GSIS v. ESTEVES

GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM, Petitioner VS. FE L. ESTEVES, Respondent
G.R. No. 182297
June 21, 2017


FACTS:

This is a petition for review on certiorari filed by the petitioner, assailing the Court of Appeals decision for denying the death benefits of the respondent for the demise of her husband Antonio Estevez, Sr.

Antonio Esteves Sr., was a utility worker at the Gubat District Hospital (GDH) from December 1978 until the time of his death on August 5, 2000.

On August 5, 2000, Antonio Esteves Sr. was rushed to the hospital due to body weakness, headache and vomiting. After few hours after he was rushed to the hospital, Antonio Esteves Sr. died. His death certificate states that the immediate cause of death was CVA, Hemorrhagic, antecedent cause was Hypertension, Stage III and underlying cause was NIDDM.

The respondent believes that the death of her husband was work-related and compensable under P.D. No. 626, which the respondent filed a claim for death benefits with the GSIS.
However, the petitioner GSIS denied the respondent’s claim on the ground that Antonio’s death is not considered as work related. The aggrieved respondent appealed to the (ECC) Employees Compensation Commission where the claim of the respondent was dismissed for lack of merit. On the contrary, the respondent appealed to the Court of Appeals reversing and set aside the decision of the ECC and directing GSIS to pay the respondent’s claim.


ISSUE:

Whether or not the underlying cause of death of Antonio Esteves Sr. may be considered compensable under P.D. No. 626, as amended.


HELD:

No. The deceased’s underlying ailment, Non-independent Diabetes Mellitus is not work-related. The said ailment is caused by genetic factors, obesity, and overeating which are not related to the deceased’s employment and working conditions. Hence, irrespective of the type of work that he had been engaged in, he could have contracted Diabetes. Moreover, under Section 1, Rule III of the Amended Rules of Employees Compensation, Section 1. Grounds (a) For the injury and the resulting disability or death to be compensable, the injury must be the result of accident arising out of and in the course of the employment. (ECC Resolution No. 2799, July 25, 1984). (b) For sickness and the resulting disability or death to be compensable, the sickness must be the result of an occupational disease listed under Annex “A” of these Rules with the conditions set therein satisfied, otherwise, proof must be shown that the risk of contracting the disease is increased by the working conditions.
The Supreme Court ruled that the instant petition is granted reversing and set aside the decision of the Court of Appeals and reinstated the decision of the Employees Compensation Commission.