The appellate court noted that no substantial evidence was presented by
petitioner to show that there is a reasonable connection between the nature of his
employment or working conditions and his illness;22[22] and that the findings of
the company-designated physicians deserve greater weight viz-a-viz the conclusion
of petitioner’s private doctor which was arrived at after only one consultation. 23
[23]
His motion for reconsideration of the appellate court’s decision having been
denied,24[24] petitioner lodged the present petition for review on certiorari, arguing
in the main that his illness is presumed to be work-related.
The petition fails.
Petitioner’s illness was already existing when he commenced his fourth
contract of employment with respondents, hence, not compensable.25[25] Given
that the employment of a seafarer is governed by the contract he signs every time
he is rehired and his employment is terminated when his contract expires,26[26]
22[22] Id. at 190.
23[23] Id. at 191.
24[24] Id. at 210-211.
25
NYK-Fil Ship Management, Inc, v. National Labor Relations Commission, G.R. No.
161104. September 27, 2006, 503 SCRA 595.
[25]