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.
Employee vs Independent Contractor: The Control Test in Philippine Labor Law (Ushio Marketing Case)
The Ushio Marketing case clarifies the control test for determining employer-employee relationships in Philippine labor law.
Labor-Only Contracting vs. Legitimate Job Contracting: Supreme Court Clarifies Employer Liability
The Supreme Court explains the difference between labor-only contracting and legitimate job contracting, and who bears liability for workers' claims.
Solidary Liability in Overseas Employment: How Surety Bonds Protect Filipino Workers
Learn how surety bonds make recruitment agencies and their sureties solidarily liable for overseas workers' monetary claims.
Missed Pre-Trial and Default Orders: What Victory Liner v. Viron Means for Businesses
Philippine Supreme Court explains when missing a pre-trial can lead to default orders and why businesses must ensure proper representation.
Wrong Court, Wrong Remedy: Appeals From Labor Arbiter Decisions in the Philippines
Learn why a Labor Arbiter decision must be appealed to the NLRC, not the RTC, and how choosing the wrong remedy can make a judgment final and executory.
Motion to Quash Denied: Navigating Criminal Procedure and Your Rights in the Philippines
Learn when a motion to quash can be denied, the limits of certiorari, and your rights in Philippine criminal procedure.
Solidary Liability for Security Guard Wages: Employer Obligations in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when companies are solidarily liable for security agency employees' wages, back pay, and separation pay.
Due Process in Administrative Cases: Formal Hearings Are Mandatory for Elected Officials
The Supreme Court rules that administrative cases against elected officials require formal hearings, not just position papers, to satisfy due process.
Navigating Agrarian Disputes: DAR's Role in Ejectment Cases Explained
Understand the Supreme Court's ruling in Caraan v. CA on the DAR's preliminary determination of tenancy and its effect on ejectment cases.
When Should a Judge Inhibit: Safeguarding Impartiality in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when judges must voluntarily inhibit to protect judicial impartiality, explained in plain language.
Double Jeopardy in the Philippines: When Partial Promulgation of a Decision Does Not Count
When a trial court promulgates only the civil liability part of a conviction, the accused cannot claim double jeopardy to block the later promulgation of the criminal penalty.
When Workplace Fear Leads to Constructive Dismissal: Philippine Seafarers' Rights
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on constructive dismissal for seafarers who quit due to well-founded fear for their safety at work.
Exceeding Authority or Political Vendetta: Ombudsman Dismissal of Local Officials in the Philippines
When can the Ombudsman's dismissal of a local official be overturned? The Supreme Court explains in Constantino v. Desierto.
Motion for Reconsideration in NLRC Cases: A Jurisdictional Requirement, Not a Mere Technicality
Filing a Motion for Reconsideration with the NLRC is mandatory before seeking certiorari. Missing this step can be fatal to an otherwise meritorious case.
Dismissal by Sandiganbayan: Proper Legal Remedy and Mootness in Philippine Courts
Learn when a Sandiganbayan dismissal is appealable via Rule 45, not certiorari, and when cases become moot.
Missed Deadline NOT Justice Denied When Excusable Negligence Saves A Labor Appeal IN THE Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court rules on when a late labor appeal may be excused due to honest mistake, and when separation pay replaces reinstatement.
COMELEC's Power to Prosecute Election Offenses: Independent Authority Affirmed
Supreme Court affirms COMELEC's exclusive authority to prosecute election offenses, ruling that deputized prosecutors cannot override its decisions.
Litis Pendentia in the Philippines: Stopping Duplicate Lawsuits
Learn when Philippine courts dismiss duplicate lawsuits for litis pendentia, the requisites, and how to prevent splitting a cause of action.
When Can a Judge Recall a Warrant of Arrest: Understanding Abuse of Discretion
A Supreme Court ruling explains the three-day notice rule for motions and when a judge commits abuse of discretion in recalling warrants.
Ballot Authentication: How Missing BEI Signatures Affect Election Validity in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether unsigned ballots are spurious, and how voter intent prevails over technical omissions.
When a Successor Company Inherits Illegal Dismissal Liability: The Alfante Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when a successor corporation can be held liable for the illegal dismissal acts of its predecessor, and how backwages are computed.
Election Protests Ensuring Fair Canvassing AND Valid Proclamations
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on election protests, canvassing irregularities, and the validity of proclamations in electoral disputes.
Judicial Accountability: Independent Assessment of Justice Secretary's Resolutions in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on trial courts' duty to independently assess Justice Secretary's resolutions in withdrawal of criminal informations.
Illegal Dismissal Jurisdiction: Government Corporations Without Original Charters
Supreme Court clarifies which government-owned corporations fall under Labor Code jurisdiction versus Civil Service rules in illegal dismissal cases.