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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SALN Declarations and Judicial Ethics: Lessons from a Judge's Insurance Business Case
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when judges face liability for owning businesses and why SALN transparency matters for good faith errors.
SALN Compliance: Government’s Duty to Notify and Consequences of Non-Compliance
The Supreme Court clarifies that government agencies must follow the mandatory review and compliance procedure before penalizing officials for SALN errors or omissions.
SALN Compliance: Government Must Notify Officials and Allow Correction Before Penalties
The Supreme Court clarifies that government agencies must follow the mandatory review and compliance procedure before penalizing officials for SALN errors or omissions.
SALN Errors and Government Access: When the Ombudsman Cannot Prosecute
The Supreme Court clarifies that government agencies must follow the mandatory SALN review procedure before prosecuting public officials for omissions.
SALN Disclosure: Defining the Scope of Assets and the Limits of Prosecutorial Discretion
A look at Bariata v. Ombudsman, which clarifies what must be declared in a SALN and when the Ombudsman's dismissal of charges stands.
SALN Compliance Opportunity to Correct Errors Prevents Haphazard Prosecution of Public Officials
The Supreme Court acquits a public official of SALN violations, ruling that the review and compliance procedure under RA 6713 must precede prosecution.
SALN Compliance Opportunity to Correct Errors Prevents Haphazard Prosecution
Supreme Court acquits public official of SALN violation, ruling that the review and compliance procedure under RA 6713 must precede prosecution.
SALN Misdeclaration: When Is It Simple Negligence, Not Serious Dishonesty?
The Supreme Court clarifies when a public official's SALN misdeclaration is simple negligence rather than serious dishonesty, and why explained wealth matters.
SALN Misdeclarations and Loans: When Public Officials Avoid Administrative Liability
Supreme Court clarifies when a public official's failure to fully declare assets in SALNs is not grave misconduct or dishonesty.
Accurate SALN Declarations: What the Salig Case Teaches About Misconduct Charges
The Supreme Court clarifies when inaccurate SALN entries amount to misconduct or dishonesty, and the importance of the review and compliance procedure.
Understanding the Statute of Limitations in Public Officials' Financial Disclosure Violations
The Supreme Court clarifies when prescription runs for SALN violations under RA 6713 and RA 3019, and what constitutes concealment.
SALN Violations and Perjury: Prescriptive Periods Explained
Learn the prescriptive periods for SALN violations and perjury in the Philippines, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in the Germar case.
SALN Compliance: When Omissions Mean Negligence, Not Misconduct
The Supreme Court clarifies when false SALN entries constitute simple negligence rather than grave misconduct or serious dishonesty in public office.
SALN Violations and Government Ethics: Dishonesty vs Simple Negligence
The Supreme Court clarifies when SALN omissions amount to dishonesty or mere simple negligence in San Diego v. Fact-Finding Investigation Committee.
Prescription of SALN Violations Under RA 6713: When the Eight-Year Period Runs
The Supreme Court clarifies when the prescriptive period for failing to file SALNs under RA 6713 begins—from commission, not discovery.
SALN Dishonesty and Concealed Assets: De Castro v. Field Investigation Office
Supreme Court ruling on SALN dishonesty, concealed assets in children's names, and why omission amounts to grave administrative offense.
Unexplained Wealth and SALN Dishonesty: When Assets in Children's Names Count
Explains when hidden assets in children's names count as SALN dishonesty and why grave misconduct requires a direct link to official duties.
SALN Non-Disclosure: Intent Matters in Administrative Penalties for Public Officials
The Supreme Court clarifies that mere SALN omissions do not automatically mean dishonesty—intent to deceive must be shown.
SALN Misdeclaration and the Good Faith Defense in Administrative Cases
When does a flawed SALN become dishonesty? The Supreme Court clarifies the good faith defense for public officials.
Due Process in Administrative Cases: When a Generalized SALN Is Not Dishonesty
The Supreme Court explains when a generalized SALN amounts to dishonesty, and why public officials must first be given a chance to correct their statements.
Upholding Honesty Dismissal FOR Undisclosed Assets IN Philippine Public Service
The Supreme Court reinstates the dismissal of a DPWH official for failing to disclose assets in SALNs, reaffirming the duty of public servants to be transparent.
Dishonesty in Public Office: The Imperative of Truthful Asset Disclosure
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when SALN misdeclarations constitute dishonesty, not grave misconduct, and the importance of truthful disclosure.
Duty to Disclose Accrued Interest in SALNs and the Limits of Administrative Liability
The Supreme Court clarifies that public officials must declare accrued interest on time deposits in their SALNs, but penalties consider good faith.
Unexplained Wealth and SALN Omissions: Balancing Dishonesty and Simple Negligence in Public Office
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on freeze orders, unexplained wealth, and SALN omissions in public office explained in plain language.