On 6 March 1978, Esso International Shipping (Bahamas) Co., Ltd., (“Esso”)  through Trans-Global Maritime Agency, Inc. (“Trans-Global”) hired Florello W. Tanchico (“Tanchico”) as First Assistant Engineer.  In  1981, Tanchico became Chief Engineer. On 13 October 1992, Tanchico returned to the Philippines for a two-month vacation after completing his eight-month deployment.            On 8 December 1992, Tanchico underwent the required standard medical examination prior to boarding the vessel.  The medical examination revealed that Tanchico was suffering from “Ischemic Heart Disease, Hypertensive CardioMuscular Disease and Diabetes Mellitus.”  Tanchico took medications for two months and a subsequent stress test showed a negative result. However, Esso no longer deployed Tanchico.  Instead, Esso offered to pay him benefits under the Career Employment Incentive Plan.  Tanchico accepted the offer.             On 26 April 1993, Tanchico filed a complaint against Esso, Trans-Global and Malayan Insurance Co., Inc. (“Malayan”) before the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) for illegal dismissal with claims for backwages, separation pay, disability and medical benefits and 13th month pay.  In view of the enactment of Republic Act No. 8042 (“RA 8042”) [4]  transferring to the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) the jurisdiction over money claims of overseas workers, the case was indorsed to the Arbitration Branch of the National Capital Region.  In a Decision[5] dated 16 October 1996, Labor Arbiter Jose G. De Vera (“Labor Arbiter De Vera”) dismissed the complaint for lack of merit.    Tanchico appealed to the NLRC.   The Ruling of the NLRC             In its Resolution[6] of 3 September 1998, the NLRC affirmed the Decision of Labor Arbiter De Vera.  Tanchico filed a motion for reconsideration.  In a Resolution[7] promulgated on 29 March 1999, the NLRC reconsidered its 3 September 1998 Resolution, as follows:               On the claim of illegal dismissal, the same is unavailing as complainant had been declared as one with partial permanent disability. Thus, he should be entitled to disability benefit of 18 days for every year of credited service of