Petitioners appealed to the NLRC.vii[7] On 16 September 1996 the NLRC affirmed the appealed findings and conclusions of the Labor Arbiter.viii[8] The NLRC subscribed to the view that Cajeras repatriation by alleged mutual consent was not proved by petitioners, especially after noting that private respondent did not actually sign his Seamans Service Record Book to signify his assent to the repatriation as alleged by petitioners. The entry made by Capt. Alekos in the Deck Log was not considered reliable proof that private respondent agreed to his repatriation because no opportunity was given the latter to contest the entry which was against his interest. Similarly, the Medical Report issued by Dr. Hoed of Holland was dismissed as being of dubious value since it contained only a sweeping statement of the supposed ailment of Cajeras without any elaboration on the factual basis thereof. Petitioners' motion for reconsideration was denied by the NLRC in its Resolution dated 12 November 1996.ix[9] Hence, this petition contending that the NLRC committed grave abuse of discretion: (a) in not according full faith and credit to the official entry by Capt. Alekos in the vessels Deck Log conformably with the rulings in Haverton Shipping Ltd. v. NLRCx[10] and Wallem Maritime Services, Inc. v. NLRC;xi[11] (b) in not appreciating the Medical Report issued by Dr. Wden Hoed as conclusive evidence that respondent Cajeras was suffering from paranoia and other mental problems; (c) in affirming the award of attorneys fees despite the fact that Cajeras' claim for exemplary damages was denied for lack of merit; and, (d) in ordering a monetary award beyond the maximum of three (3) months salary for every year of service set by RA 8042. We deny the petition. In the Contract of Employmentxii[12] entered into with private respondent, petitioners convenanted strict and faithful compliance with the terms and conditions of the Standard Employment Contract approved by the POEA/DOLExiii[13] which provides: 1. The employment of the seaman shall cease upon expiration of the contract period indicated in the Crew Contract unless the Master and the Seaman, by mutual consent, in writing, agree to an early termination x x x x (underscoring ours). Clearly, under the foregoing, the employment of a Filipino seaman may be terminated prior to the expiration of the stipulated period provided that the master and the seaman (a) mutually consent thereto and (b) reduce their consent in writing. In the instant case, petitioners do not deny the fact that they have fallen short of the requirement. No document exists whereby Capt. Alekos and private respondent reduced to writing their alleged mutual consent to the termination of their employment contract. Instead, petitioners presented the vessel's Deck Log wherein an entry unilaterally made by Capt. Alekos purported to show that private respondent himself asked for his repatriation. However, the NLRC correctly dismissed its evidentiary value. For one thing, it is a unilateral act which is vehemently denied by private respondent. Secondly, the entry in no way satisfies the requirement of a bilateral documentation to prove early termination of an overseas employment contract by mutual consent required by the Standard Employment Contract. Hence, since the latter sets the minimum terms and conditions of employment for the protection of Filipino seamen subject only to the adoption of better terms and conditions over and above the minimum standards,xiv[14] the NLRC could not be accused of grave abuse of discretion in not accepting anything less.