL) triggers dismissal and how due process applies to administrative cases in Philippine government service.
Habitual Absenteeism of Government Employees: Penalties and Lessons from a Supreme Court Ruling
Habitual absenteeism is a grave offense for Philippine government employees. Learn the rules, penalties, and key lessons from a landmark Supreme Court case.
Consequences of Neglecting Fiduciary Duties: A Guide for Philippine Government Officials
Learn how a judge's four-year delay in remitting court funds led to a P20,000 fine for gross neglect of duty.