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.
MSF Tire v. CA: When a Company Cannot Claim "Innocent Bystander" Status in Labor Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when a company with ties to a business in a labor dispute cannot claim "innocent bystander" status to obtain an injunction against picketing.
Individual Proof IS KEY IN Illegal Dismissal Cases Understanding Employee Status IN Philippine Labor LAW
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on regular vs. seasonal employment and why individual proof is required in illegal dismissal claims.
Managerial vs. Supervisory Employees: Unionization Rights Under Philippine Labor Law
Learn how Philippine law distinguishes managerial from supervisory employees and why misclassification can block unionization rights.
Missed Deadlines Dismissed Justice Understanding Motions FOR Reconsideration IN Philippine Labor Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on NLRC rules: supplemental motions for reconsideration filed beyond 10 days are barred.
Redundancy vs Retrenchment: Understanding Employee Rights in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies the difference between redundancy and retrenchment, and what employers must prove to validly terminate employees for economic reasons.
When Can Your Boss Transfer You? Understanding Lawful Orders and Insubordination in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court explains when a transfer is a valid management prerogative and when refusing it becomes insubordination.
Retroactive Registration: How Late Filings Can Validate Labor Union Petitions in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court explains when late union registration can retroactively validate a certification election petition under labor law.
When Allowances Count as Wages: Separation Pay Computation Clarified
Supreme Court clarifies when allowances form part of wages for separation pay computation under Article 283 of the Labor Code.
Philippine Security of Tenure: Why Fixed-Term Employment Can't Sidestep Regularization
The Supreme Court strikes down a fixed-term contract scheme that blocked an employee's regularization, reaffirming constitutional security of tenure for Philippine workers.
Union Dues and Employee Rights: Ensuring Legal Check-Offs in the Philippines
Philippine law on union dues check-off explained: what employees must know about authorized deductions, consent, and their rights under labor rules.
Unfounded Misconduct Claims: Protecting Public Servants From False Accusations
Learn how Philippine jurisprudence protects employees from baseless misconduct allegations and requires employers to prove just cause for dismissal.
Full Backwages for Illegally Dismissed Employees: Understanding Philippine Labor Law
Philippine law awards full backwages to illegally dismissed employees without deducting earnings from other jobs. Learn the rule from Times Transit case.
Due Process in Employee Dismissal: Understanding Illegal Termination Under Philippine Labor Law
Learn the two-notice rule and just causes for valid dismissal in the Philippines from the Gothong Lines case on illegal termination.
Proportionality in Employee Discipline: When Dismissal Is Too Harsh in the Philippines
Philippine labor law requires penalties to fit the offense. Learn when dismissal is disproportionate and how the Supreme Court applies this rule.
When Managerial Discretion Becomes Defiance: Willful Disobedience in Philippine Labor Law
Explore when a manager's independent judgment crosses the line into willful disobedience, a valid ground for dismissal under Philippine labor law.
Payroll Evidence in Philippine Labor Disputes: Ensuring Fair Hearings for Employers
A Supreme Court ruling on payroll evidence in labor disputes, protecting employers' right to present original documents for fair hearings.
Successor Liability in Philippine Labor Law: Enforcing Judgments Against Transferee Companies
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on enforcing labor judgments against successor companies that assume liabilities of the original employer.
Reinstatement or Separation Pay: Understanding Illegal Dismissal Remedies in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts decide between reinstatement and separation pay in illegal dismissal cases, using a 1998 Supreme Court ruling.
Reinstatement vs. Separation Pay: Proportionality in Philippine Labor Law
PAL v. NLRC clarifies when redundancy justifies dismissal and why separation pay, not reinstatement, is the proper remedy.
Who Bears the Burden of Proof in Philippine Labor Disputes Over Unpaid Wages
A look at Ropali Trading v. NLRC, where the Supreme Court clarified who must prove payment of wages and commissions in labor cases.
Retrenchment Rules in the Philippines: When Business Losses Justify Employee Dismissal
Learn the strict rules for valid retrenchment in the Philippines, including proof of serious losses, notice requirements, and quitclaim limits.
Project Employee Rights Understanding Illegal Dismissal IN Philippine Labor LAW
Learn how the Supreme Court protects project employees from illegal dismissal under Philippine labor law, including rules on termination and remedies.
Proving Overtime in Philippine Labor Cases: Why Daily Time Records Matter and When They Don't
Daily time records aren't always conclusive in overtime claims. Learn when Philippine courts disregard them and how the doubt rule favors employees.
Certiorari vs Appeal: The Proper Way to Challenge NLRC Decisions in the Philippines
Learn the correct remedy for questioning NLRC decisions—certiorari under Rule 65, filed with the Court of Appeals, not a direct appeal.