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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Employer Interference and Unfair Labor Practices: The SCIPSI Ruling on Union Dues
When an employer withholds union dues under a CBA check-off, it is unfair labor practice—not an intra-union dispute—vesting jurisdiction in the Labor Arbiter.
Breach of Contract: When a Perfected Employment Contract Binds the Employer Even Without Deployment
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that a perfected employment contract creates employer-employee relations even if deployment never happens, and labor arbiters have jurisdiction over resulting claims.
Currency Conversion in Labor Disputes: Keeping Awards Fair When Currencies Change
When a foreign currency is demonetized, can a labor arbiter convert a final award to its replacement? The Supreme Court says yes.
Overseas Workers' Money Claims: Labor Arbiter Jurisdiction and Agency Solidary Liability
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies Labor Arbiter jurisdiction over overseas workers' illegal dismissal claims and recruitment agencies' solidary liability.
Corporate Officer Status and Jurisdiction in Illegal Dismissal Cases: North Star v. Balagtas
When is a dismissed executive a corporate officer whose case belongs to regular courts, not the Labor Arbiter? The Supreme Court clarifies.
Due Process Prevails: Cross-Examination Rights and the Consequences of Missed Notice
A Supreme Court ruling on why a labor arbiter cannot hold non-parties liable in an execution writ without due process and jurisdiction.
Reinstatement Rights Employers Duty to Reinstate Despite Appeal
Labor Arbiter reinstatement orders are immediately executory. Employers must reinstate or pay wages even while appealing.
Reinstatement Salaries After Business Closure: Employer Liability Rules
When a company validly closes, can workers still claim reinstatement salaries from a reversed Labor Arbiter ruling? The Supreme Court explains.
Disbarment for Gross Misconduct: When a Labor Arbiter Delays Justice
A labor arbiter's two-year delay in acting on a motion for execution and refusal to amend a writ led to his disbarment for gross misconduct and gross ignorance of the law.
Final and Executory Labor Decisions Cannot Be Reopened on Grounds of Counsel Negligence
Supreme Court rules final labor arbiter decisions stand despite counsel negligence, explaining appeal bond rules and finality of judgments.
When an Employee's Damage Claim Belongs in Regular Courts, Not Labor Tribunals
The Supreme Court clarifies when an employee's claim for damages based on quasi-delict falls under regular court jurisdiction, not the Labor Arbiter.
Employer Claims Against Employee for SSS Contributions: Labor Arbiter Jurisdiction
Supreme Court rules employer's claim for reimbursement of SSS contributions and damages against employee falls under Labor Arbiter jurisdiction.
Perfecting Appeals in Labor Disputes: The Mandatory Bond Requirement
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that an employer's appeal in labor cases with monetary awards requires a mandatory bond, or the Labor Arbiter's decision becomes final.
Untimely Appeal: The Employer’s Burden to Perfect Appeals in Labor Disputes
When an employer misses the 10-day appeal period or posts the bond late, the Labor Arbiter’s decision becomes final and binding.
Finality vs Fairness: How Illegal Dismissal Awards Are Computed Up to Final Judgment
The Supreme Court clarifies that backwages and separation pay in illegal dismissal cases are computed up to finality of judgment, not just the labor arbiter's decision date.
Solicitation and Impropriety: Disbarment for Lawyers Violating Professional Ethics
A labor arbiter who solicited money from a litigant and distorted a final ruling was disbarred for gross misconduct and immorality.
CBA Interpretation Voluntary Arbitration Prevails In Seafarer Death Benefit Claims
Supreme Court rules voluntary arbitrators, not labor arbiters, hear CBA interpretation disputes involving seafarer death benefits.
Voluntary Arbitration vs. Labor Arbiter: Philippine Labor Dispute Jurisdiction
When does voluntary arbitration prevail over Labor Arbiter jurisdiction? The Supreme Court clarifies in University of the Immaculate Conception v. NLRC.
Corporate Officer vs Employee: Who Hears Illegal Dismissal Cases?
When a dismissed executive is a corporate officer, the RTC hears the case; if a regular employee, the Labor Arbiter. This ruling explains the test.
Corporate Officer vs Employee: Who Hears Illegal Dismissal Cases?
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when an illegal dismissal case belongs to the Labor Arbiter versus the Regional Trial Court.
Reinstatement Pending Appeal: When a Reversed Labor Arbiter Ruling Still Means No Refund
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on reinstatement pending appeal, payroll reinstatement, and when reversed labor arbiter decisions require no salary refund.
Reinstatement Pending Appeal Employees Right TO Wages Despite Subsequent Reversal
When a labor arbiter orders reinstatement pending appeal, the employee is entitled to wages even if the decision is later reversed on appeal.
When Government Corporations Are Not Employers: The LRTA Case on Labor Jurisdiction
The Supreme Court clarifies when government-owned corporations with original charters fall outside labor arbiter jurisdiction, using the LRTA-METRO case.
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.