2L/Labor Relations/week 9

Just cause is only half the case

Philippine law asks two questions about every dismissal, and an employer can lose on either one. This is the lesson students most often answer with only half of.

Read the strip. The last panel does not answer — you do, before the rule shows up.

PANEL 1 / 4
Mark in a jeepney, reading his phone. His face falls.
HR (chat)

“Mark, effective today, tapos na ang serbisyo mo. Salamat.”

Setup — no citation yet.
PANEL 2 / 4
Mark at Atty. Clara's small office, still holding the phone.
MARK

“May dahilan naman daw sila, Atty. Tapos na ba talaga ako?”

Issue framed: cause exists, process did not.
PANEL 3 / 4
Clara draws two envelopes and a chair on a notepad.
ATTY. CLARA

“Kahit may dahilan — kailangan pa rin ng dalawang sulat at pagkakataong magpaliwanag.”

Twin-notice rule; at least five calendar days to answer.
PANEL 4 / 4
Mark looking at the reader, question mark over his head. No answer given.
CAPTION

Just cause pero walang proseso. Legal ba, illegal ba, o may kapalit?

Vote before the animation runs.

The cause was real, but there was no notice and no hearing. What follows?