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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Illegal Slowdowns and Union Officer Dismissal: The Polyson Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when a work slowdown becomes an illegal strike and justifies dismissal of union officers under Philippine labor law.
Project vs Regular Employment: Understanding Security of Tenure in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when project employees become regular workers and how security of tenure applies in Philippine construction labor law.
Breach of Trust and Termination: When Is Dismissal Too Harsh in Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when dismissal for breach of trust is too harsh, and when separation pay may still be awarded.
Independent Contractor vs Employee: The Right of Control Test in Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the right of control test distinguishing independent contractors from employees in Valeroso v. Skycable.
Notice Requirement in Business Closure: Protecting Employee Rights
Learn the 30-day notice rule for business closure under Philippine labor law, and what counts as compliance.
Willful Disobedience: When a Cooperative Employee Defies Direct Orders
Explore when an employee's defiance of a board's lawful orders constitutes willful disobedience justifying dismissal under Philippine labor law.
Willful Disobedience in the Workplace: When Can an Employee Be Dismissed
Learn when willful disobedience justifies dismissal under Philippine labor law, based on a Supreme Court ruling on a cooperative cashier.
Breach of Trust in Employment: Requisites for Valid Dismissal in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when breach of trust justifies dismissal and what due process requires in Philippine labor law.
Constructive Dismissal vs Abandonment: Security of Tenure in Philippine Labor Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies the line between constructive dismissal and abandonment, protecting security of tenure for security guards in the Philippines.
Preventive Suspension Limits and Employer Rights in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when employers may impose successive preventive suspensions and the rules on appeal bonds in labor cases.
No Illegal Dismissal, No Separation Pay: Reassessing Employee Entitlements in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when a security guard's floating status becomes constructive dismissal and how quitclaims affect employee claims.
Breach of Trust When Employee Disloyalty Justifies Termination in the Philippines
When does employee disloyalty justify termination? The Supreme Court explains breach of trust doctrine in Philippine labor law.
Proving Illegal Dismissal: The Employee's Burden of Proof in Philippine Labor Law
In illegal dismissal cases, employees must first prove they were dismissed. The Supreme Court clarifies this burden in Tri-C General Services v. Matuto.
Upholding Workers Rights Resolving Labor Disputes Despite Prior Agreements
Supreme Court clarifies when unauthorized use of company property justifies dismissal under Philippine labor law.
Satisfaction of Judgment and the Right to Appeal: Navigating Mootness in Philippine Labor Law
When paying a labor award does not end the case: the Supreme Court clarifies the mootness doctrine in seafarer disability disputes.
Regular vs. Fixed-Term Employment: Security of Tenure Under Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when fixed-term employment is valid and when it violates a worker's security of tenure under Philippine labor law.
Project-Based Employment: Defining Scope and Duration in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when project-based employment is valid, focusing on the determinable duration and scope of the project.
Breach of Trust and Employee Dismissal: Employer's Burden of Proof in Philippine Labor Law
Explore the Supreme Court's ruling in Temic Automotive v. Cantos on breach of trust dismissals, emphasizing the employer's burden of proof.
Regular Employment Defined: Security of Tenure and Length of Service in Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies regular employment, security of tenure, and length of service in illegal dismissal cases.
When a Heated Argument Is Not "Fighting": A Philippine Labor Law Lesson on Just Cause Dismissal
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that "fighting" as a just cause for dismissal requires physical combat, not mere verbal altercations.
Moral Damages for Illegal Suspension: Bad Faith and Due Process in Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Airlines v. Montinola: illegally suspended employees can recover moral and exemplary damages when the employer acts in bad faith or denies due process.
Serious Misconduct in Philippine Labor Law: Balancing Discipline and Employee Rights
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies what constitutes serious misconduct justifying employee discipline, requiring substantial evidence and due process.
Termination Due to Illness in the Philippines: Balancing Employer Rights and Employee Protection
The Supreme Court clarifies when employers may validly terminate employees due to disease, and the procedural due process required under Philippine labor law.
When Illegal Strike Actions Override Reinstatement Orders: Supervening Events in Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when a final reinstatement order may yield to supervening events, including findings of illegal strike acts.