GR 47503; (October, 1978) (Digest)
G.R. No. L-47503 October 30, 1978
ESTER C. CORTES, petitioner, vs. EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION COMMISSION & GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM, respondents.
FACTS
Atty. Querubin B. Cortes, Clerk of Court of the Aklan Court of First Instance, suffered from various ailments including dizziness, frequent urination, body weakness, shortness of breath, and chest pain since 1954. Despite his illness, he continued working. He was hospitalized in September 1975 and diagnosed with hypertensive cardiovascular disease, cardiomegaly, diabetes mellitus, and pneumonitis. After discharge, his condition worsened, leading to readmission in October 1975. He died on October 24, 1975, from myocardial infarction and liver deterioration.
His widow, Ester C. Cortes, filed a claim for death benefits under the Employees’ Compensation Act. The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) denied the claim, ruling that acute myocardial infarction was not an occupational disease under the New Labor Code. The Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) affirmed this denial, citing medical studies that myocardial infarction is caused by factors like atherosclerosis, hypertension, and diabetes, unrelated to employment.
ISSUE
Whether the death of Atty. Querubin B. Cortes due to myocardial infarction is compensable under the Employees’ Compensation Act.
RULING
Yes, the claim is compensable. The petition is dismissed as moot and academic. The Solicitor General, representing the ECC, filed a motion to dismiss, informing the Court that the ECC had reevaluated its position. Specifically, the ECC issued Resolution No. 432 on July 20, 1977, which expanded the official list of work-related diseases under P.D. 626 to include cardiovascular diseases. Following a meeting on January 13, 1978, the ECC agreed to recommend payment for pending appealed cases involving myocardial infarction that had become compensable under the new resolution.
Consistent with this policy, the ECC subsequently issued Resolution No. 1071 on September 7, 1978, expressly approving the payment of the claim filed by petitioner Ester C. Cortes. The Court found the government’s action appropriate, emphasizing that the Workmen’s Compensation Act is social legislation designed to provide relief to workers and their dependents. It must be construed fairly, reasonably, and liberally in their favor. Since the ECC had already approved the claim, the issue presented in the petition was rendered moot. The Court therefore dismissed the petition.