Social Legislation Reviewer for Finals
Employees Compensation and State Insurance Fund
1. Who are subject to coverage under the employees’ compensation program?
The following are subject to coverage under the employees’ compensation program:
§ Private sector workers who are compulsory members of the Social Security System (SSS) and sea-based Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
§ Government sector employees who are members of the Government service Insurance System (GSIS), including members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, elective government officials who are receiving regular salary and all casual, emergency, temporary and substitute or contractual employees.
2. When shall EC claims be filed? And, on what grounds may a claim be made for benefits under the employees’ compensation program?
EC claims must be filed within a period of three years from:
§ In case of sickness, from the time the employee was unable to report for work;
§ In case of injury, from the time of the incident;
§ In case of death, from the date of death.
The filing of disability or death benefits either under the SSS law or the GSIS law within three years from the time the cause of action accrued would stop the running of the prescriptive period.
3. May an illness not listed by the Employees Compensation Commission as an occupational disease be compensable? If so, cite an example.
Yes. An illness not listed by the Employees Compensation Commission as an occupational disease be compensable.
The Supreme Court in the case of Santos vs ECC & GSIS, [GR. No. 89222, 1993] states that “Where the claimant's illness is not listed in the Table of Occupational Diseases embodied in Annex A of the Rules on Employees' Compensation, said claimant must positively prove that the risk of contracting the disease is increased by the working conditions. Cirrhosis of the liver is not listed as an occupational disease.”
The law defines compensable sickness as any illness definitely accepted as occupational disease listed by the Commission, or any illness caused by employment subject to proof that the risk of contracting the same is increased by the working conditions. For sickness and the resulting death of an employee to be compensable, the claimant must show either: (1) that it is a result of an occupational disease listed under Annex A of the Amended Rules on Employees' Compensation with the conditions set therein satisfied: or (2) if not so listed, that the risk of contracting the disease is increased by the working conditions.
In the case of Santos vs ECC & GSIS, [GR. No. 89222, 1993] SC held that even “Cirrhosis of the liver is not listed as an occupational disease. Nevertheless, in the very recent case of Librea v. Employees' Compensation Commission. SC took a liberal stand and based on the evidence presented, pronounced the said sickness compensable. In the cited case, a Division Physical Education Supervisor, who likewise spent the last 32 years of his life in public service was adjudged entitled to the benefits of the ECC, upon his death due to liver cirrhosis.”
But in the case of Lorenzo vs GSIS; the Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia is a result of a defective genetic expression in expanding hematopoietic stem cells hence not work related as a teacher; therefore is not entitled of the benefits as provided by law.
GSIS Act
4. What government employees are subject to coverage under the Government Service Insurance System?
As provided in Section 3 of RA 8291 that the "Compulsory Membership. — Membership in the GSIS shall be compulsory for all employees receiving compensation who have not reached the compulsory retirement age, irrespective of employment status, except members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, subject to the condition that they must settle first their financial obligation with the GSIS, and contractuals who have no employer and employee relationship with the agencies they serve.
“Except for the members of the judiciary and constitutional commissions who shall have life insurance only, all members of the GSIS shall have life insurance, retirement, and all other social security protection such as disability, survivorship, separation, and unemployment benefits."
5. Who are excluded from the coverage of the GSIS Act?
The government employee excluded from the coverage of GSIS as stated in Section 3 of RA 8291 are:
§ Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
§ Philippine National Police
§ Contractuals (of the government) who have no employer-employee relationship with the government agencies they serve.
The members of the judiciary and constitutional commissions have only life insurance benefit with the GSIS.
6. When is retirement compulsory?
The retirement is compulsory at the age of 65 [R.A. 8291, Sec. 13, Par. B]
7. Is the pension of a public servant a gratuity? Explain.
Yes. The pension of a public servant a gratuity.
Section 7-1(9) of Commonwealth Act No. 246, as amended, which provides the following:
Compensation of persons receiving pension — A person receiving life pension, annuity, or gratuity from the government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, or any province, city, municipality, or other subdivision thereof, or from any government owned or controlled entity or enterprise, who is reappointed to any position, the appropriation for the salary of which is provided from funds of the said Commonwealth Government of any province, city, municipality, or other subdivision thereof, or from any government-owned or controlled entity, or enterprise, shall have the option to receive either the compensation for the position, or the pension, gratuity or annuity; but in no case shall he receive both.
The provision of second paragraph of Section 8 of Article IX-B of the Constitution which states "Pensions or gratuities shall not be considered as additional, double, or indirect compensation," may not be invoked. This provision simply means that a retiree receiving pension or gratuity can continue to receive such pension or gratuity even if he accepts another government position to which compensation is attached [Ocampo vs COA, G.R. No. 188716].”
Retirement laws are liberally construed in favor of the employee because the level of retirement compensation is below the cost of living requirements of a retiree. A grateful nation owes the retiree at the very least a liberal interpretation. Hence; it is submitted that the pension of a public servant is of a nature a gratuitous compensation of his/her work done in the government. Although the employee contributed in such pension; but nevertheless the benefits derived therein; the aids and welfare and the compensation program of the government by virtue of the current enabling laws with respect to pension and retirement are for the good of the beneficiaries therein.
SSS Act
8. What is the policy of the State under the Social Security Law?
As embodied in Section 2 of R.A 8282 gives the policy of the state in the SSS beneficiaries which states that "Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the Republic of the Philippines to establish, develop, promote and perfect a sound and viable tax-exempt social security service suitable to the needs of the people throughout the Philippines which shall promote social justice and provide meaningful protection to members and their beneficiaries against the hazards of disability, sickness, maternity, old age, death, and other contingencies resulting in loss of income or financial burden. Towards this end, the State shall endeavor to extend social security protection to workers and their beneficiaries."
9. Cite instances of a voluntary coverage under the SSS law.
The following are instances of voluntary coverage under the SSS Law:
§ Voluntary contributions of employers and/or employees, self-employed and voluntary members and their earnings [Sec. 4, R.A. 8282]
§ Spouses who devote full time to managing the household and family affairs, unless they are also engaged in other vocation or employment which is subject to mandatory coverage, may be covered by the SSS on a voluntary basis. [R.A. 8282, Sec. 9, Par. B]
§ Filipinos recruited by foreign-based employers for employment abroad may be covered by the SSS on a voluntary basis. [R.A. 8282, Sec. 9, Par. C]
10. What is a “self-employed” individual?
A self-employed person shall be both employee and employer at the same time. [R.A. 8282, Sec. 8, Par. D]
11. After working for five (5) years in a private insurance company, Jose was fired without cause. His dismissal affected him so much that two months after his dismissal he suffered a stroke resulting in the paralysis of left arm and legs. Considering that Jose was no longer working at the time he incurred disability, is he nevertheless entitled to disability benefits under the SSS Law? Why?
Yes; Jose’s disability is permanent partial because he suffered a stroke resulting in the paralysis of left arm and legs.
As provided in R.A. 8282, Sec. 13-A, Par. E provides that “If the disability is permanent partial, and such disability occurs before thirty-six (36) monthly contributions have been paid prior to the semester of disability, the benefit shall be such percentage of the lump sum benefit described in the preceding paragraph with due regard to the degree of disability as the Commission may determine.”
Since Jose is working with a private insurance company for 5 years; it is submitted that since he is employed it is presumed that his employer made the contribution to the SSS; and that Jose was working for 5 years already. Therefore Jose is covered to the Disability Benefits by the SSS.
Anti-Sexual Harassment Act
12. Who can be victims of sexual harassment?
Although women are the most frequent targets of sexual harassment; but nevertheless both males and females can either be the victim of sexual harassment.
As provided in R.A. 11313, Sec. 4 which states that "Section 4. Gender-Based Streets and Public Spaces Sexual Harassment. -The crimes of gender-based streets and public spaces sexual harassment are committed through any unwanted and uninvited sexual actions or remarks against any person regardless of the motive for committing such action or remarks." This law provides Gender-Based protection for the victim which is not based on sex but on the gender of the victim.
13. What constitutes sexual harassment?
As provided in Sec. 3 of R.A. 7877; the following constitute sexual harassment:
(a) In a work-related or employment environment, sexual harassment is committed when:
(1) The sexual favor is made as a condition in the hiring or in the employment, re-employment or continued employment of said individual, or in granting said individual favorable compensation, terms of conditions, promotions, or privileges; or the refusal to grant the sexual favor results in limiting, segregating or classifying the employee which in any way would discriminate, deprive ordiminish employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect said employee;
(2) The above acts would impair the employee's rights or privileges under existing labor laws; or
(3) The above acts would result in an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for the employee.
(b) In an education or training environment, sexual harassment is committed:
(1) Against one who is under the care, custody or supervision of the offender;
(2) Against one whose education, training, apprenticeship or tutorship is entrusted to the offender;
(3) When the sexual favor is made a condition to the giving of a passing grade, or the granting of honors and scholarships, or the payment of a stipend, allowance or other benefits, privileges, or consideration; or
(4) When the sexual advances result in an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment for the student, trainee or apprentice.
As provided in Sec. 4 of R.A. 11313; the following constitute sexual harassment:
“Gender-based streets and public spaces sexual harassment includes catcalling, wolf-whistling, unwanted invitations, misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic and sexist slurs, persistent uninvited comments or gestures on a person’s appearance, relentless requests for personal details, statement of sexual comments and suggestions, public masturbation or flashing of private parts, groping, or any advances, whether verbal or physical, that is unwanted and has threatened one’s sense of personal space and physical safety, and committed in public spaces such as alleys, roads, sidewalks and parks. Acts constitutive of gender-based streets and public spaces sexual harassment are those performed in buildings, schools, churches, restaurants, malls, public washrooms, bars, internet shops, public markets, transportation terminals or public utility vehicles.”
14. Discuss the penalty for violation of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act.
The penalty for violation of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act is that “Any person who violates the provisions of this Act shall, upon conviction, be penalized by imprisonment of not less than one (1) month nor more than six (6) months, or a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000) nor more than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000), or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.” [Sec. 7, R.A. 7877].
Section 6 of the said law provides for an “Independent Action for Damages. - Nothing in this Act shall preclude the victim of work, education or training-related sexual harassment from instituting a separate and independent action for damages and other affirmative relief.”
Solo Parent Welfare Act and Paternity Leave Act
15. Discuss the qualification of a Solo Parent.
To be entitled for the benefits, trainings and other programs granted by the government by virtue of R.A 8972 the following qualifications of a Solo Parent are necessary:
§ That he/she is a Solo Parent pursuant to the provision in Sec. 3, Par. A of R.A. 8972
§ Having an income in the place of domicile falls below the poverty threshold as set by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and subject to the assessment of the DSWD worker in the area shall be eligible for assistance: Provided, however, That any solo parent whose income is above the poverty threshold shall enjoy the benefits mentioned in Sections 6, 7 and 8 of this Act.
16. What are the benefits of solo parents under the Solo Parent Welfare Act?
The benefits of Solo Parents are:
§ Comprehensive Package of Social Development and Welfare Services. [Sec. 5, R.A. 8972]
§ Flexible Work Schedule [Sec. 6, R.A. 8972]
§ Against Work Discrimination [Sec. 7, R.A. 8972]
§ Parental Leave [Sec. 8, R.A. 8972]
§ Educational Benefits [Sec. 9, R.A. 8972]
§ Housing Benefits [Sec. 10, R.A. 8972]
§ Medical Assistance [Sec. 11, R.A. 8972]
17. What is paternity leave?
Paternity Leave refers to the benefits granted to a married male employee allowing him not to report for work for seven (7) days but continues to earn the compensation therefor, on the condition that his spouse has delivered a child or suffered a miscarriage for purposes of enabling him to effectively lend support to his wife in her period of recovery and/or in the nursing of the newly-born child. [Sec. 3, R.A. 8187]
