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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Finality of Judgments: Understanding Immutability and Exceptions in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies the doctrine of finality of judgments and its exceptions in a labor case involving illegal dismissal and retirement.
Corporate Officers vs Employees: Who Hears Dismissal Cases in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when a corporate officer's removal is an intra-corporate dispute, not an illegal dismissal case for labor tribunals.
Bona Fide Business Closure vs. Illegal Dismissal: Protecting Workers' Rights in Company Transfers
When is a business closure a valid reason for termination? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on bona fide closure versus illegal dismissal.
Corporate Officers and Labor Jurisdiction: Lessons from Locsin v. Nissan Lease
The Supreme Court clarifies that corporate officers cannot claim illegal dismissal before labor tribunals; their removal is an intra-corporate dispute.
When a Single Act of Negligence Is Not Enough: Illegal Dismissal and Separation Pay
A Supreme Court ruling explains why one isolated act of negligence may not justify dismissal, and when separation pay is due.
Balancing Technical Rules and Substantial Justice in Illegal Dismissal Cases
The Supreme Court rules on when procedural lapses in appeals may be relaxed, and what due process truly requires in employee dismissal.
Bona Fide Business Closure VS Illegal Dismissal Protecting Workers Rights IN Company Transfers
Corporate Officer vs Employee: Who Hears Illegal Dismissal Cases?
When a dismissed executive is a corporate officer, the RTC hears the case; if a regular employee, the Labor Arbiter. This ruling explains the test.
Corporate Officer vs Employee: Who Hears Illegal Dismissal Cases?
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when an illegal dismissal case belongs to the Labor Arbiter versus the Regional Trial Court.
Compromise Agreements in Labor Cases: Upholding Freedom to Contract and Settling Disputes
The Supreme Court affirms a compromise agreement ending a long-running illegal dismissal case, underscoring the validity of amicable settlements in labor disputes.
Retrenchment vs Illegal Dismissal: When Business Downturns Justify Employee Separation
Learn when retrenchment is valid under Philippine labor law and how procedural lapses affect separation pay and employee rights.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Are Corporate Officers Personally Liable for Labor Claims?
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when corporate officers may be held personally liable for illegal dismissal awards, requiring clear proof of bad faith.
When Does the 10-Day Appeal Period Start in Illegal Dismissal Cases?
Learn when the 10-day appeal period starts in labor cases and why a security guard's receipt of a decision may not bind the employer.
Upholding Workers Rights Timely Appeals AND Constructive Dismissal IN Labor Disputes
Understand the Supreme Court's ruling on prescriptive periods for illegal dismissal and money claims in PLDT v. Pingol.
Project Employees vs Regular Employees: The Burden of Proof in Illegal Dismissal Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when construction workers become regular employees and the employer's burden in proving project employment status.
Illegal Dismissal VS Abandonment Protecting Employee Rights IN Termination Disputes
Corporate Rehabilitation vs Labor Rights: Balancing Competing Interests in Dismissal Cases
How the Supreme Court balanced a company's rehabilitation stay order against an employee's final judgment for illegal dismissal.
Burden of Proof in Illegal Dismissal Cases: Documentary Evidence vs Simple Denial
In illegal dismissal cases, the employer bears the burden of proving valid termination with substantial evidence—not the employee.
Anib v. Coca-Cola: Technical Rules Yield to Substantial Justice in Labor Cases
Supreme Court reminds courts that procedural technicalities should not bar review of labor cases, remanding an illegal dismissal dispute for hearing on the merits.
Security of Tenure in Government Service: When Reorganization Is a Ruse for Illegal Dismissal
The Supreme Court affirms that sham reorganizations violate security of tenure and that mayors acting in bad faith face personal liability for damages.
Procedural Due Process in Termination: When Post-Complaint Actions Uphold Dismissal Legality
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that notices sent after an illegal dismissal complaint may still satisfy procedural due process if not a mere afterthought.
Illegal Dismissal, Retrenchment, and Redundancy: Key Rules from Lambert Pawnbrokers v. Binamira
Supreme Court clarifies the rules on retrenchment, redundancy, and corporate liability in illegal dismissal cases, and when damages apply.
Illegal Dismissal: Employer's Burden to Prove Valid Termination and Due Process
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies employer's burden in illegal dismissal cases: valid cause and due process are both required for lawful termination.
Illegal Dismissal and Optional Retirement: When a Demotion Does Not End Employment
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling on constructive dismissal, optional retirement age, and the rights of managerial employees in the Philippines.