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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Due Process in Retrenchment: Balancing Employer Prerogative and Employee Rights
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between just and authorized causes in dismissal, and the penalties for violating notice requirements.
Project Employees vs Regular Employees: Security of Tenure Under the Labor Code
When is a construction worker a project employee rather than a regular one? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on tenure and illegal dismissal.
Employer-Employee Relationship: The Foundation of Illegal Dismissal Liability
Why labor tribunals must establish employer-employee relationship before ruling on illegal dismissal, and the consequences of failing to do so.
Balancing Procedural Rules and Substantial Justice: Rosario Dalton-Reyes v. Court of Appeals
A one-day delay in filing an appeal should not defeat substantial justice, especially when a litigant faces dismissal from service.
Habitual Neglect of Duty as Just Cause for Termination in Philippine Labor Law
Explaining when habitual neglect of duty justifies dismissal under Philippine labor law, citing the Supreme Court's ruling in Chua v. NLRC.
Voluntary Resignation vs Illegal Dismissal: Protecting Seafarer Rights in Philippine Labor Law
When is a seafarer's sign-off voluntary resignation or illegal dismissal? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on termination and due process.
Breach of Trust or Harsh Penalty: Separation Pay for Dismissed Acting Employees
Philippine law allows separation pay even for valid dismissal, except for serious misconduct or moral character issues. Learn the rules.
Separation Pay Despite Valid Dismissal: The Rule on Just Causes in Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Commercial International Bank v. Abad explains when a validly dismissed employee may still receive separation pay under social justice.
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.
Loss of Trust and Confidence: When Temporary Assignment Does Not Justify Dismissal
Acting as a route salesman for three days did not make a driver-helper a trust-and-confidence employee, so dismissal was too harsh.
Breach of Trust as Just Cause for Employee Dismissal in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court explains when loss of trust and confidence justifies employee dismissal under Article 282 of the Labor Code.
Breach of Trust: Dishonesty in Personal Data Sheets Justifies Dismissal of Court Employees
Supreme Court ruling on Biteng v. DILG: false statements in Personal Data Sheets constitute dishonesty warranting dismissal from government service.
Illegal Dismissal: Full Backwages Despite Procedural Lapses
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled that illegally dismissed employees are entitled to full backwages even without perfect procedural compliance.
Loss of Trust and Due Process: Employer Liability for Dismissal Violations in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when loss of trust justifies dismissing a managerial employee and what damages apply when procedural due process is breached.
Due Process in Employee Dismissal: The Two-Notice Rule Under Philippine Labor Law
Philippine law requires employers to follow the two-notice rule before dismissing employees. Learn what this means from a Supreme Court ruling.
Due Process in Administrative Cases: Suspension, Not Dismissal, for First-Time Inefficiency
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that first-time inefficiency in public service warrants suspension, not dismissal, under Civil Service rules.
Breach of Trust Dismissal for Theft Within the Supreme Court: Etcuban v. Sulpicio Lines
When can an employer dismiss a fiduciary employee for loss of trust and confidence? The Supreme Court explains in Etcuban v. Sulpicio Lines.
Forum Shopping Dismissal: Redundant Suits to Prevent Conflicting Judgments
The Supreme Court explains when filing two derivative suits for the same underlying dispute constitutes forbidden forum shopping, leading to dismissal.
Extortion in the Judiciary: Dismissal for Grave Misconduct and Betrayal of Public Trust
Court personnel who collect money from litigants face dismissal for grave misconduct, even if they claim it was for safekeeping.
Voluntary Resignation vs Illegal Dismissal: When a Resignation Letter Holds Up in Court
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a resignation is truly voluntary and not illegal dismissal, protecting employers who accept resignations in good faith.
Sheriff's Dishonesty in Executing Judgment Warrants Dismissal
Supreme Court dismisses sheriff for dishonesty after he withdrew P75,000 more than the judgment amount and falsified his return of service.
When Sheriffs Overstep: The Duty to Execute Judgments Strictly As Written
A sheriff's dismissal for dishonesty underscores the rule that execution must follow the judgment exactly—no more, no less.
Upholding Ethical Conduct: Dismissal for Absences and Discourtesy in Public Service
Court employees must uphold public trust. Learn how habitual absences and gross discourtesy led to penalties in this administrative case.
Implied Admission: The Decisive Impact of Uncontested Requests in Philippine Courts
How a sheriff's failure to file a comment led to a finding of dishonesty and dismissal from service.