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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Regular vs Casual Employment in the Philippines: Key Protections for Long-Term Workers
The Supreme Court clarifies when a worker becomes regular under Article 280, protecting long-term employees from dismissal without just cause.
Regular Employment vs Redundancy: Protecting Employee Rights in Termination Cases
Understand when probationary employees become regular, what proves valid redundancy, and how the Supreme Court safeguards security of tenure.
Probationary Employment in Academia: Ateneo's Right to Set Standards for Faculty Retention
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling that universities may set their own standards for probationary faculty retention, and how the Manual of Regulations for Private Schools applies.
Prescription of Claims in Maritime Employment: Time Limits and Legal Recourse
When POEA contracts expire, seafarers may fall under Labor Code rules. Learn how Delos Santos v. Jebsen Maritime clarifies rights.
Probationary Employment and Employer Prerogative: When Clearance Requirements Justify Non-Regularization
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on probationary employment, employer prerogative, and reasonable pre-employment requirements for regularization.
Breach of Overseas Employment Contract: Full Reimbursement and Salaries Due
Philippine Supreme Court affirms that illegally dismissed overseas workers are entitled to full placement fee refund and salaries under RA 8042.
Laches and Due Process in Public Employment: Can Delay Nullify a Wrongful Dismissal?
The Supreme Court clarifies when a dismissed public employee's delay in filing a complaint bars reinstatement, even if dismissal lacked due process.
Misconduct and Job Security: When a Private Agreement Impacts Employment
A fishing crew dismissed for taking fish without a gate pass learns that valid cause doesn't excuse denial of due process.
Dismissal Upheld Despite Prior Termination When Dishonesty Charges Become Moot
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies rules on project employment, labor-only contracting, and due process in illegal dismissal cases.
Breach of Contract vs Employer-Employee Dispute: Defining Jurisdiction in Post-Employment Obligations
Supreme Court clarifies when breach of non-compete clauses falls under regular courts, not labor arbiters.
Breach of Trust in Employment: Substantiation Required for Valid Termination
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that employers must prove breach of trust with substantial evidence before terminating employees for loss of confidence.
Mutuality of Contracts: When One-Sided Termination Clauses in Employment Contracts Are Void
The Supreme Court explains when a termination clause that leaves dismissal to one party's sole judgment violates the mutuality principle under Article 1308 of the Civil Code.
Dual Employment in the Public Sector: When Service Becomes a Violation of Duty
The Supreme Court clarifies when accepting public sector positions and practicing law can violate the Constitution, Civil Service rules, and the lawyer's oath.
When Contracting Turns Into Employment: Defining the True Employer
Learn how Philippine courts determine the real employer in contracting arrangements and what this means for liability in illegal dismissal cases.
Due Process in Employment Termination: Balancing Employer Authority and Employee Rights in Dismissal Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the two-notice rule and hearing requirement in dismissal cases, and the nominal damages for procedural lapses.
Quitclaims and Continued Employment: Can Post-Termination Actions Revoke Redundancy?
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when quitclaims are valid and whether post-termination tasks revoke a redundancy dismissal.
Constructive Dismissal: Demotion and Altered Work Conditions as Illegal Termination
When a demotion and altered work schedule make continued employment unreasonable, it amounts to constructive dismissal, entitling workers to backwages and reinstatement.
Probationary Employment Termination Requires Just Cause AND Due Process
Probationary employees enjoy security of tenure. Employers must prove just cause and observe due process when terminating them.
Regular vs Seasonal Employment: Rights of Sugar Plantation Workers
Supreme Court clarifies when seasonal sugar workers become regular employees entitled to security of tenure and full labor rights.
Appeal Bonds in Labor Disputes: Ensuring Workers' Claims Are Secured
Learn how appeal bonds protect workers' monetary claims in labor disputes, based on a Philippine Supreme Court ruling on seasonal employment.
Verbal Promises vs Corporate Authority: Enforceability of Employment Benefits in the Philippines
When can a verbal promise by a corporate officer bind the company? The Supreme Court explains the limits of corporate authority over employment benefits.
Regular vs Seasonal Employment: Security of Tenure for Sugar Plantation Workers
When are sugar plantation workers regular employees entitled to security of tenure, not seasonal workers? The Supreme Court explains in Hacienda Bino v. Cuenca.
Probationary Employment: Just Cause and Due Process in Termination
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies rules on terminating probationary employees—just cause and due process requirements explained.
Seafarer Status Contractual Employment AND Security OF TENURE IN Philippine Maritime LAW
The Supreme Court rules that seafarers are contractual employees, not regular employees, even after decades of continuous rehiring.