6/5/2020
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%
100
75
60
50
40
30
20
10
US$
148,500
111,375
89,100
74,250
59,400
44,550
29,700
14,850
the CBA further stated:
28.4 The Company shall provide disability compensation to the
seafarer in accordance with APPENDIX 3, with any differences,
including less than ten percent (10%) disability, to be pro rata;
since Carcedo’s injury fell under ‘Loss of 1st toe (big toe) and some of its
metatarsal bone,[’] his rate of compensation was equivalent to 8%
computed, as follows:
US$148,500 x 0.08 = US$11,880.00
(2) the disability assessment of the company-designated physician who
attended to the seafarer throughout his illness and who had authority to
assess his medical condition, should be given utmost credence, instead of a
doctor who had only examined the seafarer later; (3) it had not acted in bad
faith and had dealt fairly with Carcedo; it complied with its duties under the
POEA contract; it paid for all of Carcedo’s medical bills and even offered to
pay disability benefit of US$11,880.00; and Carcedo was, thus, not entitled
to attorney’s fees and exemplary damages.[23]
In Respondents’ Reply to Complainant’s Position Paper,[24] they submitted the opinions
of more doctors to refute Carcedo’s claim that he was unfit for sea duty.
The Ruling of the Labor Arbiter
On 30 November 2010, Labor Arbiter Patricio Libo-on denied Carcedo’s claim for full
disability and awarded him only partial disability in the amount of US$11,800.00 in
accordance with the contract between the parties. The dispositive portion of the
decision reads:
WHEREFORE, premises considered, the complaint for the payment of full
disability is dismissed and respondent is ordered to pay the complainant
partial disability in the amount of US$11,800.00.
SO ORDERED.[25]
elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocsfriendly/1/59949
4/19