DOMINGO VICENTE, vs. EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION COMMISSION.
- G.R. Number: G.R. No. 85024
- Promulgated: 1991-01-23
- Ponente: Sarmiento, J.
Doctrine
The test for permanent total disability is the employee's inability to perform his usual work despite the disability; permanent partial disability involves loss of use of a particular anatomical part that disables continuation of former work.
In social security cases, statutes are to be construed with utmost liberality in favor of beneficiaries, especially rank-and-file government workers.
Facts
Petitioner filed a certiorari petition contesting ECC Decision No. 3764 (affirming GSIS) on his disability classification.
The Court stated the undisputed facts of the case are set out in the record (summary reference to facts).
The ECC had classified petitioner's condition as "permanent partial" disability; petitioner contended he suffers from "permanent total" disability.
The petition was found to be impressed with merit by the Court.
Issues
Whether the petitioner suffers from permanent total disability as he claims, or from permanent partial disability as held by the ECC.
Ruling
The Court held the petitioner suffers from permanent total disability, set aside the ECC decision, and ordered the ECC to award benefits corresponding to permanent total disability.
The Court disposed the case in favor of the petitioner, invoking a construction of utmost liberality in favor of social security beneficiaries.
Keywords
G.R. No. 85024, Employees' Compensation Commission (ECC), permanent total disability, permanent partial disability, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Section 12(c) of Republic Act No. 1616, Presidential Decree (PD) No. 626, as amended, Osteoarthritis, multiple, Hypertensive Cardiovascular Disease, Cardiomegaly, Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, income benefits claim payment, motion for reconsideration, certiorari, Labor Code, temporary total disability, Rule VII of the Amended Rules on Employees Compensation, Workmen's Compensation Act, Marcelino vs. Seven-up Bottling Co. of the Philippines, 47 SCRA 343, employee