Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila
THIRD DIVISION
G.R. No. 204076 December 4, 2013
JEBSENS MARITIME, INC., ESTANISLAO SANTIAGO, and/or HAPAG-LLOYD AKTIENGESELL SCHAFT, Petitioners,
vs.
ELENO A. BABOL, Respondent.
D E C I S I O N
MENDOZA, J.:
This is a petition for review on certiorari under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court assailing the May 15, 2012 Decision1 of the Court of Appeals (CA).
In CA-G.R. SP No. 114966 and its October 8, 2012 Resolution,2 which affirmed the October 27, 2009 Decision3 of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) and the May 7, 2008 Decision4 of the Labor Arbiter (LA), granting permanent and total disability benefits to Eleno A. Babol (respondent).
(1) Diet – salt cured fish;
(2) Viral agents – Esptein Barr Virus (EBV); and
(3) Genetic susceptibility – H2 locus antigens, Singapore Antigen BW46 and B17 Antigen.
Despite having received an expensive company-sponsored treatment, respondent still demanded the payment of disability benefits from the petitioners. His demand being unheeded, respondent filed a claim before the LA, docketed as NLRC NCR OFW Case No. (M) 01-00452-08, for the payment disability benefits, sickness allowance and medical reimbursement.
The petitioners opposed the work-relation argument of respondent in light of a contrary finding made by the company-designated oncologist that NPC was caused by genetic factors; and that full and expensive medical assistance had been generously extended, on top of the medical attention provided to respondent.
The Labor Arbiter’s Decision
On May 7, 2008, the LA rendered a decision awarding respondent the sum of US$60,000.00 as total disability benefits plus 10% thereof as attorney’s fees. It ruled that there existed a causal relationship between respondent’s cancer and his diet on board the vessel; and that the petitioners failed to overcome the presumption of the work-relatedness of repondent’s disease. The LA disposed as follows:
WHEREFORE, all foregoing premises considered, judgment is hereby rendered finding complainant ELENO A. BABOL to have suffered work-related illness resulting to [sic] his total permanent disability and thus ordering respondents ABOITIZ JEBSENS MARITIME INC., HAPAG-LLOYD AKTIENGESELL SCHAFT and ESTANISLAO SANTIAGO to jointly and severally pay him the amount of US$60,000.00 plus Ten Percent (10%) thereof as Attorney’s Fee or in the total amount of US$66,000.00 or its Philippine Peso equivalent at the time of actual payment.
All other claims are dismissed for lack or merit.
SO OREDERED.5
The NLRC Ruling
On appeal, the NLRC, in its October 27, 2009 Decision, affirmed the LA ruling but deleted the award for attorney’s fees. It held that the petitioners failed to substantially disprove the disputable presumption of work-relation under the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Standard Employment Contract (POEA-SEC). It fuirther noted that respondent, being a seafarer, had no choice but to eat the food prepared by the kitchen staff and correlatively his diet was limited to salt-cured foods such as salted fish, dried meat, salted egg, frozen meat, and other preserved goods, all of which allegedly increased the risk of contracting NPC. The dispositive portion of its decision reads:
WHEREFOREm the Decision of the Labor Arbiter is AFFIRMED with MODIFICATION in that the award of attorney’s fees is DELETED.
SO ORDERED.6
Both parties moved for reconsideration. On March 26, 2010, the NLRC issued a resolution7 denying it.
Via a petition for certiorari under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court filed before the CA, the petitioners argued that the NLRC committed grave abuse of discretion in ruling for repondent.
The CA’s Decision
On May 15, 2012, the CA dismissed the petition. Echoing the findings of the NLRC and the LA, it held the nature and circumstances of respondent’s work caused his illness or at least aggravated any pre-existing condition he might have, hence compensable.8 It gave weight to the findings of the NLRC and the LA that the risk factors as relayed by the company-designated physician were attendant in respondent’s case, such as: (1) his diet while on board which has high in salt-cured fish and prerserved foods; (2) and his exposure to toxic materials, smoke, and diesel fumes while working for the petitioners in various capacities for almost two decades. Having found a link between respondent’s working conditions and the disease, it concluded that the claims deserved merit in accordance with this Court’s ruling in Magsaysay Maritime Corporation v. National Labor Relations Commission9 where it was recognized as sufficient, in order to successfully claim the benefits under the contract, that the work has been proven as contributory, even in a small degree, to the development of worker’s disease.
Unfazed with the adverse ruling, the petitioners moved for said motion for reconsideration. In its resolution, dated October 8, 2012, the CA denied the said motion for reconsideration.
Hence, this petition.
ISSUES
A. Whether or not the Court of Appeals gravely erred in ruling that respondent’s condition, Nasopharyngeal Cancre, is work-related.
B. Whether or not the Court of Appeals gravely erred in considering respondent’s supposed prior employments with petitioners as relevant in determining entitlement to disability benefits.
C. Whether or not the Court of Appeals gravely erred in ruling that petitioners failed to present substantial evidence that respondent’s condition is not work-related.10
According to the petitioners, the CA blindly adopted NLRC’s conclusion that the risk factors could be attributed, even in a lesser degree, to respondent’s working conditions on board the petitioners’ vessel; and that the said risks, especially the alleged dietary cause involving salt-cured fish, were not sufficiently proven by respondent, being the party tasked with the burden of proof. To bolster their case, the petitioners reiteratetheir submission of evidence showing that the dietary factors could not have been true as varied and fresh provisions were available for the seafarer’s consumption.
Moreover, they claim that the CA erred in adopting the concept of work-aggravation because the POEA-SEC does not recognize it; and that repondent’s prior employment history with the petitioners should not have been considered since only the period specified in the contract could be used as basis for compensability claims under the POEA-SEC.
In sum, the petitioners are of the position that no connection whatsoever between respondent’s work and the cancer was sufficiently established.
Respondent’s Position
In his Comment,11 respondent submits tha the CA was correct in awarding him permanent disability benefits considering that this conclusion was substantially supported by facts and evidence on record; that the "likely not work-related" assessment by Dr. Co Peña did not preclude the finding that the cancer was attributable to work because it merely presupposed probability and not certainty; that the dietary risk factor for the development of his cancer was sufficiently established since it was common knowledge that seamen were not at liberty to prepare their own food to suit specific health needs; and that his diet was proven as limited only to or at least involved existing salt-cured supplies. By these submissions, respondent avers that a reasonable connection has been ascertained to probe his entitlement to the claims prayed for.
The Court’s Ruling
The well-entered rule in this jurisdiction is that only questions of law may be entertained by this Court in a petition for review on certiorari under Rule 45. This rule, however, is not absolute and admits certain exceptions, such as when the petitioner persuasively alleges that there is insufficient or insubstantial evidence on record to support the factual findings of the tribunal or court a quo,12 as Section 5, Rule 133 of the Rules of Court states in express terms that in cases filed before administrative or quasi-judicial bodies, a fact may be deemed established only if supported by substantial evidence.13
Here, the petitioners question the conclusion that the disease subject of this petition is a work-related illness or at least aggravated by the working conditions onboard the vessel. They argue that respondent failed to present substantial evidence in support of his claims for compensability.
The Court is not persuaded.
The Principle of Work-relation
The 2000 POEA-SEC contract governs the claims for disability benefits by respondent as he was employed buy the petitioners in September of 2006.
Pursuant to the said contract, the injury or illness must be work related and must have existed during the term of the seafarer’s employment in order for compensability to arise.14 Work-relation must, therefore, be established.
As a general rule, the principle of work-relation requires that the disease in question must be one of those listed as an occupational disease under Sec. 32-A of the POEA-SEC. Nevertheless, should it be not classified as occupational in nature, Section 20 (B) paragraph 4 of the POEA-SEC15 provides that such diseases are disputed are disputably presumed as work-related.
In this case, it is undisputed that NPC afflicted respondent while on board the petitioners’ vessel. As a non-occupational disease, it has the disputable presumption of being work-related. This presumption obviously works in the sefarer’s favor.16 Hence, unless contrary evidence is presented by the employers, the work-relatedness of the disease must be sustained.17
In this wise, the petitioners, as employers, failed to disproved the presumption of NPC’s work-relatedness.1âwphi1 They primarily relied on the medical report issued by Dr. Co Peña. The report, however, failed to make a categorical statemnt confirming the total absence of work relation. Thus:
Dear Dr. Lim,
This is with regards [sic] to Mr. Eleno Babol, 45 y/o male, diagnosed case of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; S/P Incisional Biopsy of Left Neck Mass on April 2, 2007. Risk factors include:
Diet – salt cured fish
Viral agents – Epstein Barr Virus (EBV)
Genetic Susceptibility – H2 locus antigens, Singapore Antigen BW46 and B17 Antigen.
His condition is likely not work-related.
(Underscoring supplied)
Black’s Law Dictionary defines likely as "probable"18 and likelihood as "probability."19 The use of the word likely indicates a hesitant and an uncertain tone in the stated medical opinion and does not foreclose the possibility that respondent’s NPC could be work-related. In other words, as the doctor opined only a probability, there was no certainty that his condition was not work related.
There being no certatinty, the Court will lean infavor of the seafarer consisternt with the mandate of POEA-SEC to secure the best terms and conditions of employment for Filipino workers. 20 Hence the presumption of NPC’s work-relatedness stays.
The Principle of Work-aggravation
Assuming for the sake of argument that the preseumption of work-relation was refuted by petitioners, compensability may still be established on the basis of the theory of work aggravation if, by substantial evidence, 21 it can be demonstrated that the working conditions aggravated or at least contributed in the advancement of respondent’s cancer.22 As held in Rosario v. Denklav Marine,23 "the burden is on the beneficiaries to show a reasonable connection between the causative circumstances in the employment of the deceased employee and his death or permanent total disability."
To determine if indeed respondent sufficiently established the link between his cancer and the working conditions on board MV Glasgow Express understanding the disease is utmost importance.
Respondent’s cancer is by far, the most common malignant tumor of the nasopharynx.24 Risk factors for this cancer, as derived from the position paper field by the petitioners and consistent with many medical literatyures25 on the matter, include (1) salt-cured foods; (2) preserved meats, (3) Epstein-Barr virus, and (4) family history.26 In every detail, it is clear that the dietary factor plays a vital role in increasing the risk of acquiring the disease. For medical purposes salt-cured fish and preserved meat can, thus, be considered as high risk food that can contribute in the growth of this type of cancer.
Respondent is of the theory that such high risk dietary factor persisted on board the vessel, thus, increasing the probability that the disease was aggravated by his working conditions:
…On the food he took while on board, Complainant is exposed to the risk of contracting his illness. The Supreme Court has taken judicial notice of the fact that seamen are required to stay on board their vessel by the very nature of their duties. It is also of common knowledge that while on board, seamen have no choice but to eat the food prepared by the kitchen staff of the vessel. They are also not at liberty to prepared/cook their own food to suit their health needs. Their day-to-day "diet" therefore depends on the kind of food served on the vessel for the consumption of the entire crew. Thus, the long voyage on the high seas, the vessel’s menu is limited to slat-cured foods (such as salted fish, dried fish, anchovies, dreied meat, salted eggs, etc.) frozen meat, processed meat, canned goods, and other preserved risk of contracting nasopharyngeal cancer.
Complainant had no other alternative or option but to eat whatever is served at the mess hall, and considering further that his "diet" or sustenance while on board the vessel had presumably contributed to, if not caused by, his present health condition, there is good reason to conclude that his ailment or affliction is work related or, otherwise stated, reasonably connected/aggravated by his work.27
The above assertions of respondent do not constitute as substantial evidence that a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support the conclusion that there is a causal relationship between his illness and the working conditions on board the petitioners’ vessel. Although the Court has recognized as sufficient that work conditions are proven to have contributed even to a small degree,28 such must, however, be reasonable, and anchored on credible information.29 The claimant must thereore, prove a convincing proposition other that by his mere allegations.30 This he failed to do.
The Court refuses to take judicial notice of said assertions on the basis of an allegation of mere common knowledge. This is in light of the changing global landscape affecting international maritime labor practices. The Court notes the acceptance albeit steadily, of the minimum standards governing food and catering on board ocean-going vessels as provided in the 2006 Maritime Labor Convention of which the Philippines31 and MV Glasgow’s flag country Germany32 have signed, to wit:
(a) food and drinking water supplies, having regard to the number of seafarers on board, their religious requirements and cultural practices as they pertain to food, and the duration and nature of the voyage, shall be suitable in respect of quantity, nutritional value, quality and variety;
(b) the organization and equipment of the catering department shall be such as to permit the provision to the seafarers of adequate, varied and nutritious meals prepared and served in hygienic conditions; and
(c) catering staff shall be properly trained or instructed for their positions.33
Although not yet fully implemented, this International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention merely underscores that food on board an ocean-going vessel may not necessarily be limited as alleged by respondent. In this respect, the petitions submitted documents34 showing that fresh and varied provisions were provided on board. Respondent, on the other hand, countered that even if there were such provisions, salt0cured fish and diet such as bagoong dilis, bagoong alamang, anchovies, etc.35 were still included as victuals. The Court treats both submissions as equal in their respects and, thus, cannot be the sole determinant of whether respondent is entitled to his claims.
The State of Permament Total Disability
Based on the foregoing, both parties failed to discharge their respective burdens to prove the non-work-relatedness of the disease for the petitioners (theory of work-relation) and the substantiation of claims for respondent (theory of work-aggravation). With this, the Court is confronted with the question as to whom it should rule in favor then.
In ECC v. Sanico,36 GSIS v. CA37 and Bejerano v. ECC,38 the Court held that disability should be understood not more on its medical significance, but on the loss of earning capacity. Permanent total disability means disablement of an employee to earn wages in the same kind of work or work of similar nature that he was trained for or accustomed to perform, or any kind of work which a person of his mentality and attainment could do. It does not mean absolute helplessness. Evidence of this condition can be found in a certification of fitness/unfitness to work issued by the company-designated physician.
In this case, records reveal that the medical report issued by the company-designated oncologist was bereft of any certification that respondent remained fit to work as a seafarer despite his cancer. This is important since the certification is the document that contains the assessment of his disability which can be questioned in case of disagreement as provided for under Section 20(B)(3). Of the POEA-SEC.39
In the absence of any certification, the law presumes that the employee remains in a state of temporary disability. Should no certification be issued within the 240 day maximum period, 40 as in this case, the pertinent disability becomes permanent in nature.
Considering that respondent has suffered for more than the maximum period of 240 days in light of the uncompleted process of evaluation, and the fact that he has been certified to work again or otherwise, the Court affirms his entitlement to the permanent total disability benefits awarded him by the CA, the NLRC and the LA.
In the same way that the seafarer has duty to faithfully comply with and observer the terms and conditions of the POEA-SEC, including the provisions governing the procedure for claiming disbility benefit,41 the employer also has the duty to provide proof that the procedures were also complied with, including the issuance of the fit/unfit to work certification. Failure to do so has the duty to provide proof that the procedures were also complied with, including the issuance of the fit/unfit to work certification. Failure to do so will necessarily cast doubt on the true nature of the seafarer’s condition.
When such doubts exist, the scales of justice must tilt in his favor.
WHEREFORE, the petition is DENIED.
SO ORDERED.
JOSE CATRAL MENDOZA
Associate Justice
WE CONCUR:
PRESBITERO J. VELASCO, JR.
Associate Justice
Chairperson
DIOSDADO M. PERALTA
Associate Justice |
ROBERTO A. ABAD
Associate Justice |
MARVIC MARIO VICTOR F. LEONEN
Associate Justice
A T T E S T A T I O N
I attest that the conclusions in the above Decision had been reached in consultation before the case was assigned to the writer of the opinion of the Court’s Division.
PRESBITERO J. VELASO, JR.
Associate Justice
Chairperson, Third Division
C E R T I F I C A T I O N
Pursuant to Section 13, Article VIII of the Constitution and the Division Chairperson’s Attestation, I certify that the conclusions in the above Decision had been reached in consultation before the case was assigned to the writer of the opinion of the Court’s Division.
MARIA LOURDES P.A. SERENO
Chief Justice
Footnotes
1 Rollo, pp. 29-33. Penned by Associate Justice Manuel M. Barrios, with Associate Justice Juan Q. Enriquez, Jr. and Associate Justice Apolinario D. Bruselas, Jr., concurring.
2 Id. at 37-38.
3 Id. at 205-211.
4 Id. at 141-149. Penned by Labor Arbiter Napoleon M. Menese.
5 Id. at 149
6 Id. at 210.
7 Id. at 286.
8 Id. at 34.
9 G.R. No. 186180, March 22, 2010, 616 SCRA 362.
10 Id. at 11
11 Id. at 452.
12 Cootauco v. MMS Phil. Maritime Services, Inc., G.R. No. 184722. March 15, 2010, 615 SCRA 529, 541-542.
13 Cabuyoc v. Inter-Orient Navigation Shipmanagement, Inc., 537 Phil. 897, 911-912 (2006).
14 Magsaysay Maritime Services and Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. V. Earlwin Meinrad Antero F. Laurer. G.R. No. 195518, March 20, 2013, 694 SCRA 225, citing Jebsens Maritime Inc., v. Undag G.R. No. 191491, December 14, 2011, 662 SCRA 670, 677.
15 Those illness not listed in Section 32 of this Contract are disputably presumed as work related.
16 Jessie V. David v. OSG Shipmanagement Manila, Inc. and/or Michaelmar Shipping Services, G.R. No. 197205, September 26, 2012, 682 SCRA 103, 112.
17 Fil-Star Maritime Corporation v. Rosete, G.R. No. 192686, November 23, 2011, 661 SCRA 247, 255.
18 Fifth Edition, p. 534.
19 Id.
20 EO 247. Sec. 3(i).
21 As held in Reyes v. Employees’ Compensation Commission, et al., G.R. No. 93003. March 3, 1992. 206 SCRA 726, 732; citing Magistrado v. Employees’ Compensation Commission, et al., G.R. 62641, 30. June 30, 1989, 174 SCRA 605, substantial evidence means such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.
22 Government Service Insurance System v. Emmanuel P. Cunbtapay, 576 Phil, 482, 492 (2008)
23 Resolution, G.R. No. 166906, March 16, 2005.
24 http://www.cancer.org/acts/groups/cid/documents/webcontetnt/003124-pdf.pdf.
25 http://www.webmd.com/cancer/nasopharyngeal-cancer; and http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertypes/Headneck/Typesof headneckcancers/Nasopharynx.aspx.
26 Rollo, pp.146-147.
27 Id. at 146.
28 Government Service Insurance System v. Jean E. Raoet, G.R. No. 157038 December 23, 2009, 609 SCRA 520.
29 Government Service Insurance System v. Emmanuel P. Catapay, G.R. No. 168862, April 30, 2008, 553 SCRA 520.
30 Riño v. Employees’ Compensation Commission et. al. Phil. 612 620 (2000); citing Kirit, Sr. v. Government Service Insurance System G.R. No. 48580, July 6, 1990, 187 SCRA 224.
31 Based on the ILO Website, the MLC 2006 has entered into force in the Philippines http://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:80001:0
32 Based on the ILO Website, the MLC 2006 will enter into force in Germany on August 14, 2016 http://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:80001:0
33 Standard A3.2, Regulation 3.1, Title 3 of the 2006 Maritime Labor Convention. http://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:91:0::::₱91_SECTION:MLC_A3
34 Rollo, pp. 233-281.
35 Id. at 469.
36 378 Phil. 900 (1999).
37 349 Phil. 357 (1998).
38 G.R. No. 84777, January 20, 1992, 205 SCRA 598.
39 If a doctor appointed by the seafarer disagrees with the assessment, a third doctor may be agreed jointly between he employer and the seafarer. The third doctor’s decision shall be final and binding on both parties.
40 Rule X. Section 2 of the Rules and Regualtions Implementing Book IV of the Labor Code provides:
SEC. 2. Period of entitlement. – (a) The income benefit shall be paid beginning on the first day such disability. If caused by an injury or sickness it shall not paid longer than 120 consecutive days except where such injury or sickness still requires medical attendance beyond 120 days but not ro exceed 240 days from onset of disability in which case benefit for temporary total disability shall be paid. However, the System may declare the total and permanent status at any time after 120 days of continuous temporary total disability as may be warranted by the degree of actual loss or impairment of physical or mental functions as determined by the System.
41 Pacific Ocean Manning Inc., and Celtic Pacific Ship Management Co., Ltd. V. Benjamin D. Penales. G.R. No. 162809. September 2, 2012, 680 SCRA 95.
The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation
