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elevated and that the laboratory tests done on the petitioner "showed normal fasting
blood sugar, creatinine, cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL, VLDL, SGPT and
potassium." Further, petitioner was advised to continue his medication and to come
back on January 5, 2012 for his re-evaluation.
In the next follow-up report[8] prepared by Dr. Hao-Quan and noted by Dr. Lim, dated
January 6, 2012, it was stated that petitioner still had an elevated blood pressure.
Petitioner was given additional anti-hypertensive medication and the dose of his
present anti-hypertensive medication was adjusted for better blood pressure control.
Petitioner was also directed to return for another evaluation.
Thereafter, petitioner religiously went back for check-up and re-evaluation on January
20, 2012,[9] January 27, 2012,[10] February 10, 2012,[11] February 15, 2012,[12]
February 29, 2012,[13] March 28, 2012,[14] April 3, 2012,[15] April 17, 2012,[16] April
24, 2012,[17] and May 8, 2012.[18] In all these follow-up evaluations, petitioner was
continually diagnosed to be suffering from hypertension and was given the appropriate
medications to address his medical condition. Moreover, during the time he was
undergoing treatment, petitioner received sickness allowance which amounted to Two
Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty-Seven US dollars and Three Cents (US$2,887.03) from
respondent.[19]
Meanwhile, on February 16, 2012, the Marine Medical Services of the Metropolitan
Medical Center issued a report stating that the cause of petitioner's hypertension was
not work-related and that the cause of his hypertension is multifactorial in origin, which
includes genetic predisposition, poor lifestyle, high salt intake, smoking, diabetes
mellitus,
age,
and
increased
sympathetic
activity.[20]
Moreover,
petitioner's
hypertension can be triggered by stress and emotional outburst.[21] In a subsequent
report dated April 24, 2012, one of the company doctors stated that petitioner's
hypertension "is not a contraindication to resume work as long as patient will be
compliant with taking his anti-hypertensive medications and we are able to achieve
adequate blood pressure control."[22]
On May 7, 2012, not satisfied with the findings of the company-designated physicians,
petitioner consulted Dr. Manuel C. Jacinto, Jr. (Dr. Jacinto), who specializes in
Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology/Disease of Bones and Joints, of the Sta. Teresita
General Hospital. After examining petitioner, Dr. Jacinto issued a Medical Certificate[23]
stating that petitioner suffered from "uncontrolled essential hypertension." Dr. Jacinto
also concluded that petitioner's illness started from work and his condition did not
improve despite treatment. Dr. Jacinto marked petitioner's condition as "workrelated/work-aggravated."[24]
Eventually, on May 16, 2012, petitioner filed a Complaint[25] against respondents
claiming disability benefits for permanent disability and damages. After receiving the
parties' position papers, the LA, on November 5, 2012, rendered a Decision[26]
dismissing the complaint, the dispositive portion of which reads:
WHEREFORE, premises considered, judgment is hereby
DISMISSING the complaint and other claims for lack of merit.
elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocsfriendly/1/63251
rendered
2/14