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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The 10-Day Rule for Appealing Voluntary Arbitrator Decisions in the Philippines
Learn the strict 10-day deadline for appealing voluntary arbitrator decisions in Philippine labor cases, based on a 2017 Supreme Court ruling.
Regular Employment vs Independent Contractor: The Control Test in Philippine Labor Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when construction workers are regular employees, not independent contractors, using the four-fold test and control test.
Dismissal for Misconduct: When Employee Disrespect Justifies Termination
Explaining when an employee's disrespectful conduct toward a superior constitutes serious misconduct justifying dismissal under Philippine labor law.
Unauthorized Absences and Dismissal: The Medical Certificate Requirement in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court upheld a dismissal for unauthorized absences, ruling that a vague medical certificate cannot excuse habitual absenteeism.
Disobeying Orders: When Does It Justify Dismissal in the Philippines?
Philippine labor law on insubordination: when defiance of company orders warrants dismissal, and when it does not.
Quitclaims in Philippine Labor Law: When a Waiver of Claims Is Valid and Binding
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when quitclaims are valid, how consideration is measured, and whether amounts received must be returned or offset.
Constructive Dismissal: Proving Unbearable Working Conditions in Philippine Labor Law
When do employer actions become constructive dismissal? The Supreme Court clarifies the test in Borja v. Miñoza.
Project vs Regular Employment: Defining Boundaries of Fixed-Term Contracts in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when project-based employees become regular employees and the validity of fixed-term contracts in Philippine labor law.
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.
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.
Independent Contractor vs Employee: The Right of Control Test in Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the right of control test distinguishing independent contractors from employees in Valeroso v. Skycable.
Notice Requirement in Business Closure: Protecting Employee Rights
Learn the 30-day notice rule for business closure under Philippine labor law, and what counts as compliance.
Willful Disobedience in the Workplace: When Can an Employee Be Dismissed
Learn when willful disobedience justifies dismissal under Philippine labor law, based on a Supreme Court ruling on a cooperative cashier.
Willful Disobedience: When a Cooperative Employee Defies Direct Orders
Explore when an employee's defiance of a board's lawful orders constitutes willful disobedience justifying dismissal under Philippine labor law.
Breach of Trust in Employment: Requisites for Valid Dismissal in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when breach of trust justifies dismissal and what due process requires in Philippine labor law.
Constructive Dismissal vs Abandonment: Security of Tenure in Philippine Labor Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies the line between constructive dismissal and abandonment, protecting security of tenure for security guards in the Philippines.
Preventive Suspension Limits and Employer Rights in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when employers may impose successive preventive suspensions and the rules on appeal bonds in labor cases.
No Illegal Dismissal, No Separation Pay: Reassessing Employee Entitlements in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when a security guard's floating status becomes constructive dismissal and how quitclaims affect employee claims.
Breach of Trust When Employee Disloyalty Justifies Termination in the Philippines
When does employee disloyalty justify termination? The Supreme Court explains breach of trust doctrine in Philippine labor law.
Proving Illegal Dismissal: The Employee's Burden of Proof in Philippine Labor Law
In illegal dismissal cases, employees must first prove they were dismissed. The Supreme Court clarifies this burden in Tri-C General Services v. Matuto.
Termination Disputes and Choice of Law: Protecting Philippine Labor Rights in Cross-Border Employment
Philippine labor tribunals can hear termination disputes involving foreign employers; Philippine law applies when the worker's duties are performed here.
Upholding Workers Rights Resolving Labor Disputes Despite Prior Agreements
Supreme Court clarifies when unauthorized use of company property justifies dismissal under Philippine labor law.
Upholding Due Process and Proving Employer-Employee Relationship in Philippine Labor Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the burden of proof in illegal dismissal cases and the four-fold test for employer-employee relationship.
Satisfaction of Judgment and the Right to Appeal: Navigating Mootness in Philippine Labor Law
When paying a labor award does not end the case: the Supreme Court clarifies the mootness doctrine in seafarer disability disputes.