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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Reinstatement vs. Separation Pay: Upholding the Rights of Illegally Dismissed Employees
Illegal dismissal entitles workers to reinstatement and full back wages. Separation pay is only an alternative when strained relations are proven.
Upholding Workers Rights THE Limits OF Quitclaims IN Philippine Labor LAW
Philippine Supreme Court rules on when quitclaims and waivers signed by employees are invalid and cannot bar recovery of labor standard claims.
Rice Allowance and the Salary Standardization Law: The LWUA-COA Ruling Explained
The Supreme Court explains when government employees may keep allowances like rice subsidies under the Salary Standardization Law.
Reinstatement Prevails: An Employee's Right to Their Former Position After Illegal Dismissal
Philippine Supreme Court affirms that illegally dismissed employees have a right to reinstatement to their former position, not just separation pay.
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.
Retrenchment vs Retirement: What Philippine Employees Must Know Before Signing Quitclaims
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when retrenched employees may claim retirement benefits and why signed quitclaims can bar further claims.
Retrenchment vs Retirement: Employee Rights and Quitclaims in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when retrenched employees may claim retirement benefits and when quitclaims bar further claims.
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.
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.
CBA Separation Pay for Voluntary Resignation: When Contractual Stipulations Prevail
Philippine Supreme Court rules that a CBA can grant separation pay to voluntarily resigning employees, even if the Labor Code does not require it.
Project Employees vs Regular Employees: Security of Tenure Under the Labor Code
When is a construction worker a project employee rather than a regular one? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on tenure and illegal dismissal.
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.
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.
The Compassionate Exception: When Can a Lawfully Dismissed Employee Receive Separation Pay
Philippine law generally denies separation pay to employees dismissed for just cause, but a compassionate exception exists. 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.
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.
Illegal Dismissal: Full Backwages Despite Procedural Lapses
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled that illegally dismissed employees are entitled to full backwages even without perfect procedural compliance.
Due Process in Employee Dismissal: The Two-Notice Rule Under Philippine Labor Law
Philippine law requires employers to follow the two-notice rule before dismissing employees. Learn what this means from a Supreme Court ruling.
Upholding Due Process: Employees' Right to Notice in Termination Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies that resignation does not shield court employees from administrative liability for dishonesty and grave misconduct.
Retirement Benefits and Notional Salary: Employee Rights in Overseas Assignments
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether retirement benefits for overseas-assigned employees are based on notional or actual salary.
Court Personnel Must Answer Written Inquiries Promptly: A Lesson from A.M. No. P-04-1912
Court employees must respond in writing to public inquiries within 15 working days. Verbal replies are not enough.
Upholding Ethical Conduct: Dismissal for Absences and Discourtesy in Public Service
Court employees must uphold public trust. Learn how habitual absences and gross discourtesy led to penalties in this administrative case.