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 Rights of Police Officers After Acquittal: The Roaquin Case
When can a discharged police officer demand reinstatement and back pay after acquittal? The Supreme Court explains in Calinisan v. Roaquin.
Administrative Due Process: Preliminary Investigation Before Formal Charge Is Mandatory
The Supreme Court voids GSIS administrative charges and suspensions issued without preliminary investigation, and orders back salaries for affected employees.
Reinstatement to the Bar: Proving Rehabilitation and Compliance with Disciplinary Orders
The Supreme Court grants a lawyer's petition for reinstatement after serving successive suspensions, showing the path back to practice.
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.
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.
Priority of Land Titles: Tracing Back to Original Certificates of Title
When two Torrens titles cover the same land, the earlier one prevails. Tracing back to original certificates of title is key.
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. Abandonment: How the Supreme Court Determines Illegal Dismissal and Employee Rights
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when an employee is illegally dismissed, when retirement is truly voluntary, and what backwages and separation pay are owed.
When a Transfer Becomes Constructive Dismissal: Limits on Management Prerogative
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when an employee transfer crosses the line from valid management prerogative to constructive dismissal, requiring reinstatement and backwages.
When Can the Government Back Out of an Expropriation? The Ortega v. City of Cebu Case
Explaining when the government can no longer withdraw from an expropriation case, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Spouses Ortega v. City of Cebu.
Reasonable Doubt and Rape Allegations: Lessons from People v. Bacus on Circumstantial Evidence
When can physical impossibility and medical findings overcome a rape accusation? The Supreme Court's acquittal in People v. Bacus explains.
Clarifying Back Wages IN Illegal Dismissal Coca Cola VS Agito
Honoraria for Government Procurement: DBM Guidelines Are Mandatory
The Supreme Court ruled that BAC and TWG honoraria under RA 9184 require DBM guidelines; payments before these rules are disallowable.
Constructive Dismissal When Unpaid Wages Create an Unjust Working Environment
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on procedural rules in labor cases, backwages, and reinstatement obligations of employers pending appeal.
Illegal Dismissal: Proving Valid Cause and the Right to Reinstatement and Backwages
Learn the rules on illegal dismissal, valid cause, and the employee's right to reinstatement and backwages from this Philippine Supreme Court case.
Just Cause vs Due Process: What Bacolod-Talisay Realty Teaches About Employee Dismissal
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on dismissal with just cause but defective procedure, explaining nominal damages for employees.
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.
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.
Bidding Disputes in Government Projects: Why Courts Won't Second-Guess the BAC
A Supreme Court ruling on government procurement bidding disputes, explaining the proper legal remedies and why courts respect the discretion of bidding authorities.
Ejectment and Back Rentals: The Greenhills Lease Dispute and the Limits of Court Awards
A stalled sublease at Greenhills Shopping Arcade leads to ejectment and a Supreme Court ruling on back rentals, estoppel, and who may recover.
Victory Liner v. Race: Good Faith Can Limit Backwages in Illegal Dismissal Cases
When an employer acts in good faith, an illegally dismissed employee may receive limited backwages instead of full backwages.
Reinstatement and Attorney's Fees: Protecting Employee Rights After Illegal Termination
Learn how the Supreme Court protects employees' right to reinstatement and backwages after illegal dismissal, and what it means for workers.
No Back Salaries for Government Employees Dismissed in Good Faith: Protecting Public Funds
Supreme Court rules government employees dismissed in good faith are not entitled to back salaries upon reinstatement, upholding Octot v. Ybañez.