Sebastian, Ethan Joshua S.

Social Security Act of 2018

Agrarian Laws and Social Legislation Social Security Act of 2018
Case Digest Bartolome v SSS

Bartolome vs. SSS,

G.R. No. 192521, 12 November 2014

Facts:

Deceased John Colcol who is childless and unmarried was enrolled under the government’s
Employees’ compensation Program (ECP) while under the employ of Scanmer Maritime
Services as an electrician. An unfortunate accident resulted to his death. Petitioner who is the
biological mother of the deceased filed a claim for death benefits, such claim however was
denied by SSS on the ground that the Petitioner is no longer a beneficiary since John Colcol
was adopted by another.

Hence this petition,

Issue:

WON the petitioner is a beneficiary of the deceased

Ruling:

Yes, Firstly parental authority was transferred back to the petitioner when the adopting parents
of John Colcol died when the latter was still a minor. Furthermore the petitioner was written as a
beneficiary in the SSS application of the deceased. Indicating that the petitioner was a
dependent of the deceased.

Disposition:

WHEREFORE, the petition is hereby GRANTED. The March 17, 2010 Decision of the
Employees' Compensation Commission, in ECC Case No. SL-18483-0218-10, is REVERSED
and SET ASIDE. The ECC is hereby directed to release the benefits due to a secondary
beneficiary of the deceased covered employee John Colcol to petitioner Bernardina P.
Bartolome.