4/29/2020
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On February 22, 2003, Armando underwent Cardiac Catheterisation and Angiography to
check for damages to his coronary arteries. The result of the angiography indicated
“[e]ssentially normal coronary arteries with good left ventricular function.”[13] The final
diagnosis of Armando’s illness, issued on February 23, 2003, stated “Microvascular
Unstable Angina Class III B established on medical treatment, Type II-A Hyperlipidemia,
HT, Obesity, Alcoholism.” Dr. Ranjan gave the following treatment and advice:[14]
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Medications as advised.
Unfit for duty for 4 weeks from today.
Fit for air travel.
Repatriation on Medical ground.
Risk stratification after 3 weeks by TMT/Stress Thallium 201/Technetium
99/sestambi scan.
Following Dr. Ranjan’s recommendation, the petitioners repatriated Armando on medical
ground. Armando arrived in the Philippines on February 23, 2003 and upon instruction, he
proceeded to PTCI’s company-designated physician, Dr. Natalio Alegre II, at the St. Luke’s
Medical Center. Dr. Alegre treated Armando and monitored his condition for three months.
During the course of the treatment, Armando underwent several laboratory tests,[15] which
included an ECG, CR-M, Troponin, spirometry and cardiac imaging. After the three-month
close monitoring, treatment and consultation with the attending cardiologist, Dr. Marietta
Crisostomo, Dr. Alegre declared Armando “fit to work” on May 12, 2003.[16]
Despite the certification of Dr. Alegre as to Armando’s fitness to resume work, Armando
nevertheless claimed otherwise. In a letter[17] dated June 25, 2003, Armando demanded
from PTCI payment of permanent disability benefits under the Philippine Overseas
Employment Agency Standard Employment Contract (POEA-SEC).
The petitioners did not heed Armando’s demand, prompting Armando to file, on July 4,
2003, a complaint[18] against the petitioners for injury/illness compensation benefit under
a disability grade of 7, according to the POEA-SEC, in the amount of US$20,900.00. In the
complaint, he indicated “Coronary Artery Disease” (CAD) as the ground for his claim for
disability benefits. Armando also sought payment of the balance of his sickness allowance
equivalent to two months, unpaid/underpaid salary amounting to US$966.00, vacation
leave pay, sick leave pay, moral and exemplary damages, and attorney’s fees. On
September 9, 2003, Armando amended his complaint[19] to include “hypertension,
hyperlipidemia, obesity and alcoholism” as grounds for his disability benefits claim.
On August 11, 2003, Armando went to the UST Hospital and consulted Dr. Patrick Gerard L.
Moral (Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease and Sleep Breathing Disorders). Dr. Moral
issued a medical certificate[20] diagnosing Armando with “Coronary Heart Disease,
Hypertension and Dyslipidemia,” and gave him a disability grade of “7” based on the POEA
disability grading schedule under the POEA-SEC.
On August 27 and 29, 2003, Armando visited the Philippine General Hospital and consulted
Dr. Antonio L. Dans (Internal Medicine and Cardiology). Dr. Dans diagnosed Armando with
“Gastroesophageal reflux, Hypertension and Dyslipidemia.”[21] On September 4, 2003,
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