"x x x.
Aliling is entitled to Attorney’s Fees and Legal Interest
Petitioner Aliling is also entitled to attorney’s fees in the amount of ten percent (10%) of his total monetary award, having been forced to litigate in order to seek redress of his grievances, pursuant to Article 111 of the Labor Code and following our ruling inExodus International Construction Corporation v. Biscocho,[53] to wit:
In Rutaquio v. National Labor Relations Commission, this Court held that:
It is settled that in actions for recovery of wages or where an employee was forced to litigate and, thus, incur expenses to protect his rights and interest, the award of attorney’s fees is legally and morally justifiable.
In Producers Bank of the Philippines v. Court of Appeals this Court ruled that:
Attorney’s fees may be awarded when a party is compelled to litigate or to incur expenses to protect his interest by reason of an unjustified act of the other party.
While in Lambert Pawnbrokers and Jewelry Corporation,[54] the Court specifically ruled:
However, the award of attorney’s fee is warranted pursuant to Article 111 of the Labor Code. Ten (10%) percent of the total award is usually the reasonable amount of attorney’s fees awarded. It is settled that where an employee was forced to litigate and, thus, incur expenses to protect his rights and interest, the award of attorney’s fees is legally and morally justifiable.
Finally, legal interest shall be imposed on the monetary awards herein granted at the rate of 6% per annum from October 6, 2004 (date of termination) until fully paid.
x x x."
