8/26/2020
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. . . The two components of the coverage formula — "arising out of and in
the course of employment" — are said to be separate tests which must be
independently satisfied; however, it should not be forgotten that the basic
concept of compensation coverage is unitary, not dual, and is best expressed
in the word, "work-connection," because an uncompromising insistence on
an independent application of each of the two portions of the test can, in
certain cases, exclude clearly work-connected injuries. The words arising out
of refer to the origin or cause of the accident, and are descriptive of its
character, while the words in the course of refer to the time, place and
circumstances under which the accident takes place.
As a matter of general proposition, an injury or accident is said to arise "in
the course of employment" when it takes place within the period of the
employment, at a place where the employee reasonably may be, and while
he is fulfilling his duties or is engaged in doing something incidental thereto.
[78] (Emphasis supplied)
In Jebsens Maritime, Inc. v. Babol,[79] the 'principle of work-relation' was explained in
this wise:
Pursuant to the said contract, the injury or illness must be work-related and
must have existed during the term of the seafarer's employment in order for
compensability to arise. Work-relation must, therefore, be established.
As a general rule, the principle of work-relation requires that the disease in
question must be one of those listed as an occupational disease under Sec.
32-A of the POEA-SEC. Nevertheless, should it be not classified as
occupational in nature, Section 20 (B) paragraph 4 of the POEA-SEC
provides that such diseases are disputably presumed as work-related.
In this case, it is undisputed that NPC afflicted respondent while on board
the petitioners' vessel. As a non-occupational disease, it has the disputable
presumption of being work-related. This presumption obviously works in the
seafarer's favor. Hence, unless contrary evidence is presented by the
employers, the work-relatedness of the disease must be sustained.[80]
(Citations omitted)
Here, the two (2) elements of a work-related injury are present. Not only was
petitioner's injury work-related, it was sustained during the term of his employment
contract. His injury, therefore, is compensable.
As with the lower courts, this Court finds that petitioner's injury was work-related.
Moreover, the labor tribunals also found that respondents breached their contractual
obligation by hiring another employee who was prone to committing felonious acts.[81]
Under Section 1(A)(4) of the POEA Standard Employment Contract, respondents must
"take all reasonable precautions to prevent accident and injury to the crew[.]"[82] The
National Labor Relations Commission reasoned that the master of vessel instructed
petitioner and his assailant to work together when prudence dictates that they should
https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocsfriendly/1/65333
10/22