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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Employer's Duty to Recall Employees After Six-Month Suspension of Operations
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a bona fide suspension of business operations beyond six months makes employee termination illegal unless workers are recalled.
Voluntary Resignation vs Constructive Dismissal: What Employees Must Prove
The Supreme Court clarifies when a resignation is voluntary and not constructive dismissal, and what evidence employees must present.
Judicial Independence: No CSC Clearance Required for Retiring Judiciary Employees
The Supreme Court rules that retiring judiciary employees need not secure CSC clearance for administrative cases, upholding judicial independence.
Project Employees and Voluntary Resignation: Lessons from D.M. Consunji v. Bello
When does a project employee become regular, and what proves voluntary resignation? The Supreme Court clarifies in D.M. Consunji v. Bello.
Outsourcing and Union Rights: Balancing Business Prerogative with Collective Bargaining Agreements
The Supreme Court clarifies when banks may outsource functions without violating union rights or the CBA in BPI Employees Union v. BPI.
Corporate Reorganization VS Illegal Dismissal Protecting Employee Rights During Corporate Restructuring
When a company merely changes its name or restructures, it cannot use that as a pretext to terminate employees without valid cause.
Breach of Trust vs Due Process: When Dismissed Employees Get Separation Pay in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when validly dismissed employees may receive separation pay, distinguishing just causes under Article 282 of the Labor Code.
No Separation Pay for Employees Dismissed for Cause: Key Labor Ruling
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that employees validly dismissed for just causes like breach of trust are not entitled to separation pay.
Judicial Ethics: Court Employee Cannot Buy Litigated Property
Court employees must avoid acquiring property in litigation, even outside their court's jurisdiction, to uphold judicial integrity.
Probationary Employment: Employers Must Disclose Regularization Standards
Employers must inform probationary employees of regularization standards at engagement or risk them being deemed regular employees from day one.
Upholding Dismissal for Dishonesty When Casino Employees Betray Public Trust
Supreme Court reinstates dismissal of PAGCOR dealers who declared void craps throws as good dice, defrauding the house.
Defining Regular Employment Security Benefits FOR Seasonal Farm Workers IN THE Philippines
Supreme Court clarifies when seasonal farm workers are regular employees entitled to SSS coverage and benefits under Philippine law.
Separation Pay and Due Process in Valid Dismissals: Lessons from Unilever v. Rivera
The Supreme Court clarifies when separation pay is due to validly dismissed employees and the procedural due process required in termination cases.
Upholding Decorum: Judicial Employees Reprimanded for Discourteous Conduct
Explore the Supreme Court ruling on administrative liability for discourteous conduct by judicial employees and its implications.
Security of Tenure vs AWOL: Protecting Employee Rights in Contested Elections
Supreme Court ruling on dropping employees from rolls for AWOL during contested mayoralty elections, upholding security of tenure.
Corporate Reorganization, Presidential Alter Ego Doctrine, and Security of Tenure Limits
Supreme Court clarifies when government corporate boards may reorganize, reassign officers, and drop employees for poor performance without violating tenure.
Breach OF Trust AN Employees Dismissal FOR Dishonesty AND THE Limits OF Employer Discretion
Supervisory Status and Union Formation: Defining the Rights of Capatazes in Labor Law
The Supreme Court rules capatazes are supervisory employees who may form their own union separate from rank-and-file workers.
Retirement Benefits: Reconciling Prior Obligations With Employee Entitlements
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how retirement pay is computed when employees were retrenched, rehired, and had prior debts to the employer.
Reinstatement With Backwages for Employees Excluded From Illegal Strike Charges
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that workers not charged with illegal strike cannot be treated as in pari delicto and must get backwages.
Prolonged Layoff Equals Constructive Dismissal Employer Liability FOR Separation PAY
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when prolonged layoff becomes constructive dismissal, entitling employees to separation pay and backwages.
Court Employees Must Remit Judiciary Funds on Time: Full Restitution Does Not Erase Liability
Learn why a court employee who fully repaid missing funds still faced a P10,000 fine for delayed remittance of judiciary collections.
Bank Liability for Altered Checks and Employee Misconduct: Lessons from Westmont Bank v. Dela Rosa-Ramos
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when banks are liable for altered checks and negligent employees, and how depositor contributory negligence affects damages.
Finality vs Justice: Reconciling Immutability of Judgments With Equitable Labor Standards
The Supreme Court clarifies when a final judgment can be reconsidered, balancing the doctrine of immutability with the rights of illegally dismissed employees.