J-PHIL MARINE, INC. v. NLRC
G.R. No. 175366; August 11, 2008
Ponente: J. Carpio-Morales
FACTS:
Warlito E. Dumalaog (respondent), who served as cook aboard vessels plying overseas, filed on March 4, 2002 before the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) a pro-forma complaint against petitioners — manning agency J-Phil Marine, Inc. (J-Phil), its then president Jesus Candava, and its foreign principal Norman Shipping Services — for unpaid money claims, moral and exemplary damages, and attorney's fees.
Respondent's total claim against petitioners was P864,343.30 plus P117,557.60 representing interest and P195,928.66 representing attorney's fees
By Decision of August 29, 2003, Labor Arbiter Fe Superiaso-Cellan dismissed respondent's complaint for lack of merit.
On appeal, the NLRC, by Decision of September 27, 2004, reversed the Labor Arbiter's decision.
During the pendency of the case before the Supreme Court, respondent, against the advice of his counsel, entered into a compromise agreement with petitioners. He thereupon signed a Quitclaim and Release subscribed and sworn to before the Labor Arbiter.
ISSUE:
Whether the act of Dumalaog in entering into a compromise agreement without the assistance of a counsel is proper
HELD:
Yes, the act of Dumalaog in entering into a compromise agreement without a lawyer is proper.
The Supreme Court held that the relation of attorney and client is in many respects one of agency, and the general rules of agency apply to such relation. The acts of an agent are deemed the acts of the principal only if the agent acts within the scope of his authority. The circumstances of this case indicate that respondent's counsel is acting beyond the scope of his authority in questioning the compromise agreement.
Dumalaog has undoubtedly the right to compromise a suit without the intervention of his lawyer cannot be gainsaid, the only qualification being that if such compromise is entered into with the intent of defrauding the lawyer of the fees justly due him, the compromise must be subject to the said fees.
In the case at bar, there is no showing that respondent intended to defraud his counsel of his fees.
Warlito E. Dumalaog (respondent), who served as cook aboard vessels plying overseas, filed on March 4, 2002 before the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) a pro-forma complaint against petitioners — manning agency J-Phil Marine, Inc. (J-Phil), its then president Jesus Candava, and its foreign principal Norman Shipping Services — for unpaid money claims, moral and exemplary damages, and attorney's fees.
Respondent's total claim against petitioners was P864,343.30 plus P117,557.60 representing interest and P195,928.66 representing attorney's fees
By Decision of August 29, 2003, Labor Arbiter Fe Superiaso-Cellan dismissed respondent's complaint for lack of merit.
On appeal, the NLRC, by Decision of September 27, 2004, reversed the Labor Arbiter's decision.
During the pendency of the case before the Supreme Court, respondent, against the advice of his counsel, entered into a compromise agreement with petitioners. He thereupon signed a Quitclaim and Release subscribed and sworn to before the Labor Arbiter.
ISSUE:
Whether the act of Dumalaog in entering into a compromise agreement without the assistance of a counsel is proper
HELD:
Yes, the act of Dumalaog in entering into a compromise agreement without a lawyer is proper.
The Supreme Court held that the relation of attorney and client is in many respects one of agency, and the general rules of agency apply to such relation. The acts of an agent are deemed the acts of the principal only if the agent acts within the scope of his authority. The circumstances of this case indicate that respondent's counsel is acting beyond the scope of his authority in questioning the compromise agreement.
Dumalaog has undoubtedly the right to compromise a suit without the intervention of his lawyer cannot be gainsaid, the only qualification being that if such compromise is entered into with the intent of defrauding the lawyer of the fees justly due him, the compromise must be subject to the said fees.
In the case at bar, there is no showing that respondent intended to defraud his counsel of his fees.
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