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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Breach of Trust and Qualified Theft: When Employee Misconduct Justifies Dismissal
The Supreme Court clarifies when an employee's theft against a co-worker constitutes a valid cause for termination under Philippine labor law.
Breach of Trust: Defining Grave Abuse of Confidence in Qualified Theft Cases
SC clarifies that bank employees holding deposited funds act with grave abuse of confidence, making them liable for qualified theft.
Breach of Trust Establishing Estafa Through Misappropriated Loan Proceeds
When does failure to turn over loan proceeds become estafa? The Supreme Court explains misappropriation under Article 315.
Breach of Public Trust, Misappropriation of Funds, and the Duty of Accountable Public Servants
The Supreme Court affirms that misappropriating funds received in trust constitutes estafa, emphasizing the fiduciary duty of accountable public servants.
When a Lawyer's Private Dealings Destroy Public Trust: Manaois v. Deciembre
A lawyer's private misconduct can lead to indefinite suspension. Learn the lessons from Manaois v. Deciembre on professional responsibility.
Habitual Tardiness in the Judiciary: Why Punctuality Is a Public Trust Duty
A court stenographer's habitual tardiness leads to reprimand, reaffirming that punctuality is a core duty of every judicial employee.
Breach OF Public Trust Dismissal FOR Dishonesty AND Misconduct IN Handling Court Funds
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.
Breach of Trust Establishing Estafa in Financial Misappropriation Cases
Explore when breach of trust constitutes estafa under Philippine law, and why agricultural leasehold tenants cannot be prosecuted for it.
Moonlighting and Employee Dismissal: Defining the Boundaries of Trust and Confidence
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when moonlighting justifies dismissal and how loss of trust and confidence must be proven.
Breach of Trust When Confidentiality Justifies Dismissal of a Managerial Employee
When can an employer dismiss a managerial employee for breach of confidentiality? The Supreme Court explains the rule on loss of trust and confidence.
Grave Misconduct and Breach of Public Trust: When a Process Server Is Dismissed
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling shows how a process server's unexplained delay and unauthorized acceptance of travel money led to dismissal for grave misconduct.
Judiciary Employees and Private Business: Maintaining Public Trust in Philippine Courts
Why Philippine court employees cannot engage in private business, explained through a 2008 Supreme Court ruling on a clerk of court's lending venture.
Judicial Employees Maintaining Public Trust Through Proper Conduct
Loss of Trust and Confidence: When a Bank May Validly Dismiss a Managerial Employee
The Supreme Court explains when an employer may dismiss a managerial employee for loss of trust and confidence, and why financial assistance is not always due.
Breach of Trust: When Misappropriation Constitutes Estafa
When does an employee's breach of trust amount to estafa? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of loss of confidence as a ground for dismissal.
Loss of Confidence as a Just Cause for Dismissal: When Can Employers Terminate Trusted Employees?
The Supreme Court clarifies when employers may validly dismiss managerial employees for loss of trust and confidence under Philippine labor law.
Safeguarding Public Trust: Preventive Suspension and Unexplained Wealth in Public Office
The Supreme Court clarifies when the Ombudsman may preventively suspend public officials facing charges of dishonesty and unexplained wealth.
Habitual Absenteeism in the Judiciary: When Health Issues Mitigate Penalties
The Supreme Court clarifies when illness can mitigate the penalty for habitual absenteeism, balancing employee welfare with the public trust doctrine.
Lis Pendens Cancellation: Final Judgments and Property Rights Under Biglang-Awa
Learn when a notice of lis pendens can be cancelled after a final judgment, based on the Supreme Court ruling in Biglang-Awa v. Philippine Trust Company.
Breach of Trust Estafa Conviction for Misappropriated Purchase Orders
Supreme Court affirms estafa conviction when a seller used purchase order cards for personal benefit instead of remitting proceeds to the owner.
Breach of Trust in Employment: When a Demand Letter Leads to Dismissal
A managerial employee's demand letter against her employer can justify dismissal for breach of trust under Philippine labor law.
Official Duty vs. Discourtesy: When Public Officials Cross the Line
The Supreme Court clarifies that public officials cannot hide behind official duty to justify discourtesy, reaffirming public office as a public trust.
Clerks of Court Upholding Fiscal Responsibility and Public Trust in Handling Court Funds
A clerk of court fined for collecting transportation allowance without issuing official receipts, violating Rule 141 and Supreme Court Circular No. 26-97.