MA. LOURDES VILLANUEVA, vs. COURT OF APPEALS and BLUE CROSS INSURANCE, INC..
- G.R. Number: G.R. No. 99357
- Promulgated: 1992-01-27
- Ponente: Regalado, J.
Doctrine
Factual findings of administrative agencies are accorded respect and finality due to their special knowledge and expertise and should not be re-examined by courts if supported by substantial evidence.
A reviewing court cannot re-examine the sufficiency of the evidence on factual matters; findings of fact must be respected so long as supported by substantial evidence.
Strict compliance with procedural rules for perfecting appeals is indispensable; relaxation of rules requires strong, compelling reasons such as preventing a grave miscarriage of justice.
Facts
This is a petition for review on certiorari seeking nullification of the Court of Appeals' 8 May 1991 resolution that reconsidered its 15 March 1991 resolution in CA-G.R. SP No. 24120 (Villanueva vs. Blue Cross Insurance, Inc.).
Petitioner filed a complaint with the Insurance Commission claiming Blue Cross issued a sickness and accident policy for annual premium P7,535; petitioner was hospitalized and operated for cholecystitis; she paid P48,934.05 in hospital and professional fees; Blue Cross refused payment under the policy.
Issues
Whether the Court of Appeals erred in reconsidering its prior resolution dismissing private respondent's appeal for failure to file the statutory notice of appeal.
Whether the Insurance Commission's factual findings that the illness was not pre-existing and that petitioner did not have awareness of any excluded pre-existing condition should be disturbed on judicial review.
Ruling
The petition is granted; the CA's 8 May 1991 resolution is annulled and set aside, and its 15 March 1991 resolution dismissing the appeal is reinstated for failure to file the notice of appeal as required by law.
The Insurance Commission's decision in I.C. Case No. 3277 dated 21 September 1990 is declared final and executory; the CA should not have disturbed the IC's factual findings.
Keywords
G.R. No. 99357, Republic Act No. 5434, Section 2, Republic Act No. 5434, Section 3, Republic Act No. 5434, Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, Insurance Commission, cholecystitis, pre-existing condition, motion for reconsideration, notice of appeal, perfection of appeal, jurisdictional, right to appeal, statutory privilege, substantial justice, equity jurisdiction, final and executory, appellate jurisdiction, quasi-judicial bodies, private