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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Sheriff Misconduct: When Moonlighting Becomes Malfeasance in Office — Abadiano v. Regalado
Learn how a sheriff's moonlighting for a party in a case he handled became misconduct, and the ethical rules for judicial employees.
Loss of Trust and Confidence as Just Cause for Dismissal: The Coca-Cola Export Corporation v. Gacayan Case
Supreme Court clarifies that loss of trust and confidence can justify dismissing non-managerial employees holding positions of responsibility, reversing an illegal dismissal ruling.
Upholding Judicial Integrity When Court Employees Abuse Authority
When trial courts blindly follow prosecutors, they abdicate judicial duty. The Supreme Court explains why double jeopardy did not attach.
When Court Employees Fail: Understanding Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of Service
A guide to conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service for Philippine court employees, with case examples and practical compliance tips.
When a Judgment Becomes Final: Back Wages and Reinstatement for Dismissed Government Employees
The Supreme Court clarifies when a judgment against a government agency becomes final, and what an illegally dismissed employee may recover.
Employer’s Subsidiary Liability for Employee Crimes: The Calang Ruling
Employers are only subsidiarily liable for employees’ criminal acts. The Calang ruling explains when and how this liability applies.
Constructive Dismissal and Optional Retirement: The Ondevilla Case
The Supreme Court clarifies constructive dismissal, optional retirement age, and separation pay in illegal dismissal cases involving managerial employees.
Due Process for Casual Employees: Security of Tenure in Philippine Civil Service
The Supreme Court clarifies that casual government employees enjoy security of tenure and cannot be dismissed without cause and due process.
Loss of Trust and Confidence: When Philippine Employers Can Validly Dismiss Employees
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when loss of trust and confidence justifies dismissal and who counts as managerial staff.
Managerial Employees and Overtime Pay in the Philippines: The Clientlogic Case
Who counts as a managerial employee exempt from overtime pay? The Supreme Court's Clientlogic ruling clarifies the test.
Upholding Integrity Court Employees Conduct AND Accountability IN THE Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies that public officers may be held liable for conduct unbecoming even in private dealings, reinforcing the public trust doctrine.
Loss of Trust and Confidence in Philippine Labor Law: When Dismissal Becomes Illegal
Philippine labor law requires employers to prove willful breach of trust before dismissing employees. This case explains the standard.
Punctuality in Public Service: Sanctions for Habitual Tardiness in the Judiciary
The Supreme Court reiterates that habitual tardiness violates the constitutional canon that public office is a public trust, imposing suspensions and reprimands on erring employees.
Burden of Proof in Illegal Dismissal Cases: Establishing the Fact of Dismissal First
In illegal dismissal cases, employees must first prove the fact of dismissal before the burden shifts to the employer. Exodus v. Biscocho explains this rule.
Deceptive Practices in Sales: When Employees Face Estafa Liability
Sales employees can face estafa liability for deceptive practices. The Supreme Court explains when soliciting clients despite knowledge of fraud constitutes misrepresentation.
Clarifying Separation Benefits MWSS Employees Entitlement Under ERIP II
Supreme Court clarifies separation pay entitlements of MWSS employees who retired under ERIP II, ruling on the balance due to long-serving employees.
Falsification of Court Documents: Consequences for Dishonest Court Employees in the Philippines
Understand when a court employee's failure to disclose a past administrative case in a PDS amounts to dishonesty, and when it does not.
When Illegal Dismissal Claims of Probationary Employees Fall Outside DARAB Jurisdiction: Del Monte Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies DARAB jurisdiction over agrarian disputes, distinguishing recovery of possession cases from tenurial controversies under RA 6657.
Employee vs Independent Contractor: Key Factors in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies the control test distinguishing employees from independent contractors, using an insurance agent case as guide.
Grave Misconduct in the Philippine Judiciary: What Court Employees Should Know
A Supreme Court ruling explains why court employees face dismissal for grave misconduct, even if criminal charges are dismissed.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Parent Companies Face Liability for Labor Violations
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when parent companies can be held liable for subsidiaries' labor violations, explained for employees and businesses.
When Court Employees Owe Debts: Willful Failure to Pay and Conduct Unbecoming
A court process server's seven-year unpaid debt leads to administrative liability. Learn the rules on willful failure to pay just debts.
When Court Employees Owe Debts: Administrative Liability for Unpaid Obligations
A court process server who failed to pay a just debt for seven years was fined for conduct unbecoming, showing that public office demands high ethical standards.
Willful Failure to Pay Just Debts Is Conduct Unbecoming a Court Employee
Court employees must pay just debts; willful non-payment is conduct unbecoming, even if the debt is later settled.