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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Seafarers Disability: Proving Work-Related Illness Under the POEA Contract
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on a seafarer's disability claim for heart disease under the POEA Standard Employment Contract.
Probationary Employment: Employers Must Inform Workers of Regularization Standards
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on probationary employment: employers must inform workers of regularization standards at the start of engagement.
Probationary Employment Security of Tenure and Due Process Rights in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies that probationary employees in the civil service enjoy security of tenure and due process rights, and cannot be dismissed at will.
Overseas Dreams vs Deceptive Schemes: Illegal Recruitment and Estafa Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms convictions for illegal recruitment and estafa against a fake recruiter who promised overseas employment in Australia.
Accountability for False Promises: Illegal Recruitment and Estafa in Philippine Law
Explaining when false promises of overseas employment lead to both illegal recruitment and estafa, and how Philippine courts penalize each offense.
Breach OF Trust IN Employment When Does A Mistake Justify Dismissal
Truthfulness in Personal Data Sheets: Consequences of Dishonesty in Government Employment
A Supreme Court ruling on a court employee's dishonest PDS shows how concealment of past administrative offenses can end a government career.
Bonus Entitlement Discretion VS Contractual Right IN Employment Compensation
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when bonuses are discretionary and when they become contractual obligations of employers.
Illegal Dismissal and Employee Misconduct: Balancing Rights and Responsibilities in Employment Law
Learn how the Supreme Court balanced illegal dismissal claims against employee misconduct in Palteng v. United Coconut Planters Bank.
Solidary Liability in Labor Standards: Protecting Workers Beyond Direct Employment
Learn how Philippine courts hold employers and contractors jointly liable for labor standard violations, protecting workers beyond direct employment relationships.
Probationary Employment for Teachers: Rights, Limits, and the Manalo Ruling
Learn the rules on probationary employment for private school teachers, including tenure rights, dismissal standards, and the landmark Manalo case.
Defining Regular Employment: The Case of Dealco Farms and the Comboys
The Supreme Court clarifies the test for regular employment under Philippine labor law, emphasizing the employer's business nature and the employee's role.
Redundancy in Labor Law Justifying Employee Termination During Business Restructuring
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when business restructuring justifies termination and how regular employment status is determined under the four-fold test.
Regular Employment and Security of Tenure: When Suspension and Reinstatement Bar Later Dismissal
The Supreme Court affirms that condonation of infractions and return to work protect an employee's security of tenure against dismissal.
Regular Employee Status, Security of Tenure, and Retirement Rights Under Philippine Labor Law
SC ruling on regular employment, illegal dismissal, and retirement rights under Article 302 of the Labor Code.
Reinstatement vs Retirement: Resolving Conflicting Employment Rights After Illegal Dismissal
When an illegally dismissed employee reaches retirement age, the right to reinstatement yields to the employer's valid retirement plan, the Supreme Court rules.
Independent Contractors vs Regular Employees: Defining the Boundaries of Employer Liability
The Supreme Court clarifies when a principal is not the employer of a contractor's workers, and why the regular employment test does not apply in trilateral arrangements.
Seafarer Misconduct and Due Process: Balancing Just Cause With Procedural Rights in Maritime Employment
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that seafarers dismissed for just cause without procedural due process get nominal damages, not reinstatement.
Regular Employment vs Fixed-Term Contracts: Security of Tenure for Electric Cooperative Linemen
When do fixed-term contracts mask regular employment? The Supreme Court clarifies security of tenure rules for linemen in Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative v. Cagampang.
Upholding Trust AND Confidence IN Employment When Employee Actions Justify Dismissal
Breach of Trust and Due Process in Employment Termination: Striking a Balance
The Supreme Court clarifies when breach of trust justifies dismissal and when employers still owe procedural due process.
Seafarers Disability Incorrectly Filed Appeal Doesnt Forfeit Benefits DUE TO Illness Contracted During Employment
Project Employee Status Requires Clear Notice: Hanjin Heavy Industries v. Ibañez
When does a construction worker become a regular employee? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on project employment and termination.
Seafarer Death Benefits: The Primacy of the Employment Contract's Term
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a seafarer's death during the contract term entitles heirs to death benefits under the POEA Standard Employment Contract.