Facts:

• Milagros B. La O is the widow of Perfecto V. La O, who passed away on February 7, 1977, at the age of 55 after 28 years of government service.
• Perfecto La O began his career on July 19, 1948, as a property and accountable clerk and later became the chief of the cash division in the provincial treasurer's office.
• In August 1976, he experienced abdominal pains and was diagnosed with hepatoma, a severe form of liver cancer, which led to his hospitalization and eventual death.
• Milagros La O filed a claim for death benefits with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) on May 13, 1977.
• The GSIS denied the claim on the same day, asserting that it did not meet the conditions for compensability, despite hepatoma being recognized as an occupational disease.
• The Employees' Compensation Commission (ECC) upheld the GSIS denial on March 22, 1979, prompting Milagros La O to file a petition for review.

Issue:

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Ruling:

• The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Milagros B. La O, reversing the ECC's decision.
• The Court ordered the Provincial Government of Quezon to pay La O P6,000.00 in death benefits, reimburse her for medical and hospital expenses, and cover burial expenses of P200.00.
• The Court determined that the presumption...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The ruling was grounded in the principles of compensability and legal presumptions under the Workmen's Compensation Act, which was in effect during the decedent's illness.
• Although hepatoma was not explicitly classified as an occupational disease, it could be deemed work-related if employment conditions contributed to the employee's health decline.
• The lengthy duration of Perfecto La O's service and the gradual onset of his illne...continue reading