Orillaneda v. Workmen'S Compensation Commission

MUÑOZ-PALMA, J.:

Petitioner herein, Juan Orillaneda, was formerly employed as senior storekeeper, Division of Ports & Harbors, Bureau of Public Works. In the course of his employment, he contracted "diabetes with secondary hypertension, nephritis" which caused his temporary total disability from labor from January 1, 1973 to March 21, 1973, inclusive, and permanent partial disability of 50% N.S.D., for which he was awarded by Regional Office No. 4, Department of Labor, disability Compensation benefits on March 22, 1973, amounting to P5,243, under Sections 14 and 18 of the Workmen's Compensation Act.1 Orillaneda accordingly retired from the service.

Petitioner herein subsequently filed a claim for reimbursement of medical expenses amounting to P8,248.99, claiming that this amount was spent at the time that he was hospitalized in the San Juan de Dios Hospital for medicines bought by him as a result of his ailment. He submitted before the Commission: (1) a statement of account of Dr. F. S. Guerrero of the San Juan de Dios Hospital dated April 25, 1975, for P2,000.00 for professional services rendered (Exh. "G", p.

31, WCC Records), and (2) a summary of the amounts spent during the corresponding years as follows: 1965 P51.80 1972 114.42 1973 648.17 1974 1,370.27 1975 3,970.40 42.55