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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Trust Betrayed Balancing Employee Rights AND Employer Prerogatives IN Dismissal Cases
A columnist's dismissal raises the appeal bond rule in labor cases. The Supreme Court clarifies when strict compliance may be relaxed.
Court Clerk Dismissed for Misappropriating P171,450 in Judiciary and Trust Funds
Supreme Court dismisses court clerk who misappropriated P171,450 in judiciary and trust funds, ruling restitution does not erase administrative liability.
Upholding Public Trust: Sheriff Penalized for Neglecting Official Duty and Violating Office Procedures
A sheriff's repeated absences from his post without following office procedures led to a fine equivalent to one month's salary for simple misconduct.
Upholding Public Trust: The Limits of Negotiated Procurement in Government Transactions
Explore the Supreme Court's ruling on negotiated procurement limits, public trust, and accountability in government transactions.
Breach of Trust vs Freedom of Expression: Employee Rights in Dismissal Cases
When can an employer validly dismiss for breach of trust or misconduct? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits in Fujitsu v. De Guzman.
Breach of Trust in Banking: Proving Employee Misconduct for Valid Dismissal
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on loss of trust and confidence as a valid ground for dismissing managerial employees.
Express Trusts Upholding Beneficiaries Rights Despite Fictitious Sales
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on express trusts, beneficiaries' rights, and fictitious sales of property.
Judicial Conduct: Decorum and Public Trust in the Judiciary
A judge's rude remarks and impatience toward litigants constitute vulgar and unbecoming conduct, eroding public trust in the judiciary.
Bouncing Checks AND THE Illusion OF Trust Upholding Liability Under Batas Pambansa BLG 22
Breach of Trust or Harsh Penalty: Separation Pay for Dismissed Acting Employees
Philippine law allows separation pay even for valid dismissal, except for serious misconduct or moral character issues. Learn the rules.
Retirement Pay Disputes: Reconciling Vouchers and Clearances in Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court rules on separation pay for validly dismissed employees, balancing social justice with employer trust and confidence standards.
Loss of Trust and Confidence: When Temporary Assignment Does Not Justify Dismissal
Acting as a route salesman for three days did not make a driver-helper a trust-and-confidence employee, so dismissal was too harsh.
Upholding Public Trust: A Sheriff’s Liability for Unauthorized Foreclosure Sales
A sheriff who conducted foreclosure sales outside court authority was suspended for six months for breaching public trust in the judiciary.
Breach of Trust as Just Cause for Employee Dismissal in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court explains when loss of trust and confidence justifies employee dismissal under Article 282 of the Labor Code.
Breach of Trust: Dishonesty in Personal Data Sheets Justifies Dismissal of Court Employees
Supreme Court ruling on Biteng v. DILG: false statements in Personal Data Sheets constitute dishonesty warranting dismissal from government service.
Court Interpreter Dismissed for Misappropriating Fiduciary Funds: A Lesson in Public Trust
Supreme Court dismisses court interpreter for misappropriating P540,500 in fiduciary funds, underscoring strict accountability for court personnel.
When Actions Speak Louder: Trust, Dishonesty, and Due Process in Employment Termination
A Supreme Court ruling on simple misconduct in the judiciary, explaining why good faith actions can still violate trust and lead to suspension.
Loss of Trust and Due Process: Employer Liability for Dismissal Violations in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when loss of trust justifies dismissing a managerial employee and what damages apply when procedural due process is breached.
When a Lawyer Drops the Ball: Lessons from Edquibal v. Ferrer on Diligence and Client Trust
A Supreme Court ruling on lawyer negligence in appeals, explaining counsel's duty of diligence and what clients should expect.
Upholding Ethical Conduct: An Attorney's Duty to Fulfill Financial Obligations and Maintain Honesty
A lawyer who acquires client property entrusted to him commits gross misconduct warranting disbarment under the Code of Professional Responsibility.
Lawyer Disbarred for Misappropriating Client's Properties and Abusing Trust
Supreme Court disbars lawyer who took client's land titles, registered properties in his own name, and abused fiduciary duty.
Lawyer Disbarred for Taking Client's Properties in Breach of Trust
A lawyer who acquired his client's properties for himself instead of selling them to pay creditors was disbarred for gross misconduct.
Notarial Misconduct Upholding Public Trust in Legal Documentation
A notary who acts outside her commission undermines public trust. The Court fined a lawyer P10,000 for notarizing documents in Bayombong without authority.
Breach of Trust Dismissal for Theft Within the Supreme Court: Etcuban v. Sulpicio Lines
When can an employer dismiss a fiduciary employee for loss of trust and confidence? The Supreme Court explains in Etcuban v. Sulpicio Lines.