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.
COA’s Limited Role in Enforcing Final Court Judgments on Government Liabilities
The Supreme Court clarifies that COA cannot determine funding sources for final judgments, ensuring government obligations are honored without delay.
Forged Payrolls and Denied Rights: Protecting Overseas Workers From Wage Theft
The Supreme Court reinstates wage claims of OFWs against a recruitment agency, ruling that forged payrolls cannot defeat workers' right to just compensation.
Overtime Rights Security Guard DTRs As Proof Of Extra Hours
Security guards can prove overtime work through DTRs countersigned by the client. A 2024 Supreme Court ruling explains the rules.
Floating Status in Philippine Labor Law: When Suspension Becomes Illegal Dismissal
Learn when an employee's floating status becomes illegal dismissal under Philippine law, based on a 2024 Supreme Court ruling.
Minimum Wage Compliance: Employers Bear the Burden of Proof in Labor Disputes
Employers must prove wage payments in labor disputes. Learn how the Supreme Court applied this rule in a delivery helper's underpayment case.
Cabug-os v. Espina: Balancing Employee Rights and Micro-Business Realities
The Supreme Court ruled that illegal dismissal awards against sari-sari stores must be equitable, considering the BMBE status and actual salaries of micro-enterprises.
Voluntary Arbitrator Appeals: The 15-Day Rule After Reconsideration
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the appeal period for voluntary arbitrator decisions—15 days after denial of reconsideration, not 10.
Mastering the Appeal Period: How to Navigate Voluntary Arbitrator Decisions in the Philippines
Learn the correct appeal period for voluntary arbitrator decisions in the Philippines, clarified by the Supreme Court in DORELCO Employees Union v. DORELCO.
Determining Employee Status: The Fine Line Between Employment and Partnership in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when workers are employees, not partners, and the legal consequences for dismissal in the Philippines.
Illegal Dismissal and Wage Claims: Lessons from Lusabia v. Super K Drug Corporation
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies abandonment of employment, the employer's burden of proof in wage disputes, and remedies for illegally dismissed workers.
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.
Demotion Reversal: Salary Differentials Despite Retrenchment and Retirement
Philippine Airlines v. Bichara clarifies that a final judgment on illegal demotion entitles an employee to salary differentials, even after retrenchment and retirement.
Finality vs Justice: Reconciling Immutability of Judgments With Equitable Labor Standards
The Supreme Court clarifies when a final judgment can be reconsidered, balancing the doctrine of immutability with the rights of illegally dismissed employees.
Indirect Employers' Solidary Liability: Protecting Workers' Monetary Claims Under the Labor Code
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling on indirect employers' solidary liability for workers' wages, 13th month pay, and other monetary benefits.
Solidary Liability of Recruitment Agencies: Protecting Overseas Workers' Right to Fair Compensation
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on recruitment agencies' solidary liability for overseas workers' unpaid wages and the prescriptive period for money claims.
Burden of Proof in Labor Cases: Supreme Court Upholds Employee Rights in Wage Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies that employers bear the burden of proof in labor standards cases, protecting workers' claims for unpaid wages.
Successor Liability in Philippine Labor Law: When Is a Company Responsible for Another's Debts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a company becomes liable for another firm's labor debts under successor liability rules.
Regular vs Seasonal Employment: Rights of Sugar Plantation Workers
Supreme Court clarifies when seasonal sugar workers become regular employees entitled to security of tenure and full labor rights.
Finality of Factual Findings in Labor Cases: The Burden of Proving Payment
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on finality of NLRC factual findings and the employer's burden to prove payment of wages in labor disputes.
Business Closure and Employee Rights: Employer Obligations in Termination
Understand employer obligations when closing a business in the Philippines, including notice requirements, separation pay, and when dismissal is valid.
Retroactive Application of Procedural Rules: Timely Filing of Certiorari Petitions in Labor Disputes
Learn how the Supreme Court applied A.M. No. 00-2-03-SC retroactively, allowing a late certiorari petition in a labor case to proceed.
Illegal Dismissal in the Philippines: Understanding Your Right to Back Wages
The Supreme Court clarifies when private school teachers gain permanent status, what constitutes illegal dismissal, and how back wages are computed.
Transferee Recruitment Agency Liability: Protecting Overseas Workers
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a transferee recruitment agency can be held liable for illegal dismissal of an overseas worker.
Wage Distortion in the Philippines: Employee Rights and Employer Obligations
Understand wage distortion under Philippine law, how it arises, and the rights and obligations of employees and employers.