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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Illegal Dismissal in the Philippines: Understanding Your Right to Back Wages
The Supreme Court clarifies when private school teachers gain permanent status, what constitutes illegal dismissal, and how back wages are computed.
Client Liability Clarified: Solidary Responsibility for Agency Workers
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a client-employer is solidarily liable for agency workers' claims, distinguishing back wages from service incentive leave pay.
Grave Abuse of Discretion in Philippine Courts: When Certiorari Overcomes Lapsed Appeals
Explaining Bachrach v. Court of Appeals: when res judicata does not bar a separate action, and when certiorari may proceed despite a lapsed appeal.
Buyer’s Right to Specific Performance When a Seller Backs Out of a Contract to Sell
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies that sellers cannot unilaterally rescind a Contract to Sell, and buyers may sue for specific performance.
Illegal Dismissal in the Philippines: Understanding Your Rights to Back Wages and Reinstatement
Learn how Philippine law protects workers from illegal dismissal, including rights to back wages, reinstatement, and separation pay.
Solidary Liability for Security Guard Wages: Employer Obligations in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when companies are solidarily liable for security agency employees' wages, back pay, and separation pay.
Illegal Dismissal in the Philippines: Employee Rights and Employer Obligations
Learn how Philippine law defines illegal dismissal, abandonment, and the rights of piece-rate workers to security of tenure and back wages.
When A Back Attack Isnt Always Murder Examining Treachery IN Philippine Criminal LAW
The Supreme Court clarifies that a shot to the back does not automatically mean treachery, explaining when killing is homicide instead of murder.
When Self-Defense Fails: Understanding Homicide vs. Murder in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains when a killing becomes homicide, not murder, and why a weak self-defense claim can backfire.
Backwages FOR Illegally Dismissed Employees Determining THE Correct Salary Rate
Reinstatement Pending Appeal: When Employers Must Pay Back Wages
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when employers must pay back wages during appeal—only if the labor arbiter ordered reinstatement.
Constructive Dismissal: When Floating Status Becomes Illegal Termination
Learn when an employee's floating status beyond six months becomes constructive dismissal, entitling them to back wages and separation pay.
When a Successor Company Inherits Illegal Dismissal Liability: The Alfante Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when a successor corporation can be held liable for the illegal dismissal acts of its predecessor, and how backwages are computed.
Security of Tenure vs Presidential Prerogative Reinstatement After Acquittal
Explore the Supreme Court ruling on project employee security of tenure, illegal dismissal, and back wages in SODECO v. NLRC.
Graft and Corruption: Understanding Undue Injury Under Philippine Law
Explaining undue injury in Anti-Graft law through Amper v. Sandiganbayan, where a city engineer used a government backhoe for treasure hunting.
Right to Backwages When an Illegally Dismissed Employee Is Entitled
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when an illegally dismissed government employee is entitled to backwages and other benefits.
Back Taxes on Undeclared Improvements: What "Declared for the First Time" Means
The Supreme Court explains when local assessors may impose back taxes on previously undeclared building improvements under PD 464.
Illegal Dismissal: Employee Rights and Employer Obligations in the Philippines
Learn the rules on illegal dismissal in the Philippines: when termination is valid, the need for due process, and the employee's right to reinstatement and backwages.
Regular vs Probationary Employment: What the Supreme Court Says About Employee Rights in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when probationary employees become regular employees and their right to backwages in illegal dismissal cases.
Illegal Dismissal: Understanding Backwages and Separation Pay in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine law computes backwages and separation pay for illegally dismissed employees, based on a landmark Supreme Court ruling.
Back Wages vs. Separation Pay: Employee Rights When a Business Closes in the Philippines
Learn when Philippine employees get separation pay but not back wages after business closure, based on a Supreme Court ruling.
Retrenchment in Bad Faith: Limits on Employer Discretion and Employee Rights to Backwages
When is retrenchment illegal? The Supreme Court explains bad faith, backwages, and separation pay for dismissed employees.