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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Disallowed Government Benefits and Good Faith Refund Rules: Zamboanga City Water District v. COA
When do government employees and officers have to refund disallowed benefits? The Supreme Court clarifies the good faith rule in this case.
PNRC Sui Generis Status and CSC Jurisdiction: Balancing Autonomy and Public Accountability
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling that the CSC has appellate jurisdiction over PNRC employees despite the Red Cross's sui generis status.
Illegal Dismissal Claims: When Voluntary Resignation and Quitclaims Prevail
Supreme Court ruling on when a resignation and quitclaim are voluntary, and what evidence employees must present to prove illegal dismissal.
Regular vs Seasonal Employment: Security of Tenure in the Plywood Industry
Supreme Court clarifies when workers, claiming they were hired only when there was high demand for plywood or when regular employees were absent.
Illegal Dismissal: Computing Separation Pay and Backwages Using Gross Monthly Pay
The Supreme Court clarifies how to compute separation pay and backwages for illegally dismissed employees, using gross monthly pay, inclusive of allowances and benefits.
Mandatory Appeal Bond in Labor Disputes: What It Means for Employees and Employers
Understanding the mandatory appeal bond in labor disputes, its purpose, and why compliance is crucial for employers seeking to appeal labor rulings.
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.
Malicious Prosecution: When Filing a Criminal Complaint Backfires
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on malicious prosecution, damages, and employer liability for unfounded criminal charges against employees.
Retirement Fund Obligations: When a Company Is Liable for Employee Separation Pay
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a principal company becomes liable for separation pay of a contractor's employees, explained in plain language.
Project vs Regular Employment: Security of Tenure in Construction
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when construction workers are project employees and how employers prove project employment.
Loyalty Awards Reconciling Reorganization AND Employee Rights IN THE Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies how corporate reorganizations affect regular employees' security of tenure, retirement rights, and CBA benefits.
Regular Employment vs Talent Contract: Defining Employer-Employee Relationships in Media
How the Supreme Court distinguished regular employees from talents in ABS-CBN's TV Patrol Bicol case, applying the control test.
Upholding Employers Right TO Discipline Dishonesty AS Just Cause FOR Termination
Supreme Court rules that a nurse’s theft of hospital supplies is just cause for dismissal, reaffirming management prerogative to discipline dishonest employees.
Habitual Absenteeism in the Judiciary: When Repeated Unauthorized Absences Lead to Dismissal
Court employees must devote full time to public service. Habitual absenteeism is a grave offense that can result in dismissal, even for first-time offenders.
Healthcare Allowances for Government Employees: Defining a Health Program Under the Law
The Supreme Court disallowed TESDA's P5,000 healthcare allowance, ruling that a health program under CSC rules cannot be converted into cash without presidential approval.
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.
Breach of Trust When Court Employees Fail to Safeguard Public Funds
Court personnel who mishandle public funds face administrative liability, including dismissal, for breach of trust and conduct prejudicial to service.
Unconscionable Compromises Protecting Employees From Unfair Labor Settlements
Learn how Philippine courts protect employees from unfair labor settlements, illegal strike dismissals, and double compensation risks in this ruling.
Standardized Salaries vs Additional Compensation: Navigating Government Employee Benefits
The Supreme Court clarifies when government employees may receive allowances beyond standardized salaries under RA 6758, the Salary Standardization Law.
Hypertension and Glaucoma: Protecting Employees' Rights to Compensation
When can hypertension and glaucoma be compensable? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on employees' compensation claims.
Retaliatory Dismissal: Protecting Employees Who Assert Their Rights
The Supreme Court affirms that firing workers for filing labor complaints violates security of tenure and constitutes illegal dismissal.
Recomputing Monetary Awards in Illegal Dismissal Cases: Full Compensation Amidst Legal Recourse
Learn how the Supreme Court handles monetary awards in illegal dismissal cases, ensuring full compensation for employees while respecting legal remedies.
Workplace Conduct and Morality: Defining Boundaries for Public Servants
Court employees held liable for misconduct, immorality, and habitual absenteeism in a consolidated administrative case.
Moonlighting Misconduct Supreme Court Upholds Ethical Standards FOR Judiciary Employees
The Supreme Court affirms strict ethical standards for judiciary employees, ruling on theft, dishonesty, and gross neglect of duty.