Seafarer’s Surviving Legitimate Spouse, a Necessary Party in a Complaint for Death Benefits

In Leonis Navigation Agency, Inc. v. Dagos,¹G.R. No. 241909, January 14, 2019. the Supreme Court ruled that the surviving legitimate spouse of the seafarer is not an indispensable party but only a necessary party in a complaint for death benefits. According to the Court, there is no law stating that only the legal spouse has the legal standing to institute a complaint to claim death benefits under the Amended Standard Terms and Conditions Governing the Overseas Employment of Filipino Seafarers On-Board Ocean-Going Ships²Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Memorandum Circular No. 10-10.. The failure to implead her will not result in the dismissal of the claim.

Further reading:

• Leonis Navigation Agency, Inc. v. Dagos, G.R. No. 241909, January 14, 2019.