4/20/2021 E-Library - Information At Your Fingertips: Printer Friendly Arbiter that they have entered into a full and final amicable settlement of their impending case and of all claims that complainant has on respondents. ... one of the quitclaim documents executed by complainant is in the vernacular. From that alone, he cannot deny any knowledge and understanding of the contents thereof. Such was further bolstered by the Joint Motion to Dismiss filed by him and respondents, attesting to their full settlement.[19] (Emphasis in the original, citation omitted) Castillon then filed a motion for reconsideration, but to no avail.[20] Thus, he filed an appeal before the Court of Appeals, claiming that the proceedings before Labor Arbiter Del Rosario was a "sham[,]" because it was Magsaysay which caused the filing of the complaint. Moreover, he argued that he did not voluntarily sign the release document and the joint motion to dismiss. He further contended that he is entitled to full disability benefits of US$60,000.00 because his illness is work-related.[21] The Court of Appeals dismissed the petition, thus: WHEREFORE, the petition is DENIED. The NLRC's Decision dated October 28, 2011 and Resolution dated December 29, 2011 in NLRC Case No. OFW VAC-06-000027-201 are AFFIRMED. SO ORDERED.[22] The Court of Appeals ruled that the release documents signed by Castillon barred him from claiming total disability benefits.[23] The appellate court found that the quitclaim was "knowingly and voluntarily" executed by Castillon, considering the absolute character of the document.[24] The Affidavit of Claimant executed by Castillon categorically stated that the US$20,000.00 covered all benefits due to him under the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Standard Employment Contract.[25] Moreover, the Court of Appeals pointed out that the document was translated and was signed by Castillon in both English and Filipino versions. Castillon also handwrote the word "RELEASE" and the affirmative responses to the clarificatory questions in the documents. Castillon cannot assail the validity of the quitclaim on the ground that it was Magsaysay who filed the complaint before the National Labor Relations Commission because he fully participated in the proceedings. It is also noteworthy that the quitclaim was presented to and approved by Labor Arbiter Del Rosario.[26] Further, the amount of US$20,000.00 is already a fair and reasonable settlement of Castillon's claim, considering that his illness is not work-related. The Court of Appeals considered the determination of the company-designated physician, along with Castillon's family history of intestinal malignancy.[27] Thus, the Court of Appeals affirmed the National Labor Relations Commission's finding of res judicata. All elements of res judicata are present in this case: (1) the order of dismissal was final; (2) it was an adjudication on the merits because it was premised upon a settlement; (3) Labor Arbiter Del Rosario had jurisdiction over the subject https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocsfriendly/1/66406 4/35