The Constitution affirms labor as a primary social economic force.10[10] Along
this vein, the State vowed to afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, organized
and unorganized, and promote full employment and equality of employment
opportunities for all.11[11]
"The employment of seafarers, including claims for death benefits, is governed by
the contracts they sign every time they are hired or rehired; and as long as the stipulations
therein are not contrary to law, morals, public order or public policy, they have the force
of law between the parties."12[12]
In Cadalin v. POEA's Administrator,13[13] we held that Article 291 of the Labor
Code covers all money claims from employer-employee relationship. “It is not limited
to money claims recoverable under the Labor Code, but applies also to claims of
overseas contract workers”.14[14]
10[10]
CONSTITUTION, Article II, Section 18.
11[11]
CONSTITUTION, Article XIII, Section 3.
12 [12] Coastal Safeway Marine Services, Inc. v. Delgado, G.R. No. 168210, June 17, 2008, 554 SCRA 590, 595-596.
13 [13] G.R. Nos. 104776 and 104911-14, December 5, 1994, 238 SCRA 721, 764.
14 [14] Degamo v. Avantgarde Shipping Corp., G.R. No. 154460, November 22, 2005, 475 SCRA 671, 676-677.