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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Unexcused Absence When Neglect of Duty Leads to Removal From Public Service
Continuous AWOL for 30 working days can lead to dropping from the rolls. Learn the rules and consequences for government employees.
Breach of Trust Defining Just Cause for Termination in Philippine Employment Law
Philippine law requires breach of trust to be work-related, serious, and proven by substantial evidence before employers may validly terminate employees.
Unexcused Absence When Neglecting Duty Leads to Removal From Public Service
Learn when Philippine courts drop government employees from the rolls for AWOL, and what rights remain after separation.
Regular Seasonal vs Regular Employment: What the Supreme Court Says About Worker Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies when "regular seasonal" workers become regular employees, protecting their rights under Philippine labor law.
Piece-Rate Workers Are Regular Employees Entitled to Security of Tenure
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that piece-rate payment does not negate regular employment, and abandonment requires proof of intent.
AWOL and Accountability: Dropping Employees from the Rolls for Unauthorized Absences
Learn when Philippine government employees can be dropped from the rolls for AWOL, the procedure involved, and what benefits remain.
Calendar Days vs. Working Days: How Suspensions Are Counted for Philippine Government Employees
The Supreme Court clarifies that suspensions for government employees are served in calendar days, including weekends and holidays, not working days.
Constructive Dismissal: When a "Voluntary" Resignation Is Not Voluntary at All
The Supreme Court clarifies when a signed resignation letter is actually constructive dismissal, protecting employees from forced resignations disguised as voluntary acts.
Reorganization in Bad Faith: Protecting Security of Tenure in Government Service
When government reorganizations target employees in bad faith, security of tenure still protects them. Learn the legal standard.
Laches and Jurisdiction: When Delaying a Challenge Can Validate an Invalid Forum
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on laches, jurisdiction, and forum challenges in labor disputes, with practical takeaways for employers and employees.
Good Faith Exception When Government Employees CAN Keep Disallowed Benefits
PhilHealth v. COA clarifies when government employees may keep disallowed benefits despite an audit disallowance.
Regular Employee Status: Distinguishing Independent Contractors From Labor-Only Contracting
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when workers are regular employees despite agency transfers, distinguishing independent contractors from labor-only contracting.
Regular Employment in Poultry Farms: Length of Service and Necessity of Work
Supreme Court clarifies when maintenance workers in poultry farms become regular employees under Philippine labor law.
Regular Employment and Labor-Only Contracting: Lingat v. Coca-Cola Bottlers
Supreme Court clarifies when agency-hired workers are regular employees of the principal employer, and the limits of labor contracting.
Loss of Trust and Confidence as Just Cause: Balancing Employer Rights and Due Process in Termination Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when loss of trust and confidence justifies dismissal, and when employers still owe employees procedural due process.
Receiving Money from Bondsmen Is Grave Misconduct for Court Personnel
Court employees cannot receive money from litigants, even as voluntary "token" gifts. The Supreme Court explains why in Perez v. Roxas.
Liberal Interpretation OF Nlrc Rules Protecting Illegally Dismissed Employees Rights
Judicial Ethics and Court Employees: The Limits of Intervention in Legal Proceedings
Court employees must not meddle in cases where they have no official role. Learn from a Supreme Court ruling on simple misconduct.
Voluntary Resignation vs Illegal Dismissal: Proving the Fact of Termination
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that employees must first prove the fact of termination before employers bear the burden of showing just cause.
Project Employment in Construction: Defining Scope and Tenure in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when construction workers are project employees, not regular employees, and what benefits they retain.
Mental Fitness in Public Service: When Illness, Not Misconduct, Ends Employment
Explaining when mentally unfit government employees may be dropped from the rolls, and why such separation is non-disciplinary.
Unexcused Absence: Supreme Court Upholds Dismissal for Employees Absent Without Leave
The Supreme Court drops a court employee from the rolls for AWOL, explaining the rules on absences without approved leave in government service.
AWOL in Government Service: Supreme Court Upholds Dropping Employee From Rolls
Learn when Philippine government employees may be dropped from the rolls for AWOL, based on a 2018 Supreme Court ruling.
Project Employment vs Regular Employment: Security of Tenure in Construction
The Supreme Court clarifies when construction workers are project employees, not regular employees, and their rights to wages and benefits.