Banez v. Iolcos Maritime Agencies Far East, Inc.
This is a civil case decided by the Supreme Court of the Philippines in April 2, 2018. The case is between George A. Banez and Iolcos Maritime Agencies Far East, Inc., and/or Iolcos Hellenic Maritime Ent. Co., Ltd., et al. The issue in this case is whether the petitioner is entitled to permanent disability benefits for the nephrolithiasis condition he endured during his employment with the respondents. The Supreme Court denied the petition for review on certiorari filed by the petitioner for failure to sufficiently show that the Court of Appeals committed any reversible error in its decision. The Court reiterated that bare reliance on the presumption afforded by Section 20 (B) (4) of the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency-Security Employment Contract cannot be countenanced absent proof to support the same. The findings of fact of quasi-judicial bodies like the National Labor Relations Commission are accorded with respect, even finality, if supported by substantial evidence. When further passed upon and upheld by the Court of Appeals, they are binding and conclusive upon the Supreme Court and will not normally be disturbed.
ADVERTISEMENT
FIRST DIVISION
[G.R. No. 232588. April 2, 2018.]
GEORGE A. BANEZ, petitioner,vs. IOLCOS MARITIME AGENCIES FAR EAST, INC., AND/OR IOLCOS HELLENIC MARITIME ENT. CO., LTD., ET AL., respondents.
NOTICE
Sirs/Mesdames :
Please take notice that the Court, First Division, issued a Resolution datedApril 2, 2018which reads as follows: HCaDIS
"G.R. No. 232588 (George A. Banez v. Iolcos Maritime Agencies Far East, Inc., and/or Iolcos Hellenic Maritime Ent. Co., Ltd., et al.). — The petitioner's motion for an extension of thirty (30) days within which to file a petition for review on certiorari is GRANTED, counted from the expiration of the reglementary period.
After review of the records, the Court resolves to DENY the petition for failure to sufficiently show that the Court of Appeals committed any reversible error in its assailed Decision. Said Decision found that petitioner was not entitled to permanent disability benefits for failure to substantiate the work-relatedness of the nephrolithiasis condition he endured and his work throughout the duration of his employment contract with herein private respondents. Our jurisprudence is replete with rulings which reiterate that bare reliance on the refutable presumption afforded by Section 20 (B) (4) of the 2000 Philippine Overseas Employment Agency-Security Employment Contract cannot be countenanced absent proof to support the same. Anent the other issues raised, elementary is the principle that this Court is not a trier of facts, and only errors of law are generally reviewed in petitions for review on certiorari of decisions of the Court of Appeals. In labor cases, this doctrine applies with even greater force, 1 where factual questions are for labor tribunals to resolve. 2 The findings of fact of quasi-judicial bodies like the National Labor Relations Commission are accorded with respect, even finality, if supported by substantial evidence. When further passed upon and upheld by the Court of Appeals, they are binding and conclusive upon the Supreme Court and will not normally be disturbed save for exceptional circumstances which are not obtained in this case.
WHEREFORE, premises considered, the petition is DENIED. The assailed Decision dated February 16, 2017 and Resolution dated June 28, 2017 denying the motion for reconsideration issued by the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. SP. No. 144888 are hereby AFFIRMED.
SO ORDERED." Sereno, C.J., on leave; De Castro, J., designated as Acting Chairperson of the First Division per Special Order No. 2540 dated February 28, 2018.
Very truly yours,
(SGD.) LIBRADA C. BUENADeputy Division Clerk of Court
Footnotes
1.San Juan De Dios Educational Foundation Employees Union-Alliance of Filipino Workers v. San Juan De Dios Educational Foundation, Inc., G.R. No. 143341, May 28, 2004, 430 SCRA 193, 205-206.
2.Masangcay v. Trans-Global Maritime Agency, Inc., G.R. No. 172800, October 17, 2008, 569 SCRA 592.
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