Title
Luis S. Afable and Bonifacio Dy vs. Antonia Leonardo Vda. de Loyola, for herself and as guardian for Felicidad, Rodolfo, Leticia and Edilberto Loyola, et al.
Case
G.R. No. L-7789
Decision Date
May 27, 1955
A mechanic's death while repairing a truck used for employer's operations was ruled compensable, as the task was within his employment scope.
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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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.


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