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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Breach of Trust in Employment: Substantiation Required for Valid Termination
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that employers must prove breach of trust with substantial evidence before terminating employees for loss of confidence.
Mutuality of Contracts: When One-Sided Termination Clauses in Employment Contracts Are Void
The Supreme Court explains when a termination clause that leaves dismissal to one party's sole judgment violates the mutuality principle under Article 1308 of the Civil Code.
Dual Employment in the Public Sector: When Service Becomes a Violation of Duty
The Supreme Court clarifies when accepting public sector positions and practicing law can violate the Constitution, Civil Service rules, and the lawyer's oath.
When Contracting Turns Into Employment: Defining the True Employer
Learn how Philippine courts determine the real employer in contracting arrangements and what this means for liability in illegal dismissal cases.
Due Process in Employment Termination: Balancing Employer Authority and Employee Rights in Dismissal Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the two-notice rule and hearing requirement in dismissal cases, and the nominal damages for procedural lapses.
Quitclaims and Continued Employment: Can Post-Termination Actions Revoke Redundancy?
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when quitclaims are valid and whether post-termination tasks revoke a redundancy dismissal.
Constructive Dismissal: Demotion and Altered Work Conditions as Illegal Termination
When a demotion and altered work schedule make continued employment unreasonable, it amounts to constructive dismissal, entitling workers to backwages and reinstatement.
Appeal Bonds in Labor Disputes: Ensuring Workers' Claims Are Secured
Learn how appeal bonds protect workers' monetary claims in labor disputes, based on a Philippine Supreme Court ruling on seasonal employment.
Regular vs Seasonal Employment: Rights of Sugar Plantation Workers
Supreme Court clarifies when seasonal sugar workers become regular employees entitled to security of tenure and full labor rights.
Probationary Employment Termination Requires Just Cause AND Due Process
Probationary employees enjoy security of tenure. Employers must prove just cause and observe due process when terminating them.
Verbal Promises vs Corporate Authority: Enforceability of Employment Benefits in the Philippines
When can a verbal promise by a corporate officer bind the company? The Supreme Court explains the limits of corporate authority over employment benefits.
Regular vs Seasonal Employment: Security of Tenure for Sugar Plantation Workers
When are sugar plantation workers regular employees entitled to security of tenure, not seasonal workers? The Supreme Court explains in Hacienda Bino v. Cuenca.
Probationary Employment: Just Cause and Due Process in Termination
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies rules on terminating probationary employees—just cause and due process requirements explained.
Seafarer Status Contractual Employment AND Security OF TENURE IN Philippine Maritime LAW
The Supreme Court rules that seafarers are contractual employees, not regular employees, even after decades of continuous rehiring.
Part Time Faculty AND Security OF Tenure Examining Employment Status IN Private Universities
Strikes at Sea: Balancing Seafarer Rights and Disciplinary Procedures in Maritime Employment
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on seafarer dismissal for joining a strike, emphasizing due process in maritime disciplinary procedures.
When Actions Speak Louder: Trust, Dishonesty, and Due Process in Employment Termination
A Supreme Court ruling on simple misconduct in the judiciary, explaining why good faith actions can still violate trust and lead to suspension.
Strikes and Public Service: Balancing Rights and Responsibilities in Government Employment
Public school teachers who joined a 1990 mass action were disciplined for conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. The Supreme Court explains why.
Illegal Dismissal: Abandonment Requires Intent to Sever Employment Ties
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that abandonment as a ground for dismissal requires both absence and clear intent to sever employment ties.
Project vs Regular Employment: Security of Tenure in Construction Projects
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when construction workers are project employees and how valid termination works under labor law.
Seafarer Re-Employment Bonus: Proving Vessel Classification for Incentive Claims
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on seafarer re-employment bonus claims, burden of proof for vessel classification, and contractual status of seafarers.
Proving Continuous Employment for Retirement Benefits Under RA 7641
The Supreme Court clarifies when retirement benefits under RA 7641 apply and what evidence proves continuous employment.
Fixed-Term Contracts vs Regular Employment: What Employers and Workers Must Know
A Supreme Court ruling explains when fixed-term employment is valid and how it differs from regular employment under Philippine labor law.
Probationary Period vs Regular Employment: What Happens When Probation Expires
When a probationary employee completes six months, regularization follows automatically. Mitsubishi Motors v. CPLU explains the rules.