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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When Can a Government Employee Be Dropped From the Rolls for Unsatisfactory Performance?
Philippine law on dropping government employees from the rolls for unsatisfactory performance, and the due process requirements that protect them.
Judicial Employees Maintaining Public Trust Through Proper Conduct
Immorality Charges Require Substantial Evidence Mere Allegations Insufficient
The Supreme Court reminds that administrative charges of immorality against court employees need substantial evidence, not mere allegations or hearsay.
Probationary Employees in the Civil Service: Termination Needs Just Cause and Due Process
The Supreme Court holds that a probationary civil servant may be dropped only for unsatisfactory conduct or want of capacity, supported by evidence and due process.
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.
Gross Negligence and Project Employment: Protecting Employee Rights Against Unjust Dismissal
Learn how the Supreme Court defined gross negligence and project employment in Belle Corporation v. Macasusi, protecting employees from unjust dismissal.
When Is Negligence "Gross and Habitual"? Lessons from Belle Corporation v. Macasusi
The Supreme Court clarifies the standard for dismissing employees for gross negligence and the rules on project versus regular employment in the Philippines.
Defining Confidential Employees: Balancing Labor Rights and Management Prerogatives in Collective Bargaining
Supreme Court ruling on confidential employees in bargaining units and acting capacity pay, balancing labor rights with management prerogatives.
When Court Employees Fail Their Duty: The Madolaria Administrative Case
A deputy sheriff's repeated failures to serve court processes led to a one-year suspension, reinforcing the strict standards for judicial employees.
Immorality as Ground for Suspension: Court Personnel Held to High Moral Standards
Court employees face discipline for immoral conduct. Learn how a process server's extramarital affair led to suspension.
Proving Just Cause in Retrenchment and Redundancy: Lessons from AMA Computer College
Learn what employers must prove for valid retrenchment or redundancy dismissals, and why AMA Computer College's termination of two employees was ruled illegal.
Dishonesty in the Workplace: Gauging Sufficient Evidence for Employee Termination
The Supreme Court clarifies the evidentiary standard for dismissing employees for dishonesty, distinguishing valid termination from illegal dismissal.
Labor-Only Contracting: Employee Rights and Employer Obligations in the Philippines
Philippine Airlines v. Ligan explains labor-only contracting rules, when workers become regular employees, and employer liability under Philippine law.
Breach of Trust: When Workplace Conduct Undermines Employer Confidence
Supreme Court ruling on when managerial employees may be validly dismissed for breach of trust and loss of confidence.
Cohabitation and Ethical Standards: Defining Immorality in the Judiciary
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when cohabitation by court employees amounts to grossly immoral conduct warranting administrative discipline.
Ombudsman's Authority Upheld Disciplining Public School Teachers and Employees
Supreme Court confirms the Ombudsman can directly discipline public school teachers and employees, not just recommend action.
Preventive Suspension and Backwages of Local Government Employees Under Investigation
When can a suspended local government employee claim backwages? The Supreme Court clarifies the rule in Plaza v. Court of Appeals.
Moral Conduct in the Judiciary: Defining Immorality and Due Process for Court Employees
The Supreme Court clarifies when giving birth out of wedlock is immoral conduct for court employees and protects due process rights.
Mandatory Retirement Age for Water District Employees: The Bayona Case
The Supreme Court affirms that water district employees must retire at 65, not 60, and that forced early retirement entitles them to back salaries.
When Cooperative Members Are Employees: SSS Coverage and the Four-Fold Test
Can a cooperative's owner-members also be its employees for SSS coverage? The Supreme Court says yes, applying the four-fold test.
Supervisory Employees and Overtime Pay: The Limits of Benefit Preservation in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when overtime pay is a preserved benefit for supervisory employees under Article 100 of the Labor Code.
Dismissal Disputes: Why Procedural Compliance and Employer Accountability Matter
Learn how Philippine courts decide illegal dismissal cases, the burden of proof, and why employees must prove dismissal first.
Work Related Illness Upholding Employees Compensation FOR Judges Under PD 626
Redundancy Dismissal: Fair Criteria and Due Notice Under Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on redundancy dismissal: employers must prove fair criteria and give proper notice to DOLE and employees.