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.
Corporate Housekeeping in the Philippines: A Compliance Checklist
A practical guide to corporate housekeeping in the Philippines under the Revised Corporation Code, covering filings, meetings, and records.
How to Dissolve a Corporation in the Philippines: Voluntary and Involuntary Paths
Learn how to dissolve a corporation in the Philippines under the Revised Corporation Code, including voluntary dissolution and involuntary revocation.
Removal of Corporate Officers and Directors in the Philippines: Legal Grounds and Process
Learn the legal process for removing corporate officers and directors in the Philippines under the Revised Corporation Code, including grounds and voting requirements.
Employee Misconduct and Termination: Understanding Just Cause in the Philippines
When does employee misconduct justify termination in the Philippines? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on serious misconduct and just cause.
Confiscation of Property and Due Process Rights of Third-Party Owners
When can the government confiscate a vehicle used in illegal logging? The Supreme Court clarifies the due process rights of third-party owners.
Independent Contractor or Employee? Supreme Court Clarifies Labor-Only Contracting in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when a registered contractor is actually labor-only, making the principal the direct employer.
Serious Misconduct and Illegal Dismissal: When a Petty Quarrel Isn't Grounds for Termination
The Supreme Court clarifies when a workplace fight constitutes serious misconduct justifying dismissal, and when it amounts to illegal termination.
Real Party in Interest: Who Can Sue to Nullify a Contract in the Philippines
Learn who has legal standing to file a case to nullify a contract in the Philippines, based on Supreme Court rulings on real party in interest.
Writ of Kalikasan and Environmental Permits: PTK2 H2O Corp. v. Court of Appeals
The Supreme Court affirms the writ of kalikasan, applying the precautionary principle and upholding the revocation of water permits and ECCs issued without proper environmental assessment.
Capital Reduction Rules in the Philippines: What Shareholders Should Know After Metroplex v. Sinophil
The Supreme Court clarifies the requirements for reducing corporate capital stock under Section 38 of the Corporation Code, and limits SEC review.
Recall of Appointments Without Notice and Hearing: Insights from a Landmark CSC Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when the CSC may recall a civil service appointment without prior notice and hearing, and the limits of good faith.
Procedural Pitfalls in Labor Disputes: Lessons from Mariano v. G.V. Florida Transport
A Supreme Court ruling on valid dismissal for serious misconduct but liability for procedural due process lapses, unpaid wages, and 13th month pay.
Understanding Employee Dismissal for Serious Misconduct: Insights From a Landmark Philippine Case
Learn when an employee's public statements can be valid grounds for dismissal for serious misconduct under Philippine labor law.
Due Process in Termination: Ensuring Fair Dismissal Under Philippine Labor Law
Learn the rules for valid dismissal in the Philippines—substantive and procedural due process, and what happens when employers fail to comply.
Due Process and Employee Dismissal: Balancing Just Cause With Procedural Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies that dismissal without just cause is illegal even if procedural notice was given, entitling the employee to backwages and separation pay.
Due Process and Employee Dismissal: Balancing Rights and Employer Authority in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies the twin-notice rule in dismissals and when a flawed procedure still yields a valid termination.
Preliminary Investigation Is a Substantive Right: Lessons from Palacios v. People
The Supreme Court rules that denying a reinvestigation based on procedural guidelines violates due process when the accused was never notified.
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.
Totality of Infractions: Delineating Just Cause for Termination in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when past offenses may justify dismissal under the totality of infractions principle, balancing employer prerogative and employee rights.
Procedural Due Process in Administrative Cases: When a Show Cause Memorandum Suffices
The Supreme Court clarifies when a show cause memorandum satisfies procedural due process in administrative disciplinary proceedings against government employees.
Dismissal With Just Cause Still Requires Procedural Due Process: Ortiz v. DHL
A valid dismissal needs both substantive and procedural due process. Learn the twin notice and hearing rules from Ortiz v. DHL.
Production Assessment Fees: Water Districts Must Prove Harm Before Charging Deep Well Users
Water districts can't impose production fees on deep well users without a board finding of financial harm. Here's what the Supreme Court ruled.
Due Process in Club Membership Suspensions: The Ching v. QCSC Ruling
When can a club suspend a member without a hearing? The Supreme Court clarifies due process rules in Ching v. Quezon City Sports Club.