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Atienza vs. Orophil Shipping International Co., Inc. [DISSENTING OPINION, SERENO, CJ]

TOMAS P. ATIENZA, PETITIONER, V. OROPHIL SHIPPING INTERNATIONAL CO., INC., ENGINEER TOMAS N. OROLA AND/OR HAKUHO KISEN CO., LTD., RESPONDENTS.

G.R. No. 191049 | 2017-08-07

DISSENTING OPINION
 
SERENO, CJ:
 
To claim disability compensation, seafarers must establish that they suffered from a work-related injury or illness during the term of their contract.[1] Substantial evidence must be presented by claimants to prove a reasonable connection between their sickness and their occupation; that is, a link to show that the sickness was caused or aggravated by their working conditions.[2]
 
In my view, petitioner Tomas P. Atienza failed to prove a connection between his work as an Able Seaman and his alleged illness. Consequently, I am compelled to register my dissent and vote for the denial of the...