6/5/2020 E-Library - Information At Your Fingertips: Printer Friendly Petitioners filed a Motion for Reconsideration,[17] but the CA denied it in its Resolution dated May 19, 2008. Hence, the present petition raising the following issues: I. WHETHER THE COURT OF APPEALS MAY AWARD DISABILITY BENEFITS IN A CASE FOR DEATH BENEFITS II. WHETHER THE DECISION DENIAL OF DUE PROCESS OF THE COURT OF APPEAL CONSTITUTES A III. WHETHER THE DECISION OF THE COURT OF APPEALS IS ACCORDANCE WITH LAW[18] The basic issue in the present case is whether the CA erred in awarding disability benefits in favor of respondents who were asking for death benefits. The Court finds the petition meritorious. Preliminarily, the Court agrees with the CA and the NLRC that herein respondents are not entitled to death benefits. It is settled that the terms and conditions of a seafarer's employment, including claims for death and disability benefits, is a matter governed, not only by medical findings, but by the contract he entered into with his employer and the law which is deemed integrated therein.[19] In the present case, considering that Padrones' employment contract was executed in December 1998, the provisions of POEA Standard Employment Contract (POEA-SEC), based on POEA Memorandum Circular No. 55, series of 1996, govern. Section 20(A) of the POEA-SEC provides as follows: SECTION 20. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS A. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS FOR DEATH 1. In case of death of the seafarer during the term of his contract, the employer shall pay his beneficiaries the Philippine Currency equivalent to the amount of Fifty Thousand US dollars (US$50,000) and an additional amount of Seven Thousand US dollars (US$7,000) to each child under the age of elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocsfriendly/1/59749 4/9

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