Floresca Vs Philex Mining

PERFECTO S. FLORESCA, in his own behalf and on behalf of the minors ROMULO and NESTOR S.
FLORESCA;
and ERLINDA FLORESCA-GABUYO, PEDRO S. FLORESCA, JR., CELSO S. FLORESCA, MELBA S. FLORESCA,
JUDITH S. FLORESCA and CARMEN S. FLORESCA;
LYDIA CARAMAT VDA. DE MARTINEZ in her own behalf and on behalf of her minor children LINDA, ROMEO,
ANTONIO JEAN and ELY, all surnamed Martinez; and DANIEL MARTINEZ and TOMAS MARTINEZ;
SALUSTIANA ASPIRAS VDA. DE OBRA, in her own behalf and on behalf of her minor children JOSE, ESTELA,
JULITA SALUD and DANILO, all surnamed OBRA;
LYDIA CULBENGAN VDA. DE VILLAR, in her own behalf and on behalf of her minor children EDNA, GEORGE and
LARRY III, all surnamed VILLAR;
DOLORES LOLITA ADER VDA. DE LANUZA, in her own behalf and on behalf of her minor children EDITHA,
ELIZABETH, DIVINA, RAYMUNDO, NESTOR and AURELIO, JR. all surnamed LANUZA;
EMERENCIANA JOSE VDA. DE ISLA, in her own behalf and on behalf of her minor children JOSE, LORENZO, JR.,
MARIA, VENUS and FELIX, all surnamed ISLA, petitioners,
vs.
PHILEX MINING CORPORATION and HON. JESUS P. MORFE, Presiding Judge of Branch XIII, Court of First
Instance of Manila, respondents.
G.R. No. L-30642 April 30, 1985 J. Makasiar
Facts:
On the fateful day of June 28, 1967, out of the 48 miners who were then working at defendant PHILEX's copper mines in Tuba,
Benguet, five (5) were able to escape, 22 rescued within the next 7 days and 21 were left mercilessly to die as a result of the cave-in
and collapse of underground tunnel supports. PHILEX decided to abandon rescue operations.
Heirs of the deceased miners filed a complaint against the employer PHILEX Mining Corporation for damages based on the alleged
violation of government rules and regulations, negligently and deliberately failed to take the required precautions for the protection
of the lives of its men working underground.
A motion to dismiss dated May 14, 1968 was filed by PHILEX alleging that the causes of action of petitioners based on an industrial
accident are covered by the provisions of the Workmen's Compensation Act. The heirs of the deceased employees, namely Emerito
Obra, Larry Villar, Jr., Aurelio Lanuza, Lorenzo Isla and Saturnino Martinez submitted notices and claims for compensation but they
set up the defense that the said claims were before they learned of PHILEX’s criminal negligence and violation of law.
On December 16, 1968, respondent Hon. Jesus Morfe, Presiding Judge of Branch XIII, Court of First Instance of Manila, dismissed the
petitioners' complaint for damages on the ground of lack of jurisdiction and ruled that Workman’s Compensation Commission has
exclusive jurisdiction for work-connected deaths or injuries.
Petitioners appealed that respondent Judge failed to see the distinction between the claims for compensation under the Workmen's
Compensation Act and the claims for damages under the Civil Code. The claim for damages under the Civil Code refers to the
employer's liability for reckless and wanton negligence resulting in the death of the employees and for which the regular court has
jurisdiction to adjudicate the same.
Issue:
Whether or not the petitioners have the right to file for damages, even after receiving compensation claims based on Workmen's
Compensation Act, with the defense that they are oblivious of the fact that PHILEX is negligent of their employees’ welfare
Ruling:
In Pacana vs. Cebu Autobus Company (32 SCRA 442), the Court ruled that an injured worker has a choice of either to recover from
the employer the fixed amounts set by the Workmen's Compensation Act or to prosecute an ordinary civil action for higher damages
but he cannot pursue both courses of action simultaneously.
However, the petitioners in this case became knowledgeable of the fact that PHILEX has been negligent in its contractual obligations
only after the benefits under the Workmen's Compensation Act were received. Had they’ve been aware of said violation of
government rules and regulations by PHILEX and of its negligence, they would not have sought redress under the Workmen's
Compensation Commission which awarded a lesser amount for compensation. The choice of the first remedy was based on
ignorance or a mistake of fact, which nullifies the choice as it was not an intelligent choice. This may not preclude the petitioners
from bringing an action before the regular court. Wherefore, the trial court's order of dismissal is hereby reversed and set aside and
the case is remanded to it for further proceedings. Should a greater amount of damages be decreed in favor of herein petitioners,
the payments already made to them pursuant to the Workmen's Compensation Act shall be deducted.

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PERFECTO S. FLORESCA, in his own behalf and on behalf of the minors ROMULO and NESTOR S.

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