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FIRST DIVISION
[ G.R. No. 235336, June 23, 2020 ]
LEONIDES P. RILLERA, PETITIONER, VS. UNITED PHILIPPINE
LINES, INC. AND/OR BELSHIPS MANAGEMENT (SINGAPORE) PTE.,
LTD., RESPONDENTS.
DECISION
LAZARO-JAVIER, J.:
The Case
This petition for review on certiorari[1] seeks to reverse the following dispositions of the
Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. SP No. 144028 entitled "United Philippine Lines, Inc.,
and/or Belships Management (Singapore) Pte., Ltd. v. Leonides P. Rillera:"
1. Decision[2] dated January 6, 2017, reversing the grant of total and permanent
disability benefits to petitioner Leonides P. Rillera; and
2. Resolution[3] dated
reconsideration.
October
26,
2017
denying
petitioner's
motion
for
Antecedents
On January 6, 2012, respondent United Philippine Lines, Inc., for and on behalf of its
principal respondent Belships Management (Singapore) Pte., Ltd., hired petitioner as
3rd Mate on board the vessel Carribean Frontier for nine (9) months with a monthly
salary of USD1,316.00.[4]
As 3rd Mate, petitioner's responsibilities included directing the operation of the ship
during his tour of watch, performing navigational duties, plotting ship positions on chart
and checking the pre-plotted course, maintaining records of important events during
his watch, taking charge of life-saving equipment, lifeboats, and visual signaling
equipment, and leading a team in case of emergencies.[5]
Prior to his deployment, petitioner underwent routinary Pre-Employment Medical
Examination (PEME). In the process, he was asked whether he was aware of, diagnosed
with, or treated for hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes, among others. He
answered in the negative. Based on the results of his examination, he was declared fit
for sea duty and got deployed on January 22, 2012.[6]
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