Hence, this instant Petition for Review on Certiorari filed by Candano Shipping
raising the following issues:
WHETHER OR NOT THE FORMULA FOR FIXING THE AMOUNT OF
DEATH COMPENSATION IN ARTICLE 194 OF THE LABOR CODE
APPLIES IN DETERMINING THE COMPENSATION CLAIMED BY THE
HEIR OF THE DECEASED EMPLOYEE AGAINST THE EMPLOYER
UNDER ARTICLE 1711?
WHETHER OR NOT IT IS PERMITTED FOR THE COURT OF APPEALS,
ON ORDINARY APPEAL, TO APPLY ART. 194 OF THE LABOR CODE ON
A CLAIM FOR DEATH COMPENSATION OF AN EMPLOYEE AGAINST
THE EMPLOYER FILED AND TRIED BEFORE THE REGULAR COURTS
ON THE BASIS OF ARTICLE 1711 OF THE CIVIL CODE AND THE
DOCTRINE ENUNCIATED IN THE VILLA REY TRANSIT CASE?
WHETHER OR NOT APPLICATION OF ARTICLE 194 OF THE LABOR
CODE ON THE CLAIM FOR DEATH COMPENSATION OF RESPONDENT
OUSTS THE REGULAR COURTS, INCLUDING THE COURT OF APPEALS
OF JURISDICTION OVER THE CASE?
IN THE EVENT THAT THE SUPREME COURT RULES THAT THE COURT
OF APPEALS APPLICATION OF ARTICLE 194 OF THE LABOR CODE IN
THIS CASE SHOULD BE SET ASIDE, IS RESPONDENT ENTITLED TO
RECOVER DEATH COMPENSATION
FROM PETITIONER IN
ACCORDANCE WITH HER THEORY OF THE CASE AS ALLEGED,
ARGUED AND TRIED BEFORE THE TRIAL COURT.[17]
Since the factual findings of the RTC and the Court of Appeals that the nonrecovery of Melquiades body for the period of four (4) years from 27 March 1996
creates a presumption that he is already dead and that his death was caused by a
fortuitous event, were already settled, and considering that these findings were
notcontroverted by the parties in this instant petition, we find no compelling reason
to disturb the same. Henceforth, we will limit our discussion to the computation of
the amount of indemnification.
In its Petition, Candano Shipping argues that the application of the measure
stipulated under Article 194 of the Labor Code is erroneous since it applies only to