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.
When Religious Ministers Are Employees: SSS Coverage and the Condonation Doctrine
The Supreme Court ruled that religious ministers can be SSS-covered employees, clarifying the limits of church-state separation in secular matters.
Religious Freedom and SSS Coverage: The Salvation Army Case Explained
The Supreme Court ruled that religious ministers can be SSS-covered employees. Learn how the Court balanced faith and social security law.
Navigating Employee Incentives Understanding THE Limits OF Government Agency Compensation Powers
The Supreme Court affirms COA's disallowance of CNA incentives given to non-rank-and-file SSS employees, clarifying limits on agency compensation powers.
Understanding CNA Benefits: Who Qualifies and the Consequences of Misallocation
The Supreme Court clarifies CNA incentive eligibility and the liability for granting benefits to non-qualified employees.
Employer Liability for Unremitted SSS Contributions: Key Lessons from the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court clarifies employer liability for unremitted SSS contributions, damages, and penalties under the Social Security Act.
Valid Service and Due Process: The Duty to Notify SSS of an Address Change
When a party fails to notify the SSS of a change of address, service of notices at the old address remains valid and binding.
SSS Erroneous Contributions and the Principle of Estoppel: A Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
Explore the Supreme Court's ruling on erroneous SSS contributions, estoppel against government agencies, and employee membership validity.
Redemption Rights Upheld: SSS Bound by Repurchase Agreement Despite Procedural Lapses
Supreme Court rules SSS must honor deed of conditional sale for foreclosed property, despite expired redemption period and internal procedural lapses.
SSS Death Benefits: Does Legal Separation Bar a Spouse’s Claim?
Legal marriage alone does not guarantee SSS death benefits—surviving spouses must prove actual dependency, especially after separation.
Judicial Review and Abuse of Discretion: Safeguarding Rights in Administrative Penalties
A look at Laurel v. SSS on when Rule 65 certiorari is the correct remedy against final administrative penalties.
Who Gets SSS Death Benefits When a Member Has Multiple Wives? A Primer on Beneficiary Rules
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies who qualifies as primary beneficiary under the SSS Law when a member leaves behind a legal spouse and common-law families.
Cooperative Membership vs Employment: Defining SSS Coverage Obligations
Supreme Court rules cooperatives can be employers of their owner-members for SSS coverage purposes, clarifying when membership does not negate employment.
Mootness in Corporate Mergers: SSS Investment Disposition Examined
When a corporate merger dissolves the subject shares, a case over their sale becomes moot. The Supreme Court explains.
Second Marriages and SSS Death Benefits: Why Court Decisions Matter
The Supreme Court rules on whether the SSS can disregard a court declaration of presumptive death when awarding death benefits.
SSS Death Benefits: Proving Spousal and Child Dependency in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on SSS death benefit claims, focusing on proving dependency for spouses and legitimacy for children.
SSS Death Benefits for Legal Spouses: Separation Agreements and Beneficiary Rights
A look at how Philippine law treats legal spouses as SSS primary beneficiaries despite separation agreements, and the procedural lessons from a 2006 Supreme Court ruling.
Lawyer's Neglect of Client's Case Warrants Suspension from Practice
Supreme Court suspends lawyer for three months for gross negligence in failing to file position paper and attend hearings before the Social Security Commission.
Notarizing Documents: The Attorney's Duty to Verify Identity and Authenticity
A lawyer who notarized complaints for dead persons was suspended. Learn the notary's duty to verify identity and ensure authenticity.