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.
AWOL and Due Process: Can an Employee Dropped From the Rolls Still Face Administrative Cases?
The Supreme Court clarifies that being dropped from the rolls for AWOL does not end pending administrative cases, especially for court employees facing fund shortages.
Judiciary Employees and Private Business: Maintaining Public Trust in Philippine Courts
Why Philippine court employees cannot engage in private business, explained through a 2008 Supreme Court ruling on a clerk of court's lending venture.
Judicial Accountability: Dismissal for Undue Delay and Misconduct in Philippine Courts
Process server dismissed for grave misconduct over delayed summons service and unauthorized travel money. Philippine Supreme Court ruling explained.
Defining Confidential Employees: Balancing Labor Rights and Management Prerogatives in Collective Bargaining
Supreme Court ruling on confidential employees in bargaining units and acting capacity pay, balancing labor rights with management prerogatives.
Gross Negligence and Project Employment: Protecting Employee Rights Against Unjust Dismissal
Learn how the Supreme Court defined gross negligence and project employment in Belle Corporation v. Macasusi, protecting employees from unjust dismissal.
Certiorari vs Appeal: Choosing the Right Path for Legal Review in the Philippines
Learn when to file a petition for certiorari versus an appeal under Rule 45, explained through a Philippine Supreme Court labor case.
When a Sheriff's Excuses Fail: Dereliction of Duty in Philippine Courts
A deputy sheriff's repeated failure to serve court processes leads to one-year suspension, clarifying standards of diligence for court personnel.
Immorality as Ground for Suspension: Court Personnel Held to High Moral Standards
Court employees face discipline for immoral conduct. Learn how a process server's extramarital affair led to suspension.
San Miguel Corp. v. NLRC: When Dismissal for Unauthorized Absences Is Justified
Explore when unauthorized absences justify dismissal under Philippine labor law, as clarified in San Miguel Corp. v. NLRC (2008).
When Court Employees Fail Their Duty: The Madolaria Administrative Case
A deputy sheriff's repeated failures to serve court processes led to a one-year suspension, reinforcing the strict standards for judicial employees.
Proving Just Cause in Retrenchment and Redundancy: Lessons from AMA Computer College
Learn what employers must prove for valid retrenchment or redundancy dismissals, and why AMA Computer College's termination of two employees was ruled illegal.
Dismissal for Dishonesty: Courts Demand Accountability in Public Funds Management
Court personnel who willfully fail to pay just debts face administrative liability, even if complainants withdraw their cases. Learn the rules.
Just Cause Without Due Process: When Dismissal Stands But Damages Follow
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a valid cause for dismissal does not excuse an employer from the two-notice rule, imposing nominal damages.
Ombudsman’s Authority to Impose Administrative Sanctions on Erring Officials
The Supreme Court affirms the Ombudsman's power to directly impose administrative penalties, not just recommend them, on erring public officials.
Breach of Trust in Employment: When a Demand Letter Leads to Dismissal
A managerial employee's demand letter against her employer can justify dismissal for breach of trust under Philippine labor law.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Corporate Officers Can Be Held Personally Liable
The Supreme Court clarifies when corporate officers may be personally liable for labor claims, and why final judgments cannot be altered to pierce the corporate veil.
Pawnshop Liability Fortuitous Events Negligence AND Insurance Obligations IN Pledge Agreements
When a pawned item is lost to robbery, who bears the loss? The Supreme Court clarifies pawnshop liability, fortuitous events, and insurance duties.
Dismissal vs Compassion: Balancing Employee Misconduct and Employment Security
The Supreme Court ruled that dismissal was too harsh for an employee's lapses during family crises, affirming that compassion tempers discipline.
Jurisdiction Over Labor Disputes: The Decisive Moment of Filing Claims
A Supreme Court ruling on why filing the wrong remedy — or the right one too late — can end a labor case before the merits are ever reached.
When Courts Won't Second-Guess the Ombudsman's Dismissal of Graft Complaints
The Supreme Court affirms the Ombudsman's wide discretion in dismissing graft complaints, limiting judicial review to grave abuse of discretion.
Breach of Trust: When Workplace Conduct Undermines Employer Confidence
Supreme Court ruling on when managerial employees may be validly dismissed for breach of trust and loss of confidence.
Judicial Accountability: Judges and Court Personnel Held Liable for Undue Delay and Misconduct
Supreme Court holds retired judge liable for undue delay in deciding 23 cases and clerk of court for issuing false certification.
Lawyer's Disrespect Toward Court and Staff Draws Fines Despite Prior Disbarment
Supreme Court fines disbarred lawyer P155,000 for disrespecting court personnel and defying IBP directives, reaffirming lawyer discipline standards.
Negligence in a U-Turn Collision: Quasi-Delict Liability Under Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies negligence and vicarious liability in a U-turn collision, applying Articles 2176 and 2180 of the Civil Code.