GR 125903; (November, 2000) (Digest)
G.R. No. 125903; November 15, 2000
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. ROMULO SAULO, AMELIA DE LA CRUZ, and CLODUALDO DE LA CRUZ, accused. ROMULO SAULO, accused-appellant.
FACTS
Accused-appellant Romulo Saulo, together with Amelia de la Cruz and Clodualdo de la Cruz, was charged with Illegal Recruitment in Large Scale and three counts of Estafa. The information alleged that from April to May 1990, in Quezon City, the accused conspired to recruit three individuals—Beny Maligaya, Angeles Javier, and Leodigario Maullon—for overseas employment in Taiwan without securing the required license from the Department of Labor and Employment. They collected various fees totaling P35,000, P20,000, and P30,400 from the complainants, respectively. The prosecution presented evidence, including receipts and POEA certification confirming the lack of a license, showing that the accused promised jobs as factory workers in exchange for payment but failed to deliver any employment.
During trial, the complainants testified that Saulo and his co-accused represented they had the authority to deploy workers abroad. Maligaya and Javier were assured of jobs by Saulo himself, while Maullon made payments to Saulo’s wife and associates. After the promised employment failed to materialize, the complainants filed complaints with the POEA. Saulo pleaded not guilty, while his co-accused remained at large. The defense presented alibi and denial, claiming Saulo was merely assisting friends and not engaged in recruitment.
ISSUE
The primary issue is whether accused-appellant Romulo Saulo is guilty beyond reasonable doubt of Illegal Recruitment in Large Scale and three counts of Estafa.
RULING
The Supreme Court affirmed the conviction. For Illegal Recruitment in Large Scale, the Court held that the elements were proven: (1) accused undertook recruitment activities; (2) he had no valid license or authority from the DOLE; and (3) he committed the same against three or more persons individually or as a group. The POEA certification and the testimonies of three complainants established these elements. The Court ruled that illegal recruitment is deemed committed in large scale, thus a crime against public order, once it targets three or more victims, warranting the penalty of life imprisonment and a fine under Article 39(a) of the Labor Code.
Regarding Estafa under Article 315(2)(a) of the Revised Penal Code, the Court found that Saulo, through false pretenses of having the capacity to secure overseas employment, induced the complainants to part with their money. His failure to deliver the promised jobs and to return the amounts despite demands constituted fraud and misappropriation. The receipts signed by Saulo and his agents corroborated the transactions. The defense of denial and alibi cannot prevail over the positive identification and credible testimonies of the complainants. The Court modified the penalties for Estafa to indeterminate prison terms based on the amounts defrauded and ordered Saulo to pay actual damages to each complainant. The appealed decision was affirmed with modifications on the penalties for Estafa.