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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Maintaining Labor Peace: The Duty to Preserve Status Quo During Labor Disputes
Learn how the Supreme Court protects employees from illegal dismissal and clarifies the duty to maintain the status quo during labor disputes.
Affidavits of Retraction and Evidence in Illegal Dismissal Cases: PNB v. Gregorio
Supreme Court clarifies how courts review NLRC rulings and how affidavits of retraction are treated in illegal dismissal cases.
Abandonment vs Illegal Dismissal: Protecting Security Guards' Rights
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a security guard who abandons his post may be validly dismissed versus illegally terminated.
Conflicting Court Decisions on Reinstatement and the Limits of Execution in Labor Disputes
When two appellate rulings clash on illegal dismissal, execution of judgment may be suspended. The Supreme Court explains the limits.
Burden of Proof in Illegal Dismissal: Employer's Duty vs. Security Guard's Claim
Who bears the burden of proof in illegal dismissal cases? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on voluntary resignation vs. constructive dismissal.
Seafarer Rights Illegal Dismissal and the Importance of Due Process
A seafarer's dismissal requires just cause and due process. The Supreme Court explains both in this landmark ruling.
Backwages IN Illegal Dismissal Cases Ensuring Full Compensation FOR Lost Earnings
Voluntary Retirement VS Illegal Dismissal Understanding Employee Consent IN Retirement Plans
Forced Resignation: When a "Voluntary" Resignation Is Really Illegal Dismissal
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a resignation is forced and amounts to illegal dismissal, protecting employees from undue influence.
Security of Tenure for OFWs: Why Illegal Dismissal and Void Contracts Matter
A Supreme Court ruling affirms that overseas Filipino workers enjoy security of tenure, and contracts violating this right are void.
Illegal Dismissal: Backwages and Separation Pay Computed Until Final Judgment
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that backwages and separation pay for illegally dismissed employees run until the judgment becomes final, regardless of who appealed.
Finality of Judgment and Computation of Backwages in Illegal Dismissal Cases
When do backwages stop accruing in illegal dismissal cases? The Supreme Court clarifies the rule on finality of judgment.
Supreme Court: Early Retirement Must Be Voluntary—Illegal Dismissal Ruling Against Letran
SC rules an employee cannot be retired early without express consent; Letran liable for illegal dismissal, separation pay, and backwages.
Illegal Dismissal and Corporate Liability: The People's Security, Inc. Case
Supreme Court clarifies illegal dismissal rules, abandonment defense, and when corporate officers may be held personally liable.
Illegal Dismissal Claims: When Breach of Trust Justifies Termination Despite Weak Theft Evidence
Philippine Auto Components v. Jumadla clarifies when loss of trust and confidence can justify dismissal even if serious misconduct is not proven.
Dismissal Based on Weak Evidence: The Employer's Burden in Illegal Dismissal Cases
In Oasis Park Hotel v. Navaluna, the Supreme Court reminds employers that the burden of proving a valid dismissal rests on them — and weak evidence favors the worker.
Appeal Bonds and Due Process in Labor Dismissal Cases: Key Lessons from the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court clarifies when defective appeal bonds may be excused and how courts may rule on unassigned errors in illegal dismissal cases.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Corporate Officers Are Personally Liable for Illegal Dismissal Debts
The Supreme Court clarifies when corporate officers can be held personally liable for illegal dismissal awards, requiring proof of bad faith.
Burden of Proof in Illegal Dismissal: Proving the Fact of Dismissal First
In illegal dismissal cases, the employee must first prove the fact of dismissal before the employer bears the burden of justifying it.
Piercing the Corporate Veil When Labor Rights Trump Corporate Fiction in Illegal Dismissal Cases
When a contractor is a labor-only scheme, the principal becomes the true employer. The Supreme Court pierces the corporate veil to protect workers' rights.
Protecting Workers: Illegal Dismissal and the Rights of Pakyaw Employees in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that pakyaw workers are regular employees entitled to security of tenure, holiday pay, and service incentive leave pay.
When Family Driver Claims Mask Illegal Dismissal: Protecting Employee Rights in the Philippines
Supreme Court rules that labeling a company driver as a "family driver" cannot defeat illegal dismissal claims and full backwages.
Loss of Confidence as a Ground for Dismissal: When Employers Cannot Use It as a Subterfuge
The Supreme Court clarifies that loss of confidence cannot be simulated or used as a subterfuge to justify an illegal dismissal.
Voluntary Resignation vs Illegal Dismissal: Employee Rights in Corporate Restructuring
When does a resignation become involuntary? Learn how the Supreme Court distinguishes voluntary resignation from illegal dismissal in corporate transfers.