Case Digest (G.R. No. L-7789)
Facts:
The case at hand is G.R. No. L-7789, decided on May 27, 1955, involving petitioners Luis S. Afable and Bonifacio Dy, doing business as Maloma Sawmill, against respondents Antonia Leonardo Vda. de Loyola, representing herself and her minor children, along with the Workmen's Compensation Commissioner and Juan N. Gerardo, the referee of the Workmen's Compensation Commission. The case arose from a claim for compensation filed by Antonia Leonardo for the death of her husband, Teofilo Loyola, who was employed as a mechanic at the Maloma Sawmill. The incident occurred on February 10, 1953, when Teofilo was fatally injured in an accident involving a truck owned by Dy Hian Tat, an agent of the sawmill. The truck was being used by Arsenio Rivera, who had a contract to supply logs to the sawmill. Teofilo had repaired the truck shortly before the accident, which occurred while he was riding in it on its way to the sawmill loaded with logs. The Workmen's Compensation Commissio...
Case Digest (G.R. No. L-7789)
Facts:
1. Employment and Contractual Relationships:
- Teofilo Loyola was employed by the Maloma Sawmill as a mechanic, earning an average wage of P6.00 per day based on the board feet of lumber sawn.
- Arsenio Rivera, owner of a timber concession, had an exclusive contract with the Maloma Sawmill to supply logs and timber from his concession in Norzagaray, Bulacan. The contract prohibited Rivera from selling or disposing of logs to any other sawmill during the contract period.
- Dy Hian Tat was an agent of the Maloma Sawmill, selling sawn lumber or logs on a commission basis.
2. The Accident:
- On February 10, 1953, a truck owned by Dy Hian Tat but used by Arsenio Rivera to haul logs to the Maloma Sawmill got out of control, resulting in the death of Teofilo Loyola.
- Loyola had repaired the same truck on February 5, 1953, and again on February 9, 1953, at the request of Irineo Palad, an employee of Rivera. The cost of the repair was paid by the Maloma Sawmill and charged against the cost of logs supplied by Rivera.
- Loyola was riding on the truck after the repair when the accident occurred.
3. Dependency and Claim:
- The claimants are Antonia Leonardo Vda. de Loyola, the widow of Teofilo Loyola, and her minor children, who were fully dependent on Loyola’s wages for support.
Issue:
- Whether the accident that resulted in the death of Teofilo Loyola arose out of and was in the course of his employment, making it compensable under the Workmen’s Compensation Act.
- Whether the repair of the truck by Loyola, which led to his death, was within the scope of his employment as a mechanic for the Maloma Sawmill.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Conclusion:
The Supreme Court denied the petition, affirming that Teofilo Loyola’s death was compensable under the Workmen’s Compensation Act as it arose out of and in the course of his employment. The Court emphasized the importance of a liberal interpretation of the law to ensure justice for workers and their dependents.