May 2025

The Court finds no merit in making any such distinction. The mere fact that the house helper or domestic servant is working within the premises of the business of the employer and in relation to or in connection with its business, as in its staff houses for its guest or even for its officers and employees, warrants the conclusion that such househelper or domestic servant is and should be considered as a regular employee of the employer and not as a mere family househelper or domestic servant as contemplated in Rule XIII, Section l(b), Book 3 of the Labor Code, as amended.

To constitute immorality, the circumstances of each particular case must be holistically considered and evaluated in light of the prevailing norms of conduct.

A person cannot falsely represent themselves as a lawyer or use a fictitious name to deceive others, as this constitutes a violation of the law. Even if the individual claims to be mistaken or provides an alibi, the act of using an alias to impersonate a professional is sufficient evidence of wrongdoing.

Referral to a third doctor is mandatory in case of disagreements between the findings of the company-designated physician and the employee’s physician of choice. Jurisprudence further holds that upon notification by the seafarer of his intention to refer the conflicting findings to a third doctor, the company carries the burden of initiating the process for referral to a third doctor, commonly agreed upon between the parties.