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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Constructive Dismissal and Optional Retirement: The Ondevilla Case
The Supreme Court clarifies constructive dismissal, optional retirement age, and separation pay in illegal dismissal cases involving managerial employees.
Clarifying Separation Benefits MWSS Employees Entitlement Under ERIP II
Supreme Court clarifies separation pay entitlements of MWSS employees who retired under ERIP II, ruling on the balance due to long-serving employees.
When a Single Act of Negligence Is Not Enough: Illegal Dismissal and Separation Pay
A Supreme Court ruling explains why one isolated act of negligence may not justify dismissal, and when separation pay is due.
Dismissal For Cause When Neglect Of Duty Disentitles An Employee To Separation Pay
When can an employee be dismissed for neglect of duty and lose separation pay? This article explains the legal standard.
Retrenchment vs Illegal Dismissal: When Business Downturns Justify Employee Separation
Learn when retrenchment is valid under Philippine labor law and how procedural lapses affect separation pay and employee rights.
Illegal Strike Consequences: Reinstatement Rights and Separation Pay in Labor Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies illegal strike consequences, reinstatement rights, and separation pay for union members in labor disputes.
Illegal Strike and Backwages: What Workers Should Know Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on backwages for employees who join illegal strikes, and when separation pay may be granted instead of reinstatement.
Loss of Trust: When Separation Pay Is Not an Option
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when dismissed employees forfeit separation pay, even if dismissal is for loss of trust and confidence.
Backwages and Separation Pay: Reconciling Employee Rights in Illegal Dismissal Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that illegally dismissed employees can receive both backwages and separation pay when reinstatement is no longer feasible.
Compassionate Justice vs Legal Obligation: Limits of Financial Assistance in Authorized Dismissals
Supreme Court rules employers cannot be forced to pay extra financial assistance beyond separation pay mandated by law for valid closures.
Dishonesty in the Workplace: No Financial Assistance for Terminated Employees
The Supreme Court rules that employees dismissed for theft or dishonesty are not entitled to separation pay or financial assistance.
Illegal Dismissal Damages: Computing Backwages Until Judgment Becomes Final
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how backwages and separation pay are computed in illegal dismissal cases, including when the computation period ends and interest applies.
Reckoning Backwages and Separation Pay: Finality of Illegal Dismissal Judgments
When illegal dismissal judgments become final, backwages and separation pay must be computed up to that date, not just the labor arbiter's decision date.
Double Dipping Denied: Separation Pay vs Retirement Benefits in Government Restructuring
Supreme Court rules NPC employees who received separation pay under EPIRA cannot also claim retirement benefits under CA 186, as amended.
Separation Pay for Validly Dismissed Employees: The Quiambao Ruling on Social Justice Limits
Supreme Court clarifies when validly dismissed employees may receive separation pay, balancing social justice against employer rights.
Reinstatement vs Restructuring: Employee Rights in Corporate Changes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on employee rights when corporate restructuring invalidates termination—reinstatement, backwages, and separation pay explained.
Reinstatement vs Separation Pay: Defining Strained Relations in Illegal Dismissal Cases
When can an illegally dismissed employee be denied reinstatement due to strained relations? The Supreme Court clarifies the rule.
Illegal Dismissal Termination Requires Proof of Voluntary Resignation
Employers claiming voluntary resignation must prove it; otherwise, dismissal is illegal and separation pay is due.
Resignation With Assurance: Enforceability of Separation Pay Agreements in Voluntary Resignations
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a voluntary resignation with a promised separation pay creates an enforceable obligation on the employer.
Upholding Attorneys Duty Ethical Limits IN Advocating FOR A Clients Cause
The Supreme Court clarifies that illegally dismissed employees who are not faultless may receive separation pay but no backwages.
Breach of Trust and Confidence: When Managerial Employees Lose Separation Pay
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when loss of trust and confidence justifies termination and bars separation pay for managerial employees.
Illegal Strikes and Unfair Labor Practices: When Employee Remedies Survive
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when employees who joined an illegal strike may still claim backwages and separation pay for unfair labor practices.
Retrenchment vs Retirement: When Separation Pay Bars Retirement Benefits
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when retrenched employees can claim retirement benefits on top of separation pay under the Labor Code and CBA.
Early Retirement Requires Explicit Consent: SC Clarifies Optional Retirement Rules
SC rules an employee cannot be forced into early retirement without explicit consent, clarifying optional retirement and separation pay rules.