Case Digest (G.R. No. L-42404)
Facts:
The case involves Agripina Arzadon as the petitioner against the Workmen's Compensation Commission and the Republic of the Philippines (Bureau of Public Schools) as respondents. The events leading to the case began when Arzadon filed a Workmen's Compensation claim on March 12, 1975, with the Department of Labor, Regional Office No. 1, located in Dagupan City. Accompanying her claim, she submitted a physician's report from Dr. Abraham Gorospe, who diagnosed her with "PTB, moderately advanced." On March 26, 1975, the Acting Chief of the Workmen's Compensation Section sent a notice and the physician's report to the respondent through the Office of the Solicitor General, requiring a response within ten days. However, the respondent failed to reply. Consequently, on May 27, 1975, the Acting Chief issued a letter-award of P6,000.00 in favor of Arzadon.
On June 17, 1975, the Office of the Solicitor General filed a motion to set aside the award and el...
Case Digest (G.R. No. L-42404)
Facts:
Filing of the Claim:
- On March 12, 1975, Agripina Arzadon, a public school teacher, filed a Workmen's Compensation claim with the Department of Labor, Regional Office No. 1, Dagupan City, against the Republic of the Philippines (Bureau of Public Schools).
- She submitted a physician's report (Annex B) signed by Dr. Abraham Gorospe, diagnosing her with "PTB, moderately advanced" (pulmonary tuberculosis).
Notice to Respondent:
- On March 26, 1975, the Acting Chief of the Workmen's Compensation Section sent a notice of the claim and the physician's report to the respondent through the Office of the Solicitor General, requiring a reply within ten (10) days.
- The respondent failed to reply within the stipulated period.
Letter-Award by Regional Office:
- On May 27, 1975, the Acting Chief of Regional Office No. 1 rendered a letter-award of P6,000.00 in favor of Arzadon due to the respondent's failure to respond.
Motion to Set Aside Award:
- On June 17, 1975, the Office of the Solicitor General filed a motion to set aside the award and/or elevate the case to the Workmen's Compensation Commission.
- The motion was denied on June 24, 1975, and the case records were forwarded to the Commission.
Decision of the Workmen's Compensation Commission:
- On December 26, 1975, the Commission reversed the letter-award, citing that the respondent was not properly furnished with the notice and claim.
- The Commission also noted that the physician's report was unverified and lacked supporting evidence, such as a chest x-ray, to confirm the diagnosis of tuberculosis.
Petitioner's Employment and Illness:
- Arzadon was employed as a public school teacher with a salary of P403.70.
- She stopped working on September 24, 1974, at the age of 62, after 42.5 years of service, due to pulmonary tuberculosis.
- Her duties as a teacher, including standing for long hours and preparing lesson plans, allegedly weakened her resistance, predisposing her to tuberculosis.
Issue:
- Whether the Workmen's Compensation Commission erred in reversing the letter-award granted to Arzadon.
- Whether the unverified physician's report and lack of additional evidence (e.g., chest x-ray) justified the denial of the claim.
- Whether the respondent's failure to reply to the claim within ten (10) days constituted a waiver of its defenses.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)