Charlo P. Idul v. Alster Int'l Shipping Services, Inc

CHARLO P. IDUL, Petitioner, v. ALSTER INT'L SHIPPING SERVICES, INC.
, JOHANN
MKBLUMENTHAL GMBBH REEDEREI AND SANTIAGO D. ALMODIEL, G.R. No. 209907,
June 23, 2021
DOCTRINE: For the writ of certiorari under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court to issue, a petitioner
must show that he has no plain, speedy and adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law
against its perceived grievance. A remedy is considered "plain, speedy and adequate" if it will
promptly relieve the petitioner from the injurious effects of the judgment and the acts of the
lower court or agency. In this case, appeal was not only available but also a speedy and
adequate remedy.
FACTS: Idul was employed by Alster Shipping on behalf of its principal, Johann Mkbluementhal
GMBBH Reederei, for a period of 12 months, he boarded the vessel M/V IDA to commence his
services as a bosun.
On December 4, 2008, Idul figured in an accident while working when the lashing wires broke
and hit his left leg resulting to a fracture. He disembarked the vessel and underwent surgery in a
hospital in France. Thereafter, he was repatriated back to the Philippines for further medical
attention.
On December 11, 2008, he was referred by the company to MMC under the care of Dr. LimDr.
Chuasuan and instructed to undergo rehabilitation therapy.
The company-designated physician issued medical reports. In the medical report, Dr. Chuasuan
gave Idul a Grade 10 disability rating due to "immobility of ankle joint in abnormal position."
Prior to this, Idul sought the opinion of Dr. Garduce, assessed Idul to be totally and permanently
disabled. Alster Shipping offered to pay Idul the amount of $10,750.00 as disability benefit in
accordance with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Standard Employment
Contract (POEA SEC). However, Idul rejected the offer.
Idul filed a complaint14 for total and permanent disability benefits with damages before the
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). During the preliminary mandatory conference,
the parties failed to reach a settlement. Idul argued that he was entitled to a Disability Rating of
Grade 1 or an equivalent of $60,000.00 in disability benefits. He posited that both doctors
already concurred as to the extent and nature of his injury but Alster Shipping still failed to
satisfy his claim.
Alster Shipping denied liability for full disability benefits. It maintained that Idul was not eligible
for full disability benefits considering that he was assessed by the company-designated
physician to be suffering from a Grade 10 disability only.
The Labor Arbiter ruled in favor of Alster Shipping.
The NLRC reversed the Labor Arbiter's findings.
The CA upheld the ruling of the LA.
Aggrieved, Idul filed a motion for reconsideration which was denied by the CA
ISSUE/S: Whether the appellate court committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or
excess of jurisdiction in promulgating the assailed Decision and Resolution.
RULING: No. While the caption of the pleading is denominated as a Petition for Review
on Certiorari under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court, petitioner likewise manifested that "the
Honorable Court of Appeals is the impleaded public respondent in this Petition conformably
with Section 5, of Rule 65 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure.
Petitioner received the Resolution of the CA denying his Motion for Reconsideration on October
3, 2013. Thus, he had 15 days or until October 18, 2013 to file its Petition for Review
on Certiorari under Rule 45. However, the present petition was only filed on November 15, 2013
or way beyond the 15-day reglementary period.
A Petition for Certiorari under Rule 65 was filed to make up for the loss of petitioner's right to an
ordinary appeal. However, it is elementary that the special civil action of certiorari is not and
cannot be a substitute for an appeal, where the latter remedy is available.
[S]ince the Court of Appeals had jurisdiction over the petition under Rule 65, any alleged errors
committed by it in the exercise of its jurisdiction would be errors of judgment which are
reviewable by timely appeal and not by a special civil action of certiorari.
Rule 45 is clear that the decisions, final orders or resolutions of the Court of Appeals in any
case, i.e., regardless of the nature of the action or proceeding involved, may be appealed to this
Court by filing a petition for review, which would be but a continuation of the appellate process
over the original case. Under Rule 45 the reglementary period to appeal is fifteen (15) days from
notice of judgment or denial of motion for reconsideration.
For the writ of certiorari under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court to issue, a petitioner must show that
he has no plain, speedy and adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law against its
perceived grievance. A remedy is considered "plain, speedy and adequate" if it will promptly
relieve the petitioner from the injurious effects of the judgment and the acts of the lower court or
agency. In this case, appeal was not only available but also a speedy and adequate remedy.
In order to avail of the remedy of certiorari under Rule 65, the following must concur: (1) the writ
is directed against a tribunal, a board or any officer exercising judicial or quasi-judicial functions;
(2) such tribunal, board or officer has acted without or in excess of jurisdiction, or with grave
abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction; and (3) there is no appeal or any
plain, speedy and adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law. However, Idul failed to satisfy
these requisites.
Even assuming that Idul availed of the correct remedy, the petition still lacks merit. The CA did
not act with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction in annulling the
Decision of the NLRC, and reinstating the Labor Arbiter's Decision. The CA correctly concluded
that a temporary total disability only becomes permanent when 1) the company-designated
physician declares it to be so within the 240-day period; or 2) when after the lapse of the 240-
day period, the company-designated physician fails to make such declaration.
To support such conclusion, the appellate court cited the cases of Vergara v. Hammonia
Maritime Services Inc., Magsaysay Maritime Corporation v. Lobusta Santiago v. Pacbasin
Shipmanagement Inc., Pacific Ocean Manning, Inc. v. Penales, PhilAsia Shipping Agency Corp.
v. Tomacruz, and Kestrel Shipping Co., Inc., v. Munar. In the more recent case of Mawanay v.
Philippines Transmarine Carriers Inc.
WHEREFORE, the Petition is DENIED. The May 14, 2013 Decision of the Court of Appeals and
September 20, 2013 Resolution in CA-G.R. SP No. 119246, are hereby AFFIRMED.

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CHARLO P. IDUL, Petitioner, v. ALSTER INT'L SHIPPING SERVICES, INC.

The Labor Arbiter ruled in favor of Alster Shipping.

The NLRC reversed the Labor Arbiter's findings.

The CA upheld the ruling of the LA.

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