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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Social Media Speech and Employment: Defining the Boundaries of Loss of Trust in Termination Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when loss of trust justifies dismissal, distinguishing rank-and-file from managerial employees.
Insubordination in the Workplace: Defining the Scope of Employee Duties and Employer Authority
The Supreme Court clarifies when an employee's refusal to follow orders is insubordination and when it is a justified defense against dismissal.
Dismissal Based on Weak Evidence: The Employer's Burden in Illegal Dismissal Cases
In Oasis Park Hotel v. Navaluna, the Supreme Court reminds employers that the burden of proving a valid dismissal rests on them — and weak evidence favors the worker.
Appeal Bonds and Due Process in Labor Dismissal Cases: Key Lessons from the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court clarifies when defective appeal bonds may be excused and how courts may rule on unassigned errors in illegal dismissal cases.
Union Officers Dismissed for Instigating Work Slowdown: What Labor Law Says
The Supreme Court upheld the dismissal of union officers who instigated a work slowdown. Learn the legal rules on illegal concerted activities and due process.
Loss of Trust and Confidence as Ground for Dismissal: What Employers Must Prove
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when loss of trust and confidence justifies employee dismissal, requiring willful breach proven by substantial evidence.
Illegal Slowdowns and Union Officer Dismissal: The Polyson Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when a work slowdown becomes an illegal strike and justifies dismissal of union officers under Philippine labor law.
Judicial Ethics: When a Judge's Private Conduct Costs the Bench
A judge's affair with a litigant led to dismissal. The Supreme Court clarifies judicial ethics standards for Philippine magistrates.
Negligence in Supervision: Employer's Right to Terminate for Gross Neglect of Duty
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a supervisor's failure to oversee staff constitutes gross and habitual neglect, justifying dismissal.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Corporate Officers Are Personally Liable for Illegal Dismissal Debts
The Supreme Court clarifies when corporate officers can be held personally liable for illegal dismissal awards, requiring proof of bad faith.
Piercing the Corporate Veil When Labor Rights Trump Corporate Fiction in Illegal Dismissal Cases
When a contractor is a labor-only scheme, the principal becomes the true employer. The Supreme Court pierces the corporate veil to protect workers' rights.
Protecting Workers: Illegal Dismissal and the Rights of Pakyaw Employees in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that pakyaw workers are regular employees entitled to security of tenure, holiday pay, and service incentive leave pay.
Dismissal OF Falsification Complaints Probable Cause VS Complainants Presence
Burden of Proof in Illegal Dismissal: Proving the Fact of Dismissal First
In illegal dismissal cases, the employee must first prove the fact of dismissal before the employer bears the burden of justifying it.
When Family Driver Claims Mask Illegal Dismissal: Protecting Employee Rights in the Philippines
Supreme Court rules that labeling a company driver as a "family driver" cannot defeat illegal dismissal claims and full backwages.
Dismissal and Forum Shopping: The Perils of Duplicative Litigation
Supreme Court clarifies exhaustion of administrative remedies and forum shopping in MARINA cases, with practical guidance for litigants.
Forum Shopping AND Dismissal Safeguarding Judicial Efficiency IN Employment Disputes
Breach of Trust Dismissal for Falsifying Court Documents in the Philippines
Supreme Court disbars lawyer who misappropriated client funds and engaged in double-dealing, violating the Code of Professional Responsibility.
Upholding Due Process in Dismissals: The Four-Fold Test and Employer Liability
The Supreme Court clarifies the four-fold test for employer-employee relationships and the need for due process in dismissals.
Mitigating Dismissal Proportionality in Disciplinary Actions for Rank and File Employees
When is dismissal too harsh for a first-time offense? The Supreme Court clarifies the rule on dishonesty and grave misconduct in public service.
Proportionality in Dismissal: Balancing Employee Misconduct and Length of Service
When is dismissal too harsh a penalty? The Supreme Court explains the rule of proportionality in labor cases.
Upholding Attorneys Duty Dismissal OF Baseless Disbarment Complaint
The Supreme Court dismissed a baseless disbarment complaint against a lawyer who correctly rejected a claim based on a void Spanish title, and fined the complainant.
Breach of Trust and Termination: When Is Dismissal Too Harsh in Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when dismissal for breach of trust is too harsh, and when separation pay may still be awarded.
Habitual Tardiness in the Judiciary: When Punctuality Becomes Ground for Dismissal
Supreme Court affirms dismissal of court employee for third offense of habitual tardiness, stressing punctuality as a core duty in the judiciary.