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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When Misrepresentations Lead to Estafa: The Dangers of Falsely Claiming the Ability to Process Travel Document
The Supreme Court clarifies when false claims about processing travel documents constitute estafa, even without promises of employment abroad.
Judicial Ethics: Upholding Moral Standards and Avoiding Impropriety in the Judiciary
The Supreme Court fined a judge P40,000 for immorality and conduct unbecoming after he facilitated the employment of three minors as guest relations officers.
On Duty or Off Target: Defining Course of Employment in Police Compensation Claims
The Supreme Court clarifies when a police officer's death is compensable under employees' compensation law, applying the 24-hour duty doctrine.
Partnership vs Employment: Sharing Profits in Lending Ventures Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when profit-sharing in a lending business creates a partnership, not an employment relationship, and how profits are computed.
Regular Employment vs Cooperative Membership: Protecting Workers' Rights
Can a cooperative member be a regular employee? The Supreme Court says yes—membership does not erase labor rights or security of tenure.
Fraudulent Promises Establishing Liability for Illegal Recruitment and Estafa
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when false promises of overseas employment constitute both illegal recruitment and estafa.
Certification Election Findings on Employment Not Binding in Dismissal Cases
A Supreme Court ruling explains why a certification election finding on employer-employee relationship cannot bar a later illegal dismissal case.
Project Employee vs Regular Employee: Security of Tenure in Philippine Law
Understand the difference between project and regular employment in the Philippines, and what security of tenure means for workers.
Co-Terminous Employment and Security of Tenure in Government Contractual Positions
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling that co-terminous government employees serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and may be terminated before project completion.
When Arbitration Clauses in Employment Contracts Become Unfair: The Magellan Case
The Supreme Court explains when arbitration clauses in employment contracts are void for giving one side too many arbitrators.
Arbitration Integrity Ensuring Fairness IN Corporate Employment Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies the standards for lawful dismissal of managerial employees, focusing on procedural due process and loss of trust and confidence.
Breach OF Trust IN Employment Upholding Employers Right TO Terminate FOR Misconduct
Illegal Strikes in the Philippines: Return-to-Work Orders and Employment Consequences
Understand when a strike becomes illegal in the Philippines, the binding effect of return-to-work orders, and the employment consequences for defiant strikers.
Project Employment vs Regular Employment: Security of Tenure in Construction Projects
Learn when construction workers are project employees and their rights on termination before project completion, based on a Philippine Supreme Court ruling.
Broken Promises in Overseas Job Scams: Illegal Recruitment and Estafa Under Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling explains how illegal recruitment in large scale and estafa arise from false promises of overseas employment.
Forum Non Conveniens: When Philippine Courts Decline Jurisdiction in Overseas Employment Disputes
The Supreme Court explains when Philippine labor tribunals may decline jurisdiction over overseas employment disputes under the doctrine of forum non conveniens.
Non-Compete Clauses and Preliminary Injunctions: Time Limits and Mootness in Philippine Employment Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how non-compete clauses affect preliminary injunction validity, time limits, and mootness in employment disputes.
Seafarers' Sickness and Disability Benefits: What the Tuazon Case Teaches
The Supreme Court ruled that seafarers can claim sickness and disability benefits even with pre-existing conditions, as long as the illness occurs during the employment contract.
Jurisdictional Boundaries Resolving Employer Employee Damage Claims IN THE Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that labor arbiters, not regular courts, have exclusive jurisdiction over employer damage claims arising from employment.
Regular Employment and the Prolonged Service Doctrine in Philippine Labor Law
Learn how prolonged service of 20 years can establish regular employment under Article 280 of the Labor Code.
Strikes and Dismissal: When Illegal Acts Forfeit Employment Status in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when illegal strikes and violent acts during a strike can lead to valid dismissal or forfeiture of employment.
Project Employees vs Regular Employment: Security of Tenure in Philippine Labor Law
Supreme Court ruling on illegal dismissal of regular employees disguised as retirement, and the rules on appeal bonds in labor cases.
Probationary Employment in the Philippines: Security of Tenure and Illegal Dismissal
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on probationary employees' security of tenure and illegal dismissal, explained in plain language.
Breach of Trust in Employment: When Philippine Companies Can Validly Dismiss Employees
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on loss of trust and confidence as valid ground for dismissing security officers who breach company policy.