Santiago Fabrigar worked as a janitor for the Iloilo Chinese Commercial School. He became ill while working harder than usual to prepare for graduation. He was later diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis and heart disease. Fabrigar died of beriberi adult. His widow filed a compensation claim, which was granted on the basis that his employment aggravated his pre-existing illness. The school appealed, arguing there was no employee-employer relationship. The court dismissed the appeal, finding that while the Board of Directors paid Fabrigar's wages, the school exercised control over his work.
Santiago Fabrigar worked as a janitor for the Iloilo Chinese Commercial School. He became ill while working harder than usual to prepare for graduation. He was later diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis and heart disease. Fabrigar died of beriberi adult. His widow filed a compensation claim, which was granted on the basis that his employment aggravated his pre-existing illness. The school appealed, arguing there was no employee-employer relationship. The court dismissed the appeal, finding that while the Board of Directors paid Fabrigar's wages, the school exercised control over his work.
Santiago Fabrigar worked as a janitor for the Iloilo Chinese Commercial School. He became ill while working harder than usual to prepare for graduation. He was later diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis and heart disease. Fabrigar died of beriberi adult. His widow filed a compensation claim, which was granted on the basis that his employment aggravated his pre-existing illness. The school appealed, arguing there was no employee-employer relationship. The court dismissed the appeal, finding that while the Board of Directors paid Fabrigar's wages, the school exercised control over his work.
vs. LEONORA FABRIGAR and THE WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION COMMISSION, respondents Facts: Santiago Fabrigar had been employed as a janitor-messenger of the respondent Iloilo Chinese Commercial School. His work includes sweeping and scrubbing the floors, cleaning the classrooms and the school premises, and other janitorial chores. On March 11, 1956, in preparation for the graduation, he carried desks and chairs from the classroom to the auditorium, set curtains and worked harder and faster than usual. Although he felt shortness of breath and did not feel well, he continued working. On March 13, he spat blood and stopped working. From April 29 to May 15, 1956 , he received treatment for far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis and for heart disease from Dr. Quirico Villareal. On June 28, 1956, Santiago Fabrigar died of beriberi adult. His common-law wife, Leonora Fabrigar with his heirs filed claim for compensation with the Workmens Compensation Commission wherein it was alleged tht the cause of death was pulmonary tuberculosis contracted during and as a result of his employment as janitor. The hearing officer denied the claim and dismissed the case. He concluded that there was no causal connection between the cause of death and the said employment. The decision was appealed. The Workmens compensation Commission concluded that he had been suffering from such disease and his employment as a janitor aggravated his pre-existing illness. And although there was a discrepancy between the cause of death beriberi adult and the testimony of Dr. Villareal, the latter was given credence. The commission ordered Chinese Commercial School, Inc. to pay the claimant. The decision was appealed. Petitioner contended that the Commission erred in finding that the cause of death was tuberculosis and as a result of his employment; holding that the petitioner was the employer of the deceased. Issue: whether there is an employee-employer relationship when the former is employed and paid by its Board of Directors that would warrant the heirs of the deceased employer compensation under Workmens compensation law? Held: Yes. There was an employee-employer relationship between the respondent school and the deceased. Although it is true that the Board of Directors, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce was the one who pays for the janitorial service of the school, it was still the latter who exercised supervision and control over the performance of the deceased. And the court held that power to control employees conduct is the most important test of employeremployee relation. The decision appealed from was dismissed.