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On December 22, 2013, Balatero experienced chest pains, with palpitations and
shortness of breath. He was taken to Odense University Hospital (Odense) in Denmark,
diagnosed to have an elevated blood pressure, prescribed anti-hypertensive medicines,
and discharged thereafter.[10]
On January 2, 2014, Balatero suffered from similar symptoms and was again brought
to Odense, where he was advised to continue with the earlier prescribed antihypertensive medicines, and be repatriated for further medical evaluation.[11]
Balatero disembarked from the ship and arrived in Manila on January 5, 2014. The day
after, he reported to SCMI's office for post-medical examination and was referred to
Metropolitan Medical Center under the care of company-designated physician, Dr.
Richard Olalia (Dr. Olalia). In the Medical Report dated January 8, 2014, Dr. Olalia
found Balatero to be suffering from "Uncontrolled Hypertension; Unstable Angina; To
Consider Coronary Artery Disease [CAD]; Dyslipidemia," the etiologies of which were
multi-factorial but not work-related.[12]
Balatero was later referred to Cardinal Santos Medical Center under the care of Dr. Roy
Garrido (Dr. Garrido), an interventional cardiologist. Balatero underwent Coronary
Angiogram and Aortogram, which revealed that he had "Severe [CAD] of the [Left
Anterior Descending], D2 and [Right Posterior Descending Artery]; and Moderate [CAD]
LCx."[13]
On February 17, 2014, Balatero underwent Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary
Angioplasty[14] (2 stents of the Mid Left Anterior Descending and Ostio Proximal Right
Posterior Descending Artery).[15] In Balatero's subsequent medical check ups, Dr.
Garrido prescribed maintenance medicines, which as of May 29, 2014 totalled five.[16]
The medical expenses were shouldered by the respondents, and Balatero was also paid
his sickness allowance.[17] He was subsequently declared fit to work, but with medical
maintenance for the rest of his life.[18]
Unconvinced about his fitness to resume sea duties, Balatero consulted Dr. Li-Ann LaraOrencia (Dr. Lara-Orencia), an occupational doctor. As indicated in the Medical
Certificate[19] dated June 3, 2014, Dr. Lara-Orencia found Balatero to be suffering from
"Hypertensive Cardiovascular Disease," which was ''precipitated by the stressful nature
of his work." Further, under Item No. 11(c) of the Philippine Overseas Employment
Agency's (POEA) Standard Employment Contract (SEC) for Seafarers, CAD is a
compensable illness. Under Item No. 13, Uncontrolled Hypertension, arising from
exposure to extreme physical and psychological stress at work, is an occupational
illness. Dr. Lara-Orencia then concluded that Balatero cannot return to his employment
as 3rd Officer due to the latter's on and off chest pains, "easy fatigability" and
continuous intake of five maintenance medicines, to wit, "ASA 80 mg.,[20] Clopidogrel
75 mg.,[21] Candesartan+Amlodipine,[22] Carvedilol[23] and Rosuvastatin 20 mg."[24]
Balatero demanded permanent total disability benefits, which the respondents denied
on the ground that after treatment and rehabilitation, the company-designated doctor
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