Facts:

• Demetrio D. Molet, an administrative officer of the Provincial Health Office in Virac, Catanduanes, suffered from attacks of hypertension from 1953 to 1974, which caused him temporary disability from work.
• He filed a claim for compensation with the Workmen's Compensation Unit in Naga City, supported by medical reports from physicians who had treated him and the Compensation Rating Officer of the Department of Labor.
• His employer's report admitted that the sickness was contracted while in the discharge of his duties.
• The Acting Referee dismissed the claim, stating that the claimant had not suffered any physical disability from the sickness as he always returned to work after each attack.
• The claimant appealed the order to the President and furnished copies of the appeal to the Acting Referee.
• The case was then elevated to the Workmen's Compensation Commission for review, which affirmed the appealed order on the ground that it had become final and executory and that the appeal was filed in the wrong forum.

Issue:

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Ruling:

• The claim should not be dismissed on the technicality that the appeal was filed in the wrong forum since notice of the appeal was duly served upon all parties, causing no prejudice to anyone.
• The Court considered the appeal as having been timely filed and ruled on the merits.
• The Court held that the claim for compensation was meritorious because it was supported by ample documentary evidence and was not controverted by the employer.
• The Court also noted that the Workmen's Compensation Act is a social legislation designed to help the workingman, in obedience to the social justice guarantee of the Constitution.
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Ratio:

1. A claim for workmen's compensation should not be dismissed on the technicality that the appeal was filed in t...continue reading