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.
SEC GIS and AFS Filing in the Philippines: A Complete Guide
Learn the SEC GIS and AFS filing requirements in the Philippines, deadlines, and penalties. A plain-language guide for corporations.
3G Frequency Allocation and the NTC's Regulatory Discretion: Lessons from Next Mobile v. NTC
The Supreme Court affirms the NTC's broad discretion in allocating 3G frequencies, clarifying the limits of judicial review over technical regulatory decisions.
Retrenchment in the Philippines: Proving Business Losses Under Article 298
Retrenchment is legal only if employers prove serious, ongoing losses. The Philphos case shows what evidence courts require.
Illegal Dismissal: Employer Liability After a Prolonged Business Suspension
When a business suspension exceeds six months, employers must validly terminate or recall workers. Learn the rules from a 2023 Supreme Court ruling.
Unlawful Termination Employer Liability FOR Extended Business Suspension AND Retrenchment Requirements
When a business suspension exceeds six months and retrenchment rules are ignored, employers face illegal dismissal liability. Learn the rules.
Redundancy and Management Prerogative: Balancing Business Needs and Employee Rights in Terminations
The Supreme Court clarifies when redundancy is a valid ground for dismissal and what employers must prove to avoid illegal dismissal claims.
Accountability Prevails Public Officials Held Civilly Liable Despite Acquittal In Illegal Funds Transfer Case
Acquittal in a criminal case does not erase civil liability. The Supreme Court explains why public officials must still answer for negligent handling of public funds.
Understanding Illegal Dismissal When Mistakes Dont Justify Firing
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when retrenchment is illegal dismissal, requiring proof of losses and fair selection criteria.
When Business Closure Is Valid: Employer Prerogative vs. Employee Security
The Supreme Court explains when a company may validly close operations and terminate employees, and how workers can challenge the closure.
Tax Evasion and Prescription: The Statute of Limitations in Philippine Tax Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when the three-year prescriptive period for tax assessment applies, and why fraud must be proven to trigger the ten-year rule.
Constructive Dismissal: When Cutting Work Hours Violates Employee Rights
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when reducing work hours becomes constructive dismissal, and what employers must prove to justify it.
Redundancy Dismissals: Strict Compliance With Labor Code Imperative
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies strict requirements for valid redundancy termination, including mandatory DOLE notice and fair selection criteria.
Understanding Documentary Stamp Tax on Trust Agreements: Insights from a Landmark Philippine Case
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when documentary stamp tax applies to trust agreements and the evidence needed for tax refund claims.
Retrenchment Validity: Balancing Employer Rights and Employee Protection in Downturns
The Supreme Court clarifies when retrenchment is valid, the role of quitclaims, and the limits of procedural due process in labor dismissals.
Retrenchment and Proof of Financial Losses: Safeguarding Employee Rights in Business Downturns
When can a company validly retrench workers? The Supreme Court clarifies the burden of proving business losses.
Redundancy, Retrenchment, and Strikes: Lessons from the Hyatt Regency Manila Case
The Supreme Court balances valid downsizing against illegal strikes, explaining redundancy, retrenchment, and quitclaims in the hotel industry.
Upholding Due Process for Workers: When Business Closure Is a Subterfuge
Business closures must be bona fide. The Supreme Court explains when a simulated shutdown becomes illegal dismissal.
Corporate Rehabilitation, Foreclosure, and Judicial Independence: Key Lessons from Rombe Eximtrade
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when courts may issue injunctions against foreclosure after a rehabilitation case is dismissed.
Gross Receipts vs. Gross Revenue: The Tax Base for Contractors in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies that local business tax on contractors is based on gross receipts, not gross revenue.
Business Closure in the Philippines: Navigating Layoffs and Employee Rights During Financial Distress
Learn the rules on business closure in the Philippines, including separation pay, notice requirements, and employee rights when a company shuts down due to losses.
Retrenchment Rules in the Philippines: Proving Losses and Fair Selection
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on retrenchment: what employers must prove to validly dismiss employees due to business losses.
Quitclaims Are They Always a Bar to Future Claims? Tagle v. Court of Appeals
Quitclaims do not automatically bar labor claims. Know when waivers are valid and when courts will set them aside.
Due Process in Retrenchment: Balancing Employer Prerogative and Employee Rights
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between just and authorized causes in dismissal, and the penalties for violating notice requirements.
Corporate Officers' Apparent Authority and Breach of Warranties in Stock Sales
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on corporate president's apparent authority to bind company and breach of warranty claims in stock purchase agreements.