G.R. No. 243399 - C.F. SHARP CREW MANAGEMENT, INC. vs. DAGANATO

Petitioners C.F. Sharp Crew Management, Inc. (CF Sharp), a domestic corporation, hired and deployed seafarers aboard vessels.
Reederei Claus-Peter Offen (GMBH & Co.) (Reederei) was the foreign principal employer owning vessel MV Vancouver Express.
Respondent Roberto B. Daganato signed a six-month Contract of Employment with CF Sharp on June 25, 2014, as Chief Cook aboard the MV Vancouver Express, with a monthly salary of USD 1,805.00.
The contract incorporated provisions of the current ITF Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Respondent was declared fit to work after pre-employment medical examination.

On December 27, 2014, respondent claimed he slipped while carrying heavy provisions on board, causing mild to moderate lower back pain.
Pain persisted and worsened, leading to medical repatriation on January 10, 2015.
Respondent underwent MRI and CT scan at Cardinal Santos Medical Center, which indicated mild L4-5 disc bulge, facet and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, and thoracolumbar spondylosis.
Physiotherapy was administered but ineffective.
Respondent underwent sinus surgery in February 2015 and spinal surgery with further physiotherapy in March 2015.
Despite treatment, respondent claimed inability to regain fitness for seafaring duties.
Dr. Manuel M. Magtira of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center examined respondent, finding permanent disability based on MRI dated July 27, 2015, and medical report of July 30, 2015.

On August 14, 2015, respondent informed CF Sharp in writing of his permanent and total disability and willingness for re-examination, which petitioners ignored.
Respondent filed a grievance with the Associated Marine Officer’s and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP) without success.
Respondent then filed a complaint for total permanent disability benefits, medical reimbursement, moral and exemplary damages, and attorney's fees before the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB).
Petitioners contested respondent’s claim for total permanent disability, arguing absence of proof of accident and that only Grade 1 disabilities under POEA Standard Employment Contract (SEC) qualify for full benefits.
The Panel of Voluntary Arbitrators (PVA) granted respondent total and permanent disability benefits equivalent to USD 121,176.00, with attorney’s fees of 10%, but dismissed other claims.

Petitioners filed motion for reconsideration with the PVA, which was denied.
Petitioners elevated the case to the Court of Appeals (CA) arguing absence of accident and incorrect application of CBA.
The CA affirmed the PVA decision but deleted the award of attorney's fees.
Petitioners filed a motion for reconsideration which the CA denied.
Petitioners filed the present petition for review on certiorari before the Supreme Court, contesting the CA’s ruling on applicability of CBA, the absence of accident, and the amount awarded.

Whether or not the Court of Appeals committed reversible error in affirming the PVA decision awarding respondent total and permanent disability benefits.