FACTS:

The petitioners, all seamen, entered into separate contracts of employment with Golden Light Ocean Transport, Ltd. through its local agency, private respondent ACE MARITIME AGENCIES, INC. Petitioners filed complaints for non-payment of overtime pay, vacation pay, and terminal pay, and also claimed that they were made to sign their contracts in blank. They alleged that although they agreed to render services on board the vessel Rio Colorado, they were actually deployed on MV 'SOIC I' managed by Columbus Navigation. Two of the petitioners also claimed that they were employed as ordinary seamen but performed the work and duties of Able Seamen. Private respondent failed to file its answer within the reglementary period and was declared to have waived its right to present evidence. The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) granted petitioners' claims for leave pay and overtime pay. However, the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) reversed the POEA decision and dismissed the cases for lack of merit. Petitioners appealed the NLRC decision.

ISSUES:

1. Whether the NLRC erred in reversing the POEA decision and dismissing the cases for lack of merit.

2. Whether the NLRC overlooked the fact that the private respondent failed to file its answer to the complaints with supporting documents.

RULING:

1. The Court did not provide the ruling for this case.

PRINCIPLES:

• The Labor Code provides that the rules of evidence prevailing in courts of law or equity shall not be controlling. The Commission and its members should use all reasonable means to ascertain the facts in each case speedily and objectively, without regard to technicalities of law and procedure, in the interest of due process.

• A party who is declared to have waived his right to present evidence still retains the right to appeal from an adverse judgment by attacking the propriety of the relief awarded therein.