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.
Illegally Dismissed? Your Rights and Remedies Under Philippine Labor Law
Know your rights if illegally dismissed in the Philippines: reinstatement, full backwages, and how to file a labor complaint.
DOLE SEnA Filing Procedure Philippines: A Step-by-Step Guide
Learn the DOLE SEnA filing procedure in the Philippines—how to file a labor complaint through the Single Entry Approach and get free mediation.
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.
SSS Erroneous Contributions and the Principle of Estoppel: A Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
Explore the Supreme Court's ruling on erroneous SSS contributions, estoppel against government agencies, and employee membership validity.
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.
Union Registration Misrepresentation and Managerial Employees: Key SC Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies when misrepresentation can cancel a union's registration and how managerial employee status affects labor union rights.
Union Members' Right to Due Process in Suspension and Expulsion Cases
Supreme Court rules union officers liable for unfair labor practices when they ignore members' appeals from suspension and expulsion.
Union Officers' Failure to Act on Member's Appeal Is Unfair Labor Practice
Supreme Court rules union officers who ignore a member's appeal commit unfair labor practice violating the right to self-organization.
Dividing Labor When Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff Form Unions
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on bargaining units when teaching and non-teaching personnel join one union.
Simplified Union Registration in the Philippines: Understanding DOLE Department Order 40-03
The Supreme Court upheld DOLE Department Order 40-03, confirming simplified registration rules for local chapters of labor federations.
Defining Rank-and-File Union Membership Eligibility in the Philippines
A 2010 Supreme Court ruling clarifies when employees are confidential and excluded from rank-and-file bargaining units, and what constitutes unfair labor practice.
Probationary Employees Can Vote in Certification Elections: Key SC Ruling
Supreme Court clarifies probationary employees' voting rights in certification elections, ordering a run-off after votes were wrongly excluded.
Upholding Workers Rights Illegal Dismissal AND THE Limits OF Corporate Discretion IN Labor Disputes
Supreme Court affirms illegal dismissal ruling against Purefoods for union busting, clarifies corporate procedural rules in labor disputes.
Defining Confidential Employees: Balancing Labor Rights and Management Prerogatives in Collective Bargaining
Supreme Court ruling on confidential employees in bargaining units and acting capacity pay, balancing labor rights with management prerogatives.
Certiorari vs Appeal: Choosing the Right Path for Legal Review in the Philippines
Learn when to file a petition for certiorari versus an appeal under Rule 45, explained through a Philippine Supreme Court labor case.
Union Rights vs Managerial Prerogatives: Defining Supervisory Roles in Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies who counts as a supervisory employee eligible to join a union, and the proper remedy for appealing labor decisions.
When Strikes Become Illegal: Collective Bargaining Rights and Union Representation in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when strikes are illegal, who can be dismissed, and the rules on backwages for union members.
Illegal Strikes: Balancing Worker Rights and Employer Interests in Termination Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when union officers and members may be dismissed for illegal strikes, and what due process requires.
When Retirement Is Not Voluntary: Illegal Dismissal and Security of Tenure in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when an employee's "retirement" is actually illegal dismissal, protecting security of tenure.
Union Registration Validity and Challenges in Philippine Labor Context
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a registered union's legal personality cannot be collaterally attacked in certification election cases.
Dismissed for Delay? Understanding Due Diligence in Philippine Court Cases
Learn how the Supreme Court handles procedural delays and due diligence in labor cases, using a recent illegal dismissal ruling as a guide.
Union Officer Elections Must Follow Union Constitution and Bylaws: USTFU Case
Supreme Court rules union officer elections must follow the union's constitution and bylaws, not general faculty assemblies.
Illegal Dismissal and Early Retirement: Protecting Employees from Unjust Termination
The Supreme Court clarifies when a demotion becomes illegal dismissal and the rules on optional retirement under Philippine labor law.
Managerial vs. Supervisory Employees: Unionization Rights Under Philippine Labor Law
Learn how Philippine law distinguishes managerial from supervisory employees and why misclassification can block unionization rights.