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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Contractor or Employer: Distinguishing Legitimate Contracting From Illegal Labor Practices
A look at Gallego v. Bayer Philippines and how Philippine law separates legitimate job contracting from labor-only contracting.
Independent Contractor vs Employee: Control Test in Consultancy Agreements
The Supreme Court clarifies when a consultant is an independent contractor, not an employee, using the four-fold test and control test.
Breach of Contract and Delay Damages in Construction Projects: Uy v. Public Estates Authority
A Supreme Court ruling on contractor claims for delay damages, standby equipment costs, and the strict written-change-order rule under Article 1724.
When Courts Can Take Judicial Notice of Industry Practice in Labor Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies judicial notice limits, independent contractor tests, and abandonment rules in South Davao Development Co. v. Gamo.
Independent Contractor vs Employee: Employer Obligations for Medical Staff
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when nurses are independent contractors versus employees under Article 157 of the Labor Code.
Contract Assignments, Prior Rights vs. Garnishments in Construction Disputes
When a contractor assigns its receivables, who gets paid first—the assignee or a garnishing creditor? The Supreme Court clarifies jurisdiction and priority rules.
Solidary Liability in Labor Standards: Protecting Workers Beyond Direct Employment
Learn how Philippine courts hold employers and contractors jointly liable for labor standard violations, protecting workers beyond direct employment relationships.
Defining the Employer: Coca-Cola's Control Over Contracted Salesmen
When is a contractor a labor-only contractor? The Supreme Court clarifies employer liability and control over contracted salesmen.
COA Overpayment Recovery Upheld: Quantum Meruit in Government Construction Contracts
Supreme Court affirms COA's recovery of overpayment from a government contractor, clarifying quantum meruit limits, due process, and procedural deadlines.
Excavation Liability: When a Landowner Can Shift Blame to the Contractor
The Supreme Court clarifies when a landowner can escape liability for excavation damage to a neighbor's building, and when the contractor alone must pay.
Independent Contractors vs Regular Employees: Defining the Boundaries of Employer Liability
The Supreme Court clarifies when a principal is not the employer of a contractor's workers, and why the regular employment test does not apply in trilateral arrangements.
Independent Contractor or Employee: The Four-Fold Test in Philippine Labor Law
When is an insurance agent an employee, not an independent contractor? The Supreme Court explains the four-fold test and the crucial "control test" in Tongko v. Manulife.
Labor-Only Contracting and Illegal Dismissal: When a Principal Becomes the Employer
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a company becomes the true employer of workers supplied by a contractor, and the consequences of illegal dismissal.
When Is a Newspaper Columnist an Employee? The Orozco Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies when a newspaper columnist is an independent contractor, not an employee, under the control test.
Freelance or Employee? The Test for Newspaper Columnists in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when a newspaper columnist is an independent contractor, not an employee, under the control test.
Independent Contractor vs Employee: The Four-Fold Test in Philippine Labor Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the four-fold test distinguishing independent contractors from employers in labor disputes involving job contracting arrangements.
Breach of Contract: When Incomplete Construction Doesn't Warrant Full Payment
Philippine Supreme Court rules on when a contractor's incomplete work bars recovery of the full contract price in construction disputes.
Arrastre Contractor Liability: When the P3,500-Per-Package Limit Does Not Apply
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when arrastre contractors cannot invoke the P3,500 per-package liability limit under PPA Administrative Order No. 10-81.
Substantial Completion vs Unjustified Delay: Contractor Entitlements in Construction Disputes
When is a contractor in delay? The Supreme Court clarifies how substantial completion and change orders affect liquidated damages.
Solidary Liability in Labor Disputes: When Principals and Contractors Share Responsibility
The Supreme Court clarifies when a principal is solidarily liable with an independent contractor for labor claims, and when it is not.
Quantum Meruit and COA Disallowances: What Contractors Must Know
The Supreme Court affirms COA's power to determine overpayments to government contractors under quantum meruit, and explains when belated jurisdictional challenges are barred.
Solidary Liability in Labor-Only Contracting: Catholic Vicariate v. Sto. Tomas
Explains when a principal is solidarily liable with contractors for unpaid wages, even without an employer-employee relationship.
Labor-Only Contracting: When a Principal Becomes the True Employer
Explaining labor-only contracting under Philippine law, and when a principal employer is liable as the true employer of contractor-supplied workers.
Regular Employee vs Independent Contractor: Security Guard Rights Under Labor Law
Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a security guard is a regular employee, not an independent contractor, and the rights that follow.