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: Defining Qualified Theft in Philippine Employment Relationships
The Supreme Court clarifies when an employee's misappropriation is qualified theft, not estafa, and explains the penalty rules.
Beyond the Contract: Can Seafarers Claim Disability Benefits After Employment Ends?
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies why death and disability benefits under the POEA contract must be claimed correctly and within the proper proceedings.
Civil Service Exam Fraud: Forged Signatures and Dishonesty in Public Service
Supreme Court ruling on Civil Service exam fraud, forged signatures, and the consequences of dishonesty in public service employment.
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.
Finality of Settlements: How Quitclaims Impact Employment Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when quitclaims are valid and binding in labor disputes, protecting employees from waivers made under duress.
Seafarer Death Benefits After Contract Termination: What Employers Must Know
Supreme Court clarifies when death benefits apply under POEA contract—death must occur during employment term, not after pre-termination.
Pregnancy and Employment: Protecting Women's Rights in the Philippine Workplace
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling on Saudia's pregnancy termination policy affirms that women cannot be dismissed for becoming pregnant.
Security of Tenure: Regular Employment and Illegal Dismissal in Fixed-Term Contracts
When does a fixed-term employee become regular? The Supreme Court clarifies security of tenure, illegal dismissal, and employer burden of proof.
Breach of Trust in Employment: When Misconduct Justifies Termination
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a cashier's mishandling of funds amounts to breach of trust justifying dismissal from employment.
Workplace Conduct Defining Serious Misconduct IN Employment Dismissal Cases
Honesty in Public Service: Falsifying Employment Records Leads to Dismissal
The Supreme Court rules that concealing past administrative offenses in a Personal Data Sheet is gross dishonesty warranting dismissal from the Judiciary.
Theft and Dishonesty in Public Service: Consequences for Retirement Benefits and Re-Employment
Supreme Court rules on theft, dishonesty in public service, and how retirement does not erase administrative liability or preserve benefits.
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.
Seafarers Disability Claim Strict Compliance With Post Employment Medical Examination Rule
Regular vs Project Employment: Security of Tenure in Service Contracts
When does a worker become regular despite project-based contracts? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on security of tenure.
The Duty of Disclosure: Honesty in Seafarer Employment Contracts
A Supreme Court ruling on how concealing a pre-existing illness in a seafarer's PEME can bar disability claims, even when the 3-day reporting rule is excused.
Task Basis vs Regular Employment: Clarifying Holiday, SIL, and 13th Month Pay Rights
Supreme Court clarifies that task-basis workers are not automatically barred from holiday, SIL, and 13th month pay.
Grave Misconduct and Public Service: Upholding Integrity in Government Employment
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on grave misconduct in government service, explaining its definition, penalties, and the high standard of integrity required of public officials and employees.
Reinstatement vs Return to Work: Clarifying Employment Rights After a Transfer
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that reinstatement only applies to illegal dismissal, while a valid transfer requires a return to work order.
Deceptive Recruitment Estafa AND THE Promise OF Overseas Employment
When a fake recruiter promises overseas jobs, both illegal recruitment and estafa can apply. The Supreme Court explains the rules.
Probationary Employment: When a Job Description Can Define Clear Regularization Standards
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a job description and duties suffice as reasonable standards for probationary employee regularization and dismissal.
Probationary Employment in Philippine Private Schools: Teacher Rights and Tenure
A Supreme Court ruling explains how probationary periods work for private school teachers, when tenure is acquired, and what schools must prove to validly terminate.
Franchise or Employment: Distinguishing Independent Business From Subterfuge in Labor Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies when a service franchise creates an independent business, not an employer-employee relationship, in Bandag retreading case.