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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Perfecting Labor Appeals: The Jurisdictional Requirement of Appeal Bonds in the Philippines
Learn the mandatory appeal bond requirement in Philippine labor cases and why failure to perfect an appeal on time is fatal.
Regular Employment vs Fixed-Term Contracts: Security of Tenure in Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when fixed-term employees become regular workers entitled to security of tenure and full backwages.
Breach of Trust in Employment: Just Cause for Dismissal in the Philippines
When can an employer validly dismiss an employee for breach of trust? Philippine labor law rules explained.
Employer-Employee Relationship and Illegal Dismissal: The Control Test in Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the control test for employer-employee relationship and rules on illegal dismissal due to disease in Sy v. Court of Appeals.
Union Registration Validity and Challenges in Philippine Labor Context
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a registered union's legal personality cannot be collaterally attacked in certification election cases.
Wrongful Dismissal Reinstatement and Backwages for Illegally Terminated Employees
Learn the rules on illegal dismissal, reinstatement, and backwages under Philippine labor law from a Supreme Court case.
When Employment Contracts Expire: Protecting Security of Tenure in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when contract expiration becomes illegal dismissal, and why employees cannot be forced into early retirement before age 65.
Local Union Disaffiliation Rights: Philippine Skylanders vs NLRC Explained
Supreme Court ruling on local unions' right to disaffiliate from mother federations, and when disaffiliation is valid under Philippine labor law.
Upholding Contractual Freedom: The Validity of CBA Suspension Agreements in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court upholds a 10-year CBA suspension between PAL and PALEA, affirming that voluntary agreements to suspend collective bargaining are valid exercises of contractual freedom.
Protecting Overseas Workers: Solidary Liability and Illegal Dismissal in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies the solidary liability of local recruitment agencies and the burden of proof in illegal dismissal cases involving overseas Filipino workers.
Management Prerogative in Reorganization: Upholding Business Needs in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when demotions during corporate reorganization are valid and when they constitute illegal dismissal under Philippine labor law.
Reinstatement or Separation Pay: Employer Obligations After Illegal Dismissal in the Philippines
Philippine labor law on illegal dismissal: when reinstatement is ordered, when separation pay applies, and the employer's obligations.
Forum Non Conveniens: When Philippine Courts Decline Jurisdiction in Overseas Employment Disputes
The Supreme Court explains when Philippine labor tribunals may decline jurisdiction over overseas employment disputes under the doctrine of forum non conveniens.
Employee vs. Independent Contractor: The Four-Fold Test Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court's ruling in Corporal v. NLRC clarifies when workers are true employees, not independent contractors, under Philippine labor law.
Compromise Agreements in Philippine Labor Disputes: Swift and Amicable Settlements
The Supreme Court approves a compromise agreement in a labor case, showing how parties can settle disputes amicably and avoid prolonged litigation.
Breach of Trust Upholding Termination for Managerial Misconduct in Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court affirms dismissal of a manager for loss of confidence based on fraudulent invoicing and refusal to explain.
Demotion vs Illegal Dismissal: Know Your Rights as an Employee in the Philippines
Understand when a demotion is legal, when it becomes constructive dismissal, and how abandonment claims work under Philippine labor law.
Independent Contractor vs Employee: Key Distinctions in Philippine Labor Law
When is a worker an employee, not an independent contractor? The Supreme Court explains the tests in this Philippine labor case.
Wage Differentials and Employee Waivers: Labor Rights in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling on wage differentials, employee waivers, and the strict rules on appeals in Philippine labor cases.
Joint vs Solidary Liability: The Limits of Final Judgments in Philippine Labor Law
A final labor judgment binds parties to its exact terms. Learn why the Supreme Court ruled that joint liability cannot be converted to solidary after finality.
Regular vs Project Employee: Continuous Rehiring and Security of Tenure Under Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when project employees become regular employees through continuous rehiring, securing tenure under Article 280.
Regular Employment and the Prolonged Service Doctrine in Philippine Labor Law
Learn how prolonged service of 20 years can establish regular employment under Article 280 of the Labor Code.
Relocation vs Resignation: Employee Rights When a Business Transfers Under Philippine Law
When a company relocates, employees who refuse to transfer may still be entitled to separation pay under Philippine labor law.
Abandonment in Labor Disputes: Defining Intent and Action
Understanding how Philippine labor law defines abandonment—requiring both intent to sever and unequivocal acts—and why employers must prove it.