labor standards cases book1

8/10/2019 Labor Standards Cases Book1

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Republic of the PhilippinesSUPREME COURT

Manila

SECOND DIVISION

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES !"R" No" #$%&'( Plainti)*+ppellee

P,esent-

.UISUM/IN! 0" Chai,pe,son

* 1e,sus * C+RPIO MOR+LES TIN!+ VEL+SCO 0R" an2 /RION 00"

LOURDES V+LENCI+NO 3 P,o4ul5ate2-

D+CU/++ccuse2*+ppellant" Dece4be, #% '%%$

6*****************************************************************************************6

D E C I S I O N VEL+SCO 0R" 0"-

This is an appeal f,o4 the Decision7#8 2ate2 0ul3 '9 '%%: of the Cou,t of +ppeals ;C+< in C+*!"R" CR*H"C" No"%#=&% >hich uphel2 the Decision7'8 of the Re5ional T,ial Cou,t ;RTC< /,anch ##( in Pasa3 Cit3 in C,i4inal Case No"&:*&$?#" The RTC con1icte2 Lou,2es Valenciano of the c,i4e of Ille5al Rec,uit4ent in La,5e Scale"

The Facts

In Ma3 #&&( Lou,2es Valenciano clai4in5 to be an e4plo3ee of Mi22le East Inte,national Manpo>e,Resou,ces Inc" >ent >ith one Susie Ca,ae5 to the house of +5apito De Luna an2 tol2 hi4 he coul2 appl3 fo, a @obin Tai>an" + >eeA late, De Luna >ent to ValencianoBs house the,e to be tol2 to un2e,5o a 4e2ical e6a4ination

>ith the assu,ance that if the,e >e,e a @ob o,2e, ab,oa2 he >oul2 be able to lea1e" He >as also tol2 that theplace4ent fee fo, his e4plo34ent as a facto,3 >o,Ae, in Tai>an >as PhP :% %%%"

+fte, passin5 the 4e2ical e6a4ination De Luna pai2 Valenciano at the latte,Bs ,esi2ence the follo>in5a4ounts- PhP '% %%% on 0une '# #&&( PhP '% %%% on 0ul3 #' #&&( an2 PhP =% %%% on +u5ust '# #&&(" The ,stan2 last pa34ents >e,e tu,ne2 o1e, b3 Valenciano to Te,esita I4pe,ial >ho issue2 the co,,espon2in5 ,eceipts an2the secon2 pa34ent >as tu,ne2 o1e, b3 Valenciano to Ro2ante I4pe,ial >ho also issue2 a ,eceipt"

+lso in Ma3 #&&( Valenciano 1isite2 the house of +llan De Villa acco4panie2 b3 Eu iel N" Dela CuestaEusebio T" Can2ela,ia an2 De Luna to ,ec,uit De Villa as a facto,3 >o,Ae, in Tai>an" De Villa >as also asAe2 fo,PhP :% %%% as place4ent fee" He pai2 Valenciano the follo>in5 a4ounts- PhP '% %%% on Ma3 #( #&&( atValencianoBs ,esi2ence PhP '% %%% on Ma3 =% #&&( at the Ru,al /anA of Calaca /atan5as PhP '% %%% on 0ul3 $#&&( at ValencianoBs ,esi2ence an2 PhP #% %%% on +u5ust #9 #&&( also at he, ,esi2ence" Valenciano tu,ne2 o1e,the a4ounts to eithe, Te,esita o, Ro2ante" Te,esita issue2 ,eceipts fo, the Ma3 #( 0ul3 $ an2 +u5ust #9 #&&(pa34ents >hile Ro2ante issue2 a ,eceipt fo, the pa34ent 4a2e on Ma3 =% #&&("

On Ma3 '% #&&( Valenciano acco4panie2 b3 Ro2ante an2 Pu,in5 Ca,ae5 >ent to the house of DelaCuesta to ,ec,uit he, fo, e4plo34ent as a facto,3 >o,Ae, in Tai>an" Dela Cuesta pai2 Valenciano PhP '% %%% asinitial pa34ent on Ma3 '% #&&(" On Ma3 =% #&&( she pai2 Valenciano anothe, PhP '% %%%" On +u5ust #' #&&(she pai2 PhP #? %%% an2 on +u5ust '# #&&( she pai2 PhP : %%%" Valenciano tu,ne2 the Ma3 '% an2 =% #&&(pa34ents o1e, to Ro2ante >ho issue2 ,eceipts fo, these pa34ents" The pa34ents 4a2e on +u5ust #' an2 '##&&( >e,e tu,ne2 o1e, to Te,esita >ho also issue2 ,eceipts fo, the4" These pa34ents >e,e to co1e, theplace4ent fee an2 othe, e6penses fo, the p,ocessin5 of the ,e ui,e4ents fo, the e4plo34ent of Dela Cuesta in

Tai>an"

On Ma3 # #&&( Valenciano >ith Ro2ante Te,esita an2 Ro44el I4pe,ial >ent to Lian /atan5as to ,ec,uit>o,Ae,s fo, e4plo34ent ab,oa2" Can2ela,ia applie2 fo, a @ob as a facto,3 >o,Ae, in Tai>an >hen Valenciano >ent tohis ,esi2ence in Lian" Valenciano asAe2 hi4 fo, an initial pa34ent of PhP '% %%%" On Ma3 =% #&&( Can2ela,ia


2/60

pai2 Valenciano PhP '% %%% >hen she ,etu,ne2 to Lian" He then pai2 PhP '% %%% on 0une '9 #&&( an2 PhP '& %%%on 0ul3 #: #&&( at ValencianoBs ,esi2ence in Manila" These pa34ents >e,e to co1e, the place4ent fee an2 thee6penses fo, the p,ocessin5 of his passpo,t an2 othe, pape,s connecte2 >ith his application fo, e4plo34ent as afacto,3 >o,Ae, in Tai>an" The pa34ents 4a2e on Ma3 =% an2 0ul3 #: #&&( >e,e tu,ne2 o1e, to Ro2ante >hoissue2 a ,eceipt fo, the sai2 pa34ents" The pa34ent 4a2e on 0une '9 #&&( >as tu,ne2 o1e, b3 Valenciano to

Te,esita"

+fte, the pa34ents >e,e 4a2e Valenciano b,ou5ht the p,ospecti1e >o,Ae,s to the oGce of Mi22le EastInte,national Manpo>e, Resou,ces Inc" in Pasa3 Cit3 >he,e the3 >e,e 4a2e to ll out application fo,4s fo, thei,e4plo34ent as facto,3 >o,Ae,s in Tai>an" The co4plainants >e,e int,o2uce2 to Ro4eo Ma, ue alias Ro2anteI4pe,ial Te,esita Ma, ue alias Te,esita I4pe,ial an2 Ro44el Ma, ue alias Ro44el I4pe,ial >ho4Valenciano 4a2e to appea, as the o>ne,s of the e4plo34ent a5enc3" She assu,e2 the p,ospecti1e >o,Ae,s thatthe3 coul2 lea1e fo, Tai>an >ithin one 4onth f,o4 the lin5 of thei, applications" Du,in5 the pe,io2 4ate,ial the3ha1e not 3et foun2 e4plo34ent as facto,3 >o,Ae,s in Tai>an"

Valenciano Ro2ante Te,esita an2 Ro44el >e,e cha,5e2 >ith the o)ense of ille5al ,ec,uit4ent in la,5escale as 2e ne2 un2e, +,ticle #=;b< of P,esi2ential Dec,ee No" ;PD< 99' othe,>ise Ano>n as the Labo, Co2e of thePhilippines as a4en2e2 in ,elation to +,t" =$;a< an2 penali e2 un2e, +,t" =&;c< of the Co2e as a4en2e2 b3 PD#&'% an2 PD '%#$" The Info,4ation ,ea2s as follo>s-

That so4eti4e in Ma3 #&&( to +u5ust #&&( o, the,eabout in the Cit3 of Pasa3 Met,o Manila Philippinesan2 >ithin the @u,is2iction of this Hono,able Cou,t the abo1e*na4e2 accuse2 ,ep,esentin5 to ha1e the capacit3autho,it3 o, license to cont,act enlist an2 2eplo3 o, t,anspo,t >o,Ae,s fo, o1e,seas e4plo34ent conspi,in5confe2e,atin5 an2 4utuall3 helpin5 each othe, 2i2 then an2 the,e >ilfull3 unla>full3 an2 c,i4inall3 ,ec,uit an2p,o4ise to 2eplo3 the he,ein co4plainants na4el3 +5apito R" De Luna +llan Ila5an De Villa Eu iel N" Dela Cuestaan2 Eusebio T" Can2ela,ia as facto,3 >o,Ae,s in Tai>an in e6chan5e fo, place4ent p,ocessin5 an2 othe, fees,an5in5 f,o4 P(' %%%"%% to P:% %%%"%% o, a total of P':# %%%"%% >ithout ,st obtainin5 the ,e ui,e2 license an2Jo,autho,it3 f,o4 the Philippine O1e,seas E4plo34ent +24inist,ation ;POE+ai1e2 the p,e*t,ial" The othe, th,ee accuse2 ,e4aine2

at la,5e"

The RTC foun2 accuse2*appellant 5uilt3 the 2ispositi1e po,tion of the 2ecision ,ea2in5 as follo>s-

HEREFORE accuse2 Lou,2es Valenciano 3 Dacuba is foun2 5uilt3 be3on2 ,easonable 2oubt of the o)enseof ille5al ,ec,uit4ent in la,5e scale as cha,5e2 in the afo,e uote2 Info,4ation an2 she is sentence2 to su)e, the

penalt3 of life i4p,ison4ent an2 to pa3 a ne of P#%% %%%"%%"

She is also o,2e,e2 to in2e4nif3 co4plainants +5apito R" 2e Luna +llan Ila5an 2e Villa Eu iel N" 2elaCuesta an2 Eusebio T" Can2ela,ia the a4ounts of P:% %%%"%% P:% %%%"%% P(' %%%"%% an2 P(& %%%"%%,especti1el3 as ,epa,ation of the 2a4a5e cause2"

No othe, ci1il liabilit3 4a3 be a2@u25e2 a5ainst the accuse2 fo, lacA of an3 factual o, le5al basis the,efo,"

SO ORDERED"798

+ccuse2*appellant appeale2 to this Cou,t but the case >as t,ansfe,,e2 to the C+ th,ou5h a Resolution 2ate2Septe4be, ( '%%9 follo>in5 People 1" Mateo"7?8

The C+ in C+*!"R" CR*H"C" No" %#=&% aG,4e2 the 2ecision of the t,ial cou,t n2in5 accuse2*appellant 5uilt3 of theo)ense cha,5e2"

Hence >e ha1e this appeal"

The Issues

+ccuse2*appellant ,aises the follo>in5 assi5n4ent of e,,o,s- ;#< the lo>e, cou,t 5,a1el3 e,,e2 in notac uittin5 accuse2*appellant on ,easonable 2oubt an2 ;'< the lo>e, cou,t 5,a1el3 e,,e2 in hol2in5 that aconspi,ac3 e6ists bet>een accuse2*appellant an2 he, co*accuse2"


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The Cou,tBs Rulin5

The appeal is >ithout 4e,it"

In he, 2efense accuse2*appellant clai4s that she >as an o,2ina,3 e4plo3ee of Mi22le East Inte,nationalManpo>e, Resou,ces Inc" >he,e he, othe, co*accuse2 >e,e the o>ne,s an2 4ana5e,s" She also 2enies ,ecei1in5pa34ent f,o4 the co4plainants that ha2 she p,o4ise2 e4plo34ent in Tai>an this p,o4ise >as 4a2e in thepe,fo,4ance of he, 2uties as a cle,A in the co4pan3" She 2enies too ha1in5 Ano>le25e of the c,i4inal intent of he,co*accuse2 a22in5 that she 4i5ht e1en be ,e5a,2e2 as a 1icti4 in the p,esent case as she >as in 5oo2 faith >henshe 4a2e the p,o4ise"

+,t" #=;b< of the Labo, Co2e ,ea2s-

Rec,uit4ent an2 place4ent ,efe,s to an3 act of can1assin5 enlistin5 cont,actin5 t,anspo,tin5 utili in5 hi,in5o, p,ocu,in5 >o,Ae,s an2 inclu2es ,efe,,als cont,act se,1ices p,o4isin5 o, a21e,tisin5 fo, e4plo34ent locall3 o,ab,oa2 >hethe, fo, p,o t o, not- P,o1i2e2 That an3 pe,son o, entit3 >hich in an3 4anne, o)e,s o, p,o4ises fo, afee e4plo34ent to t>o o, 4o,e pe,sons shall be 2ee4e2 en5a5e2 in ,ec,uit4ent an2 place4ent"

+,t" =$;a< an2 ;b< of the Labo, Co2e ,ea2s as follo>s-

;a< +n3 ,ec,uit4ent acti1ities inclu2in5 the p,ohibite2 p,actices enu4e,ate2 un2e, +,ticle =9 of this Co2e tobe un2e,taAen b3 non*licensees o, non*hol2e,s of autho,it3 shall be 2ee4e2 ille5al an2 punishable un2e, +,ticle =&of this Co2e" 6 6 6

;b< Ille5al ,ec,uit4ent >hen co44itte2 b3 a s3n2icate o, in la,5e scale shall be consi2e,e2 an o)ensein1ol1in5 econo4ic sabota5e an2 shall be penali e2 in acco,2ance >ith +,ticle =& he,eof"

Ille5al ,ec,uit4ent is 2ee4e2 co44itte2 b3 a s3n2icate if ca,,ie2 out b3 a 5,oup of th,ee ;=< o, 4o,e pe,sonsconspi,in5 an2Jo, confe2e,atin5 >ith one anothe, in ca,,3in5 out an3 unla>ful o, ille5al t,ansaction ente,p,ise o,sche4e 2e ne2 un2e, the ,st pa,a5,aph he,eof" Ille5al ,ec,uit4ent is 2ee4e2 co44itte2 in la,5e scale ifco44itte2 a5ainst th,ee ;=< o, 4o,e pe,sons in2i1i2uall3 o, as a 5,oup"

+,t" =&;a< p,o1i2es that the penalt3 of life i4p,ison4ent an2 a ne of PhP #%% %%% shall be i4pose2 if ille5al,ec,uit4ent constitutes econo4ic sabota5e as 2e ne2 abo1e"

The clai4 of accuse2*appellant that she >as a 4e,e e4plo3ee of he, othe, co*accuse2 2oes not ,elie1e he, ofliabilit3" +n e4plo3ee of a co4pan3 o, co,po,ation en5a5e2 in ille5al ,ec,uit4ent 4a3 be hel2 liable as p,incipalto5ethe, >ith his e4plo3e, if i t is sho>n that the e4plo3ee acti1el3 an2 consciousl3 pa,ticipate2 in ille5al

,ec,uit4ent"7(8 +s testi e2 to b3 the co4plainants accuse2*appellant >as a4on5 those >ho 4et an2 t,ansacte2>ith the4 ,e5a,2in5 the @ob place4ent o)e,s" In so4e instances she 4a2e the e)o,t to 5o to thei, houses to,ec,uit the4" She e1en 5a1e assu,ances that the3 >oul2 be able to n2 e4plo34ent ab,oa2 an2 lea1e fo, Tai>anafte, the lin5 of thei, applications" +ccuse2*appellant >as clea,l3 en5a5e2 in ,ec,uit4ent acti1itiesnot>ithstan2in5 he, 5,atuitous p,otestation that he, actions >e,e 4e,el3 2one in the cou,se of he, e4plo34ent asa cle,A"

+ccuse2*appellant cannot clai4 to be 4e,el3 follo>in5 the 2ictates of he, e4plo3e,s an2 use 5oo2 faith as a shiel2a5ainst c,i4inal liabilit3" +s hel2 in People 1" !utie,,e -

+ppellant cannot escape liabilit3 b3 clai4in5 that she >as not a>a,e that befo,e >o,Ain5 fo, he, e4plo3e, in the,ec,uit4ent a5enc3 she shoul2 ,st be ,e5iste,e2 >ith the POE+" Ille5al ,ec,uit4ent in la,5e scale is 4alu4p,ohibitu4 not 4alu4 in se" !oo2 faith is not a 2efense"7:8

The clai4 of accuse2*appellant that she ,ecei1e2 no pa34ent an2 that the pa34ents >e,e han2e2 2i,ectl3 o1e, tohe, co*accuse2 fails in the face of the testi4on3 of the co4plainants that accuse2*appellant >as the one >ho,ecei1e2 the 4one3" In spite of the ,eceipts ha1in5 been issue2 b3 he, co*accuse2 the t,ial cou,t foun2 thatpa34ents >e,e 2i,ectl3 4a2e to accuse2*appellant an2 this n2in5 >as uphel2 b3 the C+" Nothin5 is 4o,eent,enche2 than the ,ule that >he,e as he,e the n2in5s of fact of the t,ial cou,t a,e aG,4e2 b3 the C+ these a,e

nal an2 conclusi1e upon this Cou,t"7$8 +n2 e1en if it >e,e t,ue that no 4one3 chan5e2 han2s 4one3 is not4ate,ial to a p,osecution fo, ille5al ,ec,uit4ent as the 2e nition of ,ec,uit4ent an2 place4ent in the Labo, Co2einclu2es the ph,ase >hethe, fo, p,o t o, not" e hel2 in People 1" 0a4ilosa that it >as suGcient that theaccuse2 p,o4ises o, o)e,s fo, a fee e4plo34ent to >a,,ant con1iction fo, ille5al ,ec,uit4ent" 7&8 +ccuse2*appellant 4a2e ,ep,esentations that co4plainants >oul2 ,ecei1e e4plo34ent ab,oa2 an2 this suGces fo, he,con1iction e1en if he, na4e 2oes not appea, on the ,eceipts issue2 to co4plainants as e1i2ence that pa34ent >as4a2e"


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Neithe, accuse2*appellant no, he, co*accuse2 ha2 autho,it3 to ,ec,uit >o,Ae,s fo, o1e,seas e4plo34ent" ThePhilippine O1e,seas E4plo34ent +24inist,ation ;POE+< th,ou5h its e4plo3ee Co,a on + uino issue2 on 0ul3 $#&&: the follo>in5 ce,ti cation to that e)ect-

This is to ce,tif3 that pe, a1ailable ,eco,2s of this OGce MIDDLE E+ST INTERN+TION+L M+NPO ER RESOURCESINC" >ith oGce a22,ess at '##& P" /u,5os St" co," !il Pu3at +1e" Pasa3 Cit3 ,ep,esente2 b3 S+PHI+ C+L+M+T++S++D is a license2 lan2base2 a5enc3 >hose license e6pi,e2 on Octobe, #= #&&(" Pe, ,eco,2 sai2 a5enc3 has not

le2 an3 application fo, ,ene>al of license"

Pe, a1ailable ,eco,2s the na4es of ROD+NTE IMPERI+L a"A"a" ROMEO M+R.UE TERESIT+ IMPERI+L a"A"a" TERESIT+ M+R.UE ROMMEL M+R.UE a"A"a" ROMMEL IMPERI+L an2 LOURDES V+LENCI+NO 2o not appea, on thelist of e4plo3ees sub4itte2 b3 a5enc3"

This ce,ti cation is bein5 issue2 fo, >hate1e, le5al pu,pose it 4a3 se,1e"7#%8

+nothe, ce,ti cation 2ate2 0ul3 & #&&: state2 that accuse2*appellant in he, pe,sonal capacit3 >as not license2 o,autho,i e2 to ,ec,uit >o,Ae,s fo, o1e,seas e4plo34ent an2 that an3 ,ec,uit4ent acti1ities un2e,taAen b3 he, a,eille5al"7##8 +ccuse2*appellant coul2 thus point to no autho,it3 allo>in5 he, to ,ec,uit co4plainants as she >as notan e4plo3ee of Mi22le East Inte,national Manpo>e, Resou,ces Inc" no, >as she allo>e2 to 2o so in he, pe,sonalcapacit3" Fu,the,4o,e she un2e,tooA ,ec,uit4ent acti1ities outsi2e the p,e4ises of the oGce of a license2,ec,uit4ent a5enc3 >hich can onl3 be 2one >ith the p,io, app,o1al of the POE+ an2 neithe, she no, he, co*accuse2 ha2 pe,4ission to 2o so as testi e2 b3 + uino of the POE+"7#'8

+ccuse2*appellant >as con1icte2 of Ille5al Rec,uit4ent in La,5e Scale an2 the,e coul2 be no othe, ,esult" +s hel2in 0a4ilosa-

To p,o1e ille5al ,ec,uit4ent in la,5e scale the p,osecution is bu,2ene2 to p,o1e th,ee ;=< essential

ele4ents to >it- ;#< the pe,son cha,5e2 un2e,tooA a ,ec,uit4ent acti1it3 un2e, +,ticle #=;b< o, an3 p,ohibite2p,actice un2e, +,ticle =9 of the Labo, Co2e ;'< accuse2 2i2 not ha1e the license o, the autho,it3 to la>full3 en5a5ein the ,ec,uit4ent an2 place4ent of >o,Ae,s an2 ;=< accuse2 co44itte2 the sa4e a5ainst th,ee o, 4o,e pe,sonsin2i1i2uall3 o, as a 5,oup"7#=8 6 6 6

The RTC foun2 accuse2*appellant to ha1e un2e,taAen ,ec,uit4ent acti1ities an2 this >as aG,4e2 b3 the C+" +POE+ ce,ti cation >as sub4itte2 statin5 that accuse2*appellant >as not autho,i e2 to ,ec,uit applicants fo,o1e,seas e4plo34ent an2 she 2i2 not contest this ce,ti cation" In the p,esent case the,e a,e fou, co4plainants-De Luna De Villa Dela Cuesta an2 Can2ela,ia" The th,ee essential ele4ents fo, ille5al ,ec,uit4ent in la,5e scalea,e p,esent" Thus the,e can be no othe, conclusion in this case but to uphol2 the con1iction of accuse2*appellant

an2 appl3 the penalt3 as i4pose2 b3 la>"

HEREFORE p,e4ises consi2e,e2 >e +FFIRM the appeale2 C+ Decision 2ate2 0ul3 '9 '%%: in C+*!"R" CR*H"C"No" %#=&% >ith no costs"

SO ORDERED"

THIRD DIVISION

/ECMEN SERVICE E PORTER !"R" Nos" #$'&:$*:&+ND PROMOTION INC" Petitione, P,esent-

Kna,es*Santia5o 0";Chai,pe,son< * 1e,sus * Ca,pio Mo,ales

Chico*Na a,io Nachu,a an2 Pe,alta 00"

SPOUSES SIMPLICIO an2 MIL+CU+RESM+ ;fo, an2 in behalf of thei, 2au5hte, 0as4in !" Cua,es4a


5/60

HITE F+LCON SERVICES INC"an2 0+IME ORTI ;P,esi2ent

hite Falcon Se,1ices Inc"< Respon2ents"

6 ****************************************************** 6

SPOUSES SIMPLICIO an2 MIL+ !"R" Nos" #$9'&$*&&CU+RESM+ ;fo, an2 in behalf of thei, 2au5hte, 0as4in !" Cua,es4a< Petitione,s

* 1e,sus *

HITE F+LCON SERVICES INC" P,o4ul5ate2-an2 /ECMEN SERVICE E PORTER+ND PROMOTION INC"

Respon2ents" +p,il : '%%&

6 **************************************************************************************** 6

DECISION

KN+RES*S+NTI+!O 0"-

These consoli2ate2 petitions assail the +4en2e2 Decision7#8 of the Cou,t of +ppeals 2ate2 Ma3 #9 '%%$ in C+*!"R"SP No" $%(#& an2 C+*!"R" SP No" $#%=% n2in5 hite Falcon Se,1ices Inc" an2 /ec4en Se,1ice E6po,te, an2P,o4otion Inc" soli2a,il3 liable to in2e4nif3 spouses Si4plicio an2 Mila Cua,es4a the a4ount of US 9 ($(":= inactual 2a4a5es >ith inte,est"

On 0anua,3 ( #&&: 0as4in Cua,es4a ;0as4in< >as 2eplo3e2 b3 /ec4en Se,1ice E6po,te, an2 P,o4otion Inc"7'8;/ec4en< to se,1e as assistant nu,se in +l*/i,A Hospital in the Qin52o4 of Sau2i +,abia ;QS+< fo, a cont,act2u,ation of th,ee 3ea,s >ith a co,,espon2in5 sala,3 of US '9:"%% pe, 4onth"

O1e, a 3ea, late, she 2ie2 alle5e2l3 of poisonin5"

0essie Fa@a,2o a co*>o,Ae, of 0as4in na,,ate2 that on 0une '# #&&$ 0as4in >as foun2 2ea2 b3 a fe4ale cleane,l3in5 on the oo, insi2e he, 2o,4ito,3 ,oo4 >ith he, 4outh foa4in5 an2 s4ellin5 of poison"7=8

/ase2 on the police ,epo,t an2 the 4e2ical ,epo,t of the e6a4inin5 ph3sician of the +l*/i,A Hospital >ho con2ucte2an autops3 of 0as4inBs bo23 the liAel3 cause of he, 2eath >as poisonin5" Thus-

+cco,2in5 to lette, No" #&& 2ate2 ':"'"#9#&H issue2 b3 +l*/i,A Police Station fo, e6a4inin5 the co,pse of 0as4inCua,es4a #'"'% P"M" ':"'"#9#&H Sun2a3 at +l*/i,A Hospital"

#" The Police Repo,t on the Death'" The Me2ical Dia5nosis

Se6- Fe4ale +5e- '? 3ea,s Rel5- Ch,istian

The sai2 pe,son >as b,ou5ht to the E4e,5enc3 Roo4 of the hospital ti4e #'"'% P"M" an2 she >as unconsciousblue no pulse no ,espi,ation an2 the ,st ai2 es2 un2e,taAen but >ithout success"

=" Dia5nosis an2 Opinion- Halt in bloo2 ci,culation ,espi,ato,3 s3ste4 an2 b,ain 2a4a5e 2ue to an appa,entpoisonin5 >hich is un2e, in1esti5ation"798

Na4e- 0as4in Cua,es4aSe6- Fe4aleMa,ital Status- Sin5le Nationalit3- Philipino ;sice,e no e6te,nal in@u,ies" LiAel3 poisonin5 b3 taAin5 poisonous substance 3et not2ete,4ine2" The,e >as a ba2 s4ell in the 4outh an2 unAno>n to us"7?8 ;E4phasis supplie2as ,epat,iate2 to Manila on Septe4be, = #&&$" The follo>in5 2a3 the Cit3 Health OGce, ofCabanatuan Cit3 con2ucte2 an autops3 an2 the ,esultin5 4e2ical ,epo,t in2icate2 that 0as4in 2ie2 un2e, 1iolentci,cu4stances an2 not poisonin5 as o,i5inall3 foun2 b3 the QS+ e6a4inin5 ph3sician" The Cit3 Health OGce, foun2that 0as4in ha2 ab,asions at he, inne, lip an2 5u4s lace,ate2 >oun2s an2 ab,asions on he, left an2 ,i5ht ea,slace,ate2 >oun2s an2 he4ato4a ;contusions< on he, elbo>s ab,asions an2 he4ato4a on he, thi5h an2 le5sint,a*4uscula, he4o,,ha5e at the ante,io, chest ,ib f,actu,e punctu,e >oun2s an2 ab,asions on the labia 4ino,aof the 1a5inal a,ea"7(8

On Ma,ch ## #&&& 0as4inBs ,e4ains >e,e e6hu4e2 an2 e6a4ine2 b3 the National /u,eau of In1esti5ation ;N/Iin5 a4ounts- P?% %%%"%% fo, 2eath bene tsP?% %%%"%% fo, loss of life P'% %%%"%% fo, fune,al e6penses an2 P#% %%%"%% fo, 4e2ical ,ei4bu,se4ent"

On No1e4be, '' #&&& the Cua,es4as le2 a co4plaint a5ainst /ec4en an2 its p,incipal in the QS+ Ra@ab Silsilah Co4pan3 ;Ra@ab< clai4in5 2eath an2 insu,ance bene ts as >ell as 4o,al an2 e6e4pla,3 2a4a5es fo,

0as4inBs 2eath"7$8

In thei, co4plaint the Cua,es4as clai4 that 0as4inBs 2eath >as >o,A*,elate2 ha1in5 occu,,e2 at the e4plo3e,Bsp,e4ises 7&8 that un2e, 0as4inBs cont,act >ith /ec4en she is entitle2 to i a4a insu,ance co1e,a5e that 0as4inis entitle2 to co4pensato,3 2a4a5es in the a4ount of US #%= :9%"%% >hich is the su4 total of he, 4onthl3 sala,3of US '9:"%% pe, 4onth un2e, he, e4plo34ent cont,act 4ultiplie2 b3 =? 3ea,s ;o, the ,e4ainin5 3ea,s of he,p,o2ucti1e life ha2 2eath not supe,1ene2 at a5e '? assu4in5 that she li1e2 an2 >oul2 ha1e ,eti,e2 at a5e (%as a55,a1ate2 b3 n2in5s in the autops3 an2 e6hu4ation,epo,ts >hich e1i2entl3 sho> that a 5,a1e in@ustice has been co44itte2 a5ainst the4 an2 thei, 2au5hte, fo, >hichthose ,esponsible shoul2 liAe>ise be 4a2e to pa3 4o,al an2 e6e4pla,3 2a4a5es an2 atto,ne3Bs fees"

In thei, position pape, /ec4en an2 Ra@ab insist that 0as4in co44itte2 suici2e citin5 a p,io, unsuccessful suici2eatte4pt so4eti4e in Ma,ch o, +p,il #&&$ an2 ,el3in5 on the 4e2ical ,epo,t of the e6a4inin5 ph3sician of the +l*/i,A Hospital" The3 liAe>ise 2en3 liabilit3 because the Cua,es4as al,ea23 ,eco1e,e2 2eath an2 othe, bene tstotalin5 P#=% %%%"%% f,o4 the O +" The3 insist that the Cua,es4as a,e not entitle2 to i a4a insu,ancebecause this ,efe,s to the issuance not insu,ance of i a4a o, ,esi2enc3J>o,A pe,4it ,e ui,e2 in the QS+" Onthe issue of 4o,al an2 e6e4pla,3 2a4a5es the3 clai4 that the Cua,es4as a,e not entitle2 to the sa4e becausethe3 ha1e not acte2 >ith f,au2 no, ha1e the3 been in ba2 faith in han2lin5 0as4inBs case"

hile the case >as pen2in5 /ec4en le2 a 4anifestation an2 4otion fo, substitution alle5in5 that Ra@abte,4inate2 thei, a5enc3 ,elationship an2 ha2 appointe2 hite Falcon Se,1ices Inc" ; hite Falcon< as its ne>,ec,uit4ent a5ent in the Philippines" Thus hite Falcon >as i4plea2e2 as ,espon2ent as >ell an2 it a2opte2 an2,eite,ate2 /ec4enBs a,5u4ents in the position pape, it subse uentl3 le2"

On Feb,ua,3 '$ '%%# the Labo, +,bite, ,en2e,e2 a Decision7#%8 2is4issin5 the co4plaint fo, lacA of 4e,it" !i1in5>ei5ht to the 4e2ical ,epo,t of the +l*/i,A Hospital n2in5 that 0as4in 2ie2 of poisonin5 the Labo, +,bite,conclu2e2 that 0as4in co44itte2 suici2e" In an3 case 0as4inBs 2eath >as not se,1ice*connecte2 no, >as it sho>nthat it occu,,e2 >hile she >as on 2ut3 besi2es he, pa,ents ha1e ,ecei1e2 all co,,espon2in5 bene ts the3 >e,eentitle2 to un2e, the la>" In ,e5a,2 to 2a4a5es the Labo, +,bite, foun2 no le5al basis to >a,,ant a 5,ant the,eof"

On appeal the National Labo, Relations Co44ission ;Co44ission< ,e1e,se2 the 2ecision of the Labo, +,bite,"Rel3in5 on the n2in5s of the Cit3 Health OGce, of Cabanatuan Cit3 an2 the N/I as containe2 in thei, autops3 an2to6icolo53 ,epo,t ,especti1el3 the Co44ission 1ia its No1e4be, '' '%%' Resolution7##8 2ecla,e2 that base2 onsubstantial e1i2ence a22uce2 0as4in >as the 1icti4 of co4pensable >o,A*connecte2 c,i4inal a55,ession" It2is,e5a,2e2 the +l*/i,A Hospital atten2in5 ph3sicianBs ,epo,t as >ell as the QS+ police ,epo,t n2in5 the sa4e to beinconclusi1e" It 2ecla,e2 that 0as4inBs 2eath >as the ,esult of an acci2ent occu,,in5 >ithin the e4plo3e,Bsp,e4ises that is att,ibutable to he, e4plo34ent o, to the con2itions un2e, >hich she li1e2 an2 thus a,ose out ofan2 in the cou,se of he, e4plo34ent as nu,se" Thus the Cua,es4as a,e entitle2 to actual 2a4a5es in the fo,4 of


7/60

0as4inBs lost ea,nin5s inclu2in5 futu,e ea,nin5s in the total a4ount of US ##= %%%"%%" The Co44ission ho>e1e,2is4isse2 all othe, clai4s in the co4plaint"

/ec4en Ra@ab an2 hite Falcon 4o1e2 fo, ,econsi2e,ation >he,eupon the Co44ission issue2 its Octobe, & '%%=Resolution7#'8 ,e2ucin5 the a>a,2 of US ##= %%%"%% as actual 2a4a5es to US $% %%%"%%"7#=8 The NLRC liAe>ise2ecla,e2 /ec4en an2 hite Falcon as soli2a,il3 liable fo, pa34ent of the a>a,2"

/ec4en an2 hite Falcon b,ou5ht sepa,ate petitions fo, ce,tio,a,i to the Cou,t of +ppeals"7#98 On 0une '$ '%%(the appellate cou,t ,en2e,e2 its Decision 7#?8 the 2ispositi1e po,tion of >hich ,ea2s as follo>s-

HEREFORE the sub@ect petitions a,e DENIED but in the e6ecution of the 2ecision it shoul2 ,st be enfo,ce2a5ainst hite Falcon Se,1ices an2 then a5ainst /ec4en Se,1ices >hen it is al,ea23 i4possible i4p,actical an2futile to 5o a5ainst it ; hite Falconas co4pensable the sa4e ha1in5 occu,,e2at the 2o,4ito,3 >hich >as cont,actuall3 p,o1i2e2 b3 the e4plo3e," Thus he, 2eath shoul2 be consi2e,e2 to ha1eoccu,,e2 >ithin the e4plo3e,Bs p,e4ises a,isin5 out of an2 in the cou,se of he, e4plo34ent"

/ec4en an2 hite Falcon 4o1e2 fo, ,econsi2e,ation" On Ma3 #9 '%%$ the appellate cou,t ,en2e,e2 the assaile2+4en2e2 Decision the 2ispositi1e po,tion of >hich ,ea2s as follo>s-

HEREFORE the 4otions fo, ,econsi2e,ation a,e !R+NTED" +cco,2in5l3 the a>a,2 of US $% %%%"%% in actual2a4a5es is he,eb3 ,e2uce2 to US 9 ($(":= plus inte,est at the le5al ,ate co4pute2 f,o4 the ti4e it beca4e 2ueuntil full3 pai2" Petitione,s a,e he,eb3 a2@u25e2 @ointl3 an2 soli2a,il3 liable >ith the e4plo3e, fo, the 4oneta,3a>a,2s >ith /ec4en Se,1ice E6po,te, an2 P,o4otions Inc" ha1in5 a ,i5ht of ,ei4bu,se4ent f,o4 hite FalconSe,1ices Inc"

SO ORDERED"7#:8

In the +4en2e2 Decision the Cou,t of +ppeals foun2 that althou5h 0as4inBs 2eath >as co4pensable ho>e1e,the,e is no e1i2entia,3 basis to suppo,t an a>a,2 of actual 2a4a5es in the a4ount of US $% %%%"%%" No, 4a3 lostea,nin5s be collecte2 because the sa4e 4a3 be cha,5e2 onl3 a5ainst the pe,pet,ato, of the c,i4e o, uasi*2elict"Instea2 the appellate cou,t hel2 that 0as4inBs bene cia,ies shoul2 be entitle2 onl3 to the su4 e ui1alent of the,e4ain2e, of he, =(*4onth e4plo34ent cont,act o, he, 4onthl3 sala,3 of US '9:"%% 4ultiplie2 b3 nineteen ;#&ith le5al inte,est"

/ec4en le2 the instant petition fo, ,e1ie> on ce,tio,a,i ;!"R" Nos" #$'&:$*:& befo,e us 1ia !"R" Nos"#$9'&$*&&"

On Octobe, ( '%%$ the Cou,t ,esol1e2 to consoli2ate !"R" Nos" #$9'&$*&& >ith !"R" Nos" #$'&:$*:&"

In !"R" Nos" #$'&:$*:& /ec4en ,aises the follo>in5 issues fo, ou, ,esolution-

;THE COURT OF +PPE+LS< !R+VELK ERRED HEN IT !+VE MORE CREDENCE +ND EI!HT TO THE +UTOPSK REPORTCONDUCTED /K THE C+/+N+TU+N CITK HE+LTH OFFICE TH+N THE MEDIC+L +ND POLICE REPORTS ISSUED /K THEMINISTRK OF HE+LTH OF QIN!DOM OF S+UDI +R+/I+ +ND +L*/IRQ HOSPIT+L"

;THE COURT OF +PPE+LS< !R+VELK ERRED HEN ON THE /+SIS OF THE POSITION P+PERS +ND +NNE ES THERETOINCLUDIN! THE +UTOPSK REPORT IT CONCLUDED TH+T THE DE+TH OF 0+SMIN CU+RESM+ +S C+USED /KCRIMIN+L +!!RESSION"

;THE COURT OF +PPE+LS< !R+VELK ERRED HEN IT HELD TH+T THE DE+TH OF 0+SMIN CU+RESM+ +SCOMPENS+/LE PURSU+NT TO THE RULIN! OF THE SUPREME COURT IN T+LLER VS" KNCH+USTI !"R" NO" =?:9#DECEM/ER '% #&=' HICH IT FOUND TO /E STILL !OOD L+ "

;THE COURT OF +PPE+LS< !R+VELK ERRED HEN IT HELD /ECMEN LI+/LE FOR THE DE+TH OF 0+SMIN CU+RESM+NOT ITHST+NDIN! ITS +DMISSIONS TH+T I.+M+ INSUR+NCE +S + TKPO!R+PHIC+L ERROR SINCE I.+M+ ISNOT +N INSUR+NCE"

;THE COURT OF +PPE+LS< !R+VELK ERRED HEN IT CONCLUDED TH+T THE DE+TH OF 0+SMIN +S ORQ REL+TED"

;THE COURT OF +PPE+LS< !R+VELK ERRED HEN IT HELD /ECMEN LI+/LE TO 0+SMINBS /ENEFICI+RIES FOR THEREM+INDER OF HER =(*MONTH CONTR+CT COMPUTED IN THIS M+NNER- MONTHLK S+L+RK OF US '9("(:


8/60

MULTIPLIED /K #& MONTHS THE REM+INDER OF THE TERM OF 0+SMINBS EMPLOKMENT CONTR+CT IS E.U+L TOUS 9 ($(":="

;THE COURT OF +PPE+LS< !R+VELK ERRED HEN IT HELD /ECMEN LI+/LE TO P+K INTEREST +T THE LE!+L R+TEFROM THE TIME IT +S DUE UNTIL FULLK P+ID"

;THE COURT OF +PPE+LS< !R+VELK ERRED HEN IT HELD /ECMEN +ND HITE F+LCON 0OINTLK +ND SEVER+LLKLI+/LE ITH THE EMPLOKER NOT ITHST+NDIN! THE +SSUMPTION OF LI+/ILITK E ECUTED /K HITE F+LCON INF+VOR OF /ECMEN"

On the othe, han2 in !"R" Nos" #$9'&$*&& the Cua,es4as ,aise the follo>in5 issues-

;THE COURT OF +PPE+LS< !R+VELK ERRED IN +PPLKIN! THE PROVISIONS OF THE CIVIL CODE CONSIDERED!ENER+L L+ DESPITE THE C+SE /EIN! COVERED /K E"O" '9: R"+" $%9' +ND L+/OR CODE CONSIDERED +SSPECI+L L+ S"

;THE COURT OF +PPE+LS< !R+VELK ERRED IN NOT +PPLKIN! THE DECE+SEDBS FUTURE E+RNIN!S HICH IS ;+Nhethe, the Cua,es4as a,e entitle2 to 4oneta,3 clai4s b3 >a3 of bene ts an22a4a5es fo, the 2eath of thei, 2au5hte, 0as4in"

The te,4s an2 con2itions of 0as4inBs #&&( E4plo34ent +5,ee4ent >hich she an2 he, e4plo3e, Ra@ab f,eel3ente,e2 into constitute the la> bet>een the4" +s a ,ule stipulations in an e4plo34ent cont,act not cont,a,3 tostatutes public polic3 public o,2e, o, 4o,als ha1e the fo,ce of la> bet>een the cont,actin5 pa,ties"7#$8 +ne6a4ination of sai2 e4plo34ent a5,ee4ent sho>s that it p,o1i2es fo, no othe, 4oneta,3 o, othe,bene tsJp,i1ile5es than the follo>in5-

#" # =%% ,ials ;o, US '9:"%%< 4onthl3 sala,3

'" F,ee ai, ticAets to QS+ at the sta,t of he, cont,act an2 to the Philippines at the en2 the,eof as >ell asfo, he, 1acation at the en2 of each t>ent3 fou,*4onth se,1ice

=" T,anspo,tation to an2 f,o4 >o,A

9" F,ee li1in5 acco44o2ations

?" F,ee 4e2ical t,eat4ent e6cept fo, optical an2 2ental ope,ations plastic su,5e,3 cha,5es an2 lensesan2 4e2ical t,eat4ent obtaine2 outsi2e of QS+

(" Ent,3 1isa fees >ill be sha,e2 e uall3 bet>een he, an2 he, e4plo3e, but the e6itJ,e*ent,3 1isa feesfees fo, I a4a issuance ,ene>al ,eplace4ent passpo,t ,ene>al sponso,ship t,ansfe, an2 othe, liabilities shall bebo,ne b3 he,

:" Thi,t3 2a3s pai2 1acation lea1e >ith ,oun2 t,ip ticAets to Manila afte, t>ent3 fou,*4onths ofcontinuous se,1ice

$" Ei5ht 2a3s public holi2a3s pe, 3ea,

&" The in2e4nit3 bene t 2ue he, at the en2 of he, se,1ice >ill be calculate2 as pe, labo, la>s of QS+"

Thus the a5,ee4ent 2oes not inclu2e p,o1isions fo, insu,ance o, fo, acci2ent 2eath o, othe, bene ts that theCua,es4as seeA to ,eco1e, an2 >hich the labo, t,ibunals an2 appellate cou,t 5,ante2 1a,iabl3 in the 5uise ofco4pensato,3 2a4a5es"

Ho>e1e, the absence of p,o1isions fo, social secu,it3 an2 othe, bene ts 2oes not 4aAe 0as4inBs e4plo34entcont,act in ,4" Un2e, QS+ la> he, fo,ei5n e4plo3e, is not obli5e2 to p,o1i2e he, these bene ts an2 neithe, is

0as4in entitle2 to 4ini4u4 >a5e unless of cou,se the QS+ labo, la>s ha1e been a4en2e2 to the opposite e)ecto, that a bilate,al >a5e a5,ee4ent has been ente,e2 into"

Ou, ne6t in ui,3 is shoul2 0as4inBs 2eath be consi2e,e2 as >o,A*connecte2 an2 thus co4pensable The e1i2encein2icates that it is not" +t the ti4e of he, 2eath she >as not on 2ut3 o, else e1i2ence to the cont,a,3 >oul2 ha1ebeen a22uce2" Neithe, >as she >ithin hospital p,e4ises at the ti4e" Instea2 she >as at he, 2o,4ito,3 ,oo4 onpe,sonal ti4e >hen she 2ie2" Neithe, has it been sho>n no, 2oes the e1i2ence su55est that at the ti4e she 2ie2


9/60

0as4in >as pe,fo,4in5 an act ,easonabl3 necessa,3 o, inci2ental to he, e4plo34ent as nu,se because she >as athe, 2o,4ito,3 ,oo4" It is ,easonable to suppose that all he, >o,A is pe,fo,4e2 at the +l*bi,A Hospital an2 not athe, 2o,4ito,3 ,oo4"

e cannot e6pect that the fo,ei5n e4plo3e, shoul2 ensu,e he, safet3 e1en >hile she is not on 2ut3" It is not fai, to,e ui,e e4plo3e,s to ans>e, e1en fo, thei, e4plo3eesB pe,sonal ti4e a>a3 f,o4 >o,A >hich the latte, a,e f,ee tospen2 of thei, o>n choosin5" hethe, the3 choose to spen2 thei, f,ee ti4e in the pu,suit of safe o, pe,ilousun2e,taAin5s in the co4pan3 of f,ien2s o, st,an5e,s lo1e,s o, ene4ies this is not one a,ea >hich thei, e4plo3e,sshoul2 be 4a2e accountable fo," hile >e ha1e e4phasi e2 the nee2 to obse,1e oGcial >o,A ti4e st,ictl3 7#&8>hat an e4plo3ee 2oes on f,ee ti4e is be3on2 the e4plo3e,Bs sphe,e of in ui,3"

hile the e4plo3e,Bs p,e4ises 4a3 be 2e ne2 1e,3 b,oa2l3 not onl3 to inclu2e p,e4ises o>ne2 b3 it but alsop,e4ises it leases hi,es supplies o, uses 7'%8 >e a,e not p,epa,e2 to ,ule that the 2o,4ito,3 >he,ein 0as4in sta3e2shoul2 constitute e4plo3e,Bs p,e4ises as >oul2 allo> a n2in5 that 2eath o, in@u,3 the,ein is consi2e,e2 to ha1ebeen incu,,e2 o, sustaine2 in the cou,se of o, a,ose out of he, e4plo34ent" The,e a,e ce,tainl3 e6ceptions 7'#8 butthe3 2o not appea, to appl3 he,e" Mo,eo1e, a co4plete 2ete,4ination >oul2 ha1e to 2epen2 on the uni ueci,cu4stances obtainin5 an2 the o1e,all factual en1i,on4ent of the case >hich a,e he,e lacAin5"

/ut 2i2 0as4in co44it suici2e Ra@ab /ec4en an2 hite Falcon 1ehe4entl3 insist that she 2i2 thus he, hei,s4a3 not clai4 bene ts o, 2a4a5es base2 on c,i4inal a55,ession" On the othe, han2 the Cua,es4as 2o notbelie1e so"

The Cou,t cannot subsc,ibe to the i2ea that 0as4in co44itte2 suici2e >hile half>a3 into he, e4plo34ent cont,act"It is be3on2 hu4an co4p,ehension that a '?*3ea, ol2 Filipina in the p,i4e of he, life an2 >o,Ain5 ab,oa2 >ith achance at 4aAin5 a 2ecent li1in5 >ith a hi5h*pa3in5 @ob >hich she coul2 not n2 in he, o>n count,3 >oul2 si4pl3co44it suici2e fo, no co4pellin5 ,eason"

The Sau2i police an2 autops3 ,epo,ts >hich state that 0as4in is a liAel3Jo, appa,ent 1icti4 of poisonin5 a,epatentl3 inconclusi1e" The3 a,e thus un,eliable as e1i2ence"

On the cont,a,3 the autops3 ,epo,t of the Cabanatuan Cit3 Health OGce, an2 the e6hu4ation ,epo,t of the N/Icate5o,icall3 an2 un uali e2l3 sho> that 0as4in sustaine2 e6te,nal an2 inte,nal in@u,ies speci call3 ab,asions athe, inne, lip an2 5u4s lace,ate2 >oun2s an2 ab,asions on he, left an2 ,i5ht ea,s lace,ate2 >oun2s an2he4ato4a ;contusions< on he, elbo>s ab,asions an2 he4ato4a on he, thi5h an2 le5s int,a*4uscula, he4o,,ha5eat the ante,io, chest a f,actu,e2 ,ib punctu,e >oun2s an2 ab,asions on the labia 4ino,a of the 1a5inal a,ea" TheN/I to6icolo53 ,epo,t ca4e up ne5ati1e on the p,esence of poison"

+ll these sho> that 0as4in >as 4anhan2le2 an2 possibl3 ,ape2 p,io, to he, 2eath"

E1en if >e >e,e to a5,ee >ith the Sau2i police an2 autops3 ,epo,ts that in2icate 0as4in >as poisone2 to 2eath >e2o not belie1e that it >as self*in2uce2" If e1e, 0as4in >as poisone2 the assailants >ho beat he, up an2 possibl3,ape2 he, a,e ce,tainl3 ,esponsible the,efo,"

e a,e not e6actl3 i5no,ant of >hat 5oes on >ith ou, OF s" No, is the ,est of the >o,l2 blin2 to the ,ealities of lifebein5 su)e,e2 b3 4i5,ant >o,Ae,s in the han2s of so4e fo,ei5n e4plo3e,s" It is inconcei1able that ou, Filipina>o4en >oul2 seeA e4plo34ent ab,oa2 an2 face unce,taint3 in a fo,ei5n lan2 onl3 to co44it suici2e fo,une6plaine2 ,easons" Deci2in5 to lea1e thei, fa4il3 lo1e2 ones an2 the co4fo,t an2 safet3 of ho4e to >o,A in ast,an5e lan2 ,e ui,es un,i1ale2 st,en5th an2 cou,a5e" In2ee2 4an3 of ou, >o4en OF s >ho a,e unfo,tunate toen2 up >ith un2esi,able e4plo3e,s ha1e been the,e 4o,e ti4es than the3 ca,e to beaten up an2 b,oAen in bo23 3et the3 ha1e ,e4aine2 st,on5 in 4in2 ,efusin5 to 5i1e up the >ill to li1e" Rape2 bu,ne2 >ith ci5a,ettes AicAe2 inthe chest >ith sha,p hi5h*heele2 shoes sta,1e2 fo, 2a3s o, e1en >eeAs stabbe2 sla1e2 >ith incessant >o,AlocAe2 in thei, ,oo4s fo,ce2 to se,1e thei, 4aste,s naAe2 5,ossl3 2ebase2 2ehu4ani e2 an2 insulte2 thei, spi,itsfou5ht on an2 the3 li1e2 fo, the 2a3 that the3 >oul2 once a5ain be ,eunite2 >ith thei, fa4ilies an2 lo1e2 ones"

Thei, bo2ies su,,en2e,e2 but thei, >ill to su,1i1e ,e4aine2 st,on5"

It is su,p,isin5 the,efo,e that Ra@ab /ec4en an2 hite Falcon shoul2 insist on suici2e >ithout e1en liftin5 a n5e,to help sol1e the 43ste,3 of 0as4inBs 2eath" /ein5 in the business of sen2in5 OF s to >o,A ab,oa2 /ec4en an2

hite Falcon shoul2 Ano> >hat happens to so4e of ou, OF s" It is i4possible fo, the4 to be co4pletel3 una>a,ethat c,uelties an2 inhu4anities a,e in icte2 on OF s >ho a,e unfo,tunate to be e4plo3e2 b3 1icious e4plo3e,s o,upon those >ho >o,A in co44unities o, en1i,on4ents >he,e the3 a,e liable to beco4e 1icti4s of c,i4e" /3 no>the3 shoul2 Ano> that ou, >o4en OF s 2o not ,ea2il3 succu4b to the te4ptation of Aillin5 the4sel1es e1en >henassaulte2 abuse2 sta,1e2 2ebase2 an2 >o,st ,ape2"

In2ee2 >hat >e ha1e seen is Ra@ab an2 /ec4enBs ,e1oltin5 sche4e of con1enientl3 a1oi2in5 ,esponsibilit3 b3clin5in5 to the absu,2 theo,3 that 0as4in tooA he, o>n life" +ban2onin5 thei, le5al 4o,al an2 social obli5ation ;ase4plo3e, an2 ,ec,uite,< to assist 0as4inBs fa4il3 in obtainin5 @ustice fo, he, 2eath the3 i44e2iatel3 5a1e up on

0as4inBs case >hich has ,e4aine2 un2e, in1esti5ation as the autops3 an2 police ,epo,ts the4sel1es in2icate"


10/60

Instea2 of taAin5 the cu25els fo, 0as4in >ho ha2 no ,elati1e o, ,ep,esentati1e in the QS+ >ho >oul2 natu,all32e4an2 an2 seeA an in1esti5ation of he, case Ra@ab an2 /ec4en chose to taAe the 4ost con1enient ,oute toa1oi2in5 an2 2en3in5 liabilit3 b3 castin5 0as4inBs fate to obli1ion" It appea,s f,o4 the ,eco,2 that to this 2ate nofollo> up of 0as4inBs case >as e1e, 4a2e at all b3 the4 an2 the3 see4 to ha1e e6pe2ientl3 t,eate2 0as4inBs 2eathas a close2 case" Despite bein5 5i1en the lea2 1ia the autops3 an2 to6icolo53 ,epo,ts of the Philippine autho,itiesthe3 faile2 an2 ,efuse2 to act an2 pu,sue @ustice fo, 0as4inBs saAe an2 to ,esto,e hono, to he, na4e"

In2ee2 thei, nonchalant an2 unca,in5 attitu2e 4a3 be seen f,o4 ho> 0as4inBs ,e4ains >e,e ,epat,iate2" NooGcial ,ep,esentati1e f,o4 Ra@ab o, /ec4en >as Ain2 enou5h to 4aAe pe,sonal ,ep,esentations >ith 0as4inBspa,ents if onl3 to e6ten2 thei, con2olences o, s34pathies instea2 a 4e,e collea5ue nu,se 0essie Fa@a,2o >as2esi5nate2 to acco4pan3 0as4inBs bo23 ho4e"

Of all lifeBs t,a5e2ies the 2eath of oneBs o>n chil2 4ust be the 4ost painful fo, a pa,ent" Not Ano>in5 >h3 o, ho> 0as4inBs life >as snu)e2 out 4aAes the pain 2oubl3 unbea,able fo, 0as4inBs pa,ents an2 fu,the, a55,a1ate2 b3Ra@ab /ec4en an2 hite FalconBs baseless insistence an2 accusation that it >as a self*in icte2 2eath a 4o,tal sinb3 an3 ,eli5ious stan2a,2"

Thus >e cate5o,icall3 hol2 base2 on the e1i2ence the actual e6pe,iences of ou, OF s an2 the ,esilient an2cou,a5eous spi,it of the Filipina that t,anscen2s the 1ilest 2esec,ation of he, ph3sical self that 0as4in 2i2 notco44it suici2e but a 1icti4 of 4u,2e,ous a55,ession"

Ra@ab /ec4en an2 hite FalconBs in2i)e,ence to 0as4inBs case has cause2 unfatho4able pain an2 su)e,in5 uponhe, pa,ents" The3 ha1e tu,ne2 a>a3 f,o4 thei, 4o,al obli5ation as e4plo3e, an2 ,ec,uite, an2 as entities la2en>ith social an2 ci1ic obli5ations in societ3 to pu,sue @ustice fo, an2 in behalf of 0as4in he, pa,ents an2 those sheleft behin2" Possesse2 >ith the ,esou,ces to 2ete,4ine the t,uth an2 to pu,sue @ustice the3 chose to stan2 i2l3 fo,the saAe of con1enience an2 in o,2e, that the3 4a3 a1oi2 pecunia,3 liabili t3 tu,nin5 a blin2 e3e to the Philippineautho,itiesB autops3 an2 to6icolo53 ,epo,ts instea2 of taAin5 action upon the4 as lea2s in pu,suin5 @ustice fo,

0as4inBs 2eath" The3 ha1e place2 thei, o>n nancial an2 co,po,ate inte,ests abo1e thei, 4o,al an2 socialobli5ations an2 chose to secu,e an2 insulate the4sel1es f,o4 the pe,cei1e2 ,esponsibilit3 of ha1in5 to ans>e, fo,an2 in2e4nif3 0as4inBs hei,s fo, he, 2eath"

Un2e, Republic +ct No" $%9' ;R"+" $%9'< o, the Mi5,ant o,Ae,s an2 O1e,seas Filipinos +ct of #&&? 7''8 the Stateshall at all ti4es uphol2 the 2i5nit3 of its citi ens >hethe, in count,3 o, o1e,seas in 5ene,al an2 Filipino 4i5,ant>o,Ae,s in pa,ticula,"7'=8 The State shall p,o1i2e a2e uate an2 ti4el3 social econo4ic an2 le5al se,1ices toFilipino 4i5,ant >o,Ae,s"7'98 The ,i5hts an2 inte,est of 2ist,esse27'?8 o1e,seas Filipinos in 5ene,al an2 Filipino4i5,ant >o,Ae,s in pa,ticula, 2ocu4ente2 o, un2ocu4ente2 a,e a2e uatel3 p,otecte2 an2 safe5ua,2e2"7'(8

/ec4en an2 hite Falcon as license2 local ,ec,uit4ent a5encies 4ise,abl3 faile2 to abi2e b3 the p,o1isions of R"+"$%9'" Rec,uit4ent a5encies a,e e6pecte2 to e6ten2 assistance to thei, 2eplo3e2 OF s especiall3 those in 2ist,ess"

Instea2 the3 aban2one2 0as4inBs case an2 allo>e2 it to ,e4ain unsol1e2 to fu,the, thei, inte,ests an2 a1oi2anticipate2 liabilit3 >hich pa,ents o, ,elati1es of 0as4in >oul2 ce,tainl3 e6act f,o4 the4" The3 >illfull3 ,efuse2 top,otect an2 ten2 to the >elfa,e of the 2ecease2 0as4in t,eatin5 he, case as @ust one of those unsol1e2 c,i4es thatis not >o,th >astin5 thei, ti4e an2 ,esou,ces on" The e1i2ence 2oes not e1en sho> that /ec4en an2 Ra@ab lifte2 a

n5e, to p,o1i2e le5al ,ep,esentation an2 seeA an in1esti5ation of 0as4inBs case" o,st of all the3 unnecessa,il3t,a4ple2 upon the pe,son an2 2i5nit3 of 0as4in b3 stan2in5 pat on the a,5u4ent that 0as4in co44itte2 suici2e>hich is a 5,a1e accusation 5i1en its un*Ch,istian natu,e"

e cannot ,easonabl3 e6pect that 0as4inBs pa,ents shoul2 be the ones to acti1el3 pu,sue a @ust ,esolution of he,case in the QS+ unless the3 a,e p,o1i2e2 >ith the nances to un2e,taAe this he,culean tasA" Sa2l3 /ec4en an2Ra@ab 2i2 not len2 an3 assistance at all in this ,espect" The 4ost 0as4inBs pa,ents can 2o is to coo,2inate >ithPhilippine autho,ities as 4an2ate2 un2e, R"+" $%9' obtain f,ee le5al assistance an2 secu,e the ai2 of theDepa,t4ent of Fo,ei5n +)ai,s the Depa,t4ent of Labo, an2 E4plo34ent the POE+ an2 the O + in t,3in5 tosol1e the case o, obtain ,elief in acco,2ance >ith Section '=7':8 of R"+" $%9'" To ou, 4in2 the Cua,es4as 2i2 allthat >as >ithin thei, po>e, sho,t of actuall3 3in5 to the QS+" In2ee2 the Cua,es4as >ent e1en fu,the," To thebest of thei, abilities an2 capacities the3 1entu,e2 to in1esti5ate 0as4inBs case on thei, o>n- the3 cause2 anothe,autops3 on 0as4inBs ,e4ains as soon as it a,,i1e2 to in ui,e into the t,ue cause of he, 2eath" /e3on2 that the3sub@ecte2 the4sel1es to the painful an2 2ist,essful e6pe,ience of e6hu4in5 0as4inBs ,e4ains in o,2e, to obtainanothe, autops3 fo, the sole pu,pose of 2ete,4inin5 >hethe, o, not thei, 2au5hte, >as poisone2" Thei, uest fo,the t,uth an2 @ustice is e uall3 to be e6pecte2 of all lo1in5 pa,ents" +ll this ti4e Ra@ab an2 /ec4en instea2 ofe6ten2in5 thei, full coope,ation to the Cua,es4a fa4il3 4e,el3 sat on thei, lau,els in see4in5 unconce,n"

In Inte,o,ient Ma,iti4e Ente,p,ises Inc" 1" NLRC 7'$8 a sea4an >ho >as bein5 ,epat,iate2 afte, his e4plo34entcont,act e6pi,e2 faile2 to 4aAe his /an5AoA to Manila connectin5 i5ht as he be5an to >an2e, the st,eets of/an5AoA ai4lessl3" He >as shot to 2eath b3 Thai police fou, 2a3s afte, on account of ,unnin5 a4ucA >ith a Anife inhan2 an2 th,eatenin5 to ha,4 an3bo23 >ithin si5ht" The e4plo3e, sue2 fo, 2eath an2 othe, bene ts as >ell as2a4a5es inte,pose2 as 2efense the p,o1ision in the seafa,e, a5,ee4ent >hich p,o1i2es that no co4pensationshall be pa3able in ,espect of an3 in@u,3 incapacit3 2isabilit3 o, 2eath ,esultin5 f,o4 a >illful act on his o>n life b3


11/60

the sea4an" The Cou,t ,e@ecte2 the 2efense on the 1ie> a4on5 othe,s that the ,ec,uit4ent a5enc3 shoul2 ha1eobse,1e2 so4e p,ecautiona,3 4easu,es an2 shoul2 not ha1e allo>e2 the sea4an >ho >as late, on foun2 to be4entall3 ill to t,a1el ho4e alone an2 its failu,e to 2o so ,en2e,e2 it liable fo, the sea4anBs 2eath" e ,ule2the,ein that

The fo,ei5n e4plo3e, 4a3 not ha1e been obli5ate2 b3 its cont,act to p,o1i2e a co4panion fo, a ,etu,nin5e4plo3ee but it cannot 2en3 that it >as e6p,essl3 tasAe2 b3 its a5,ee4ent to assu,e the safe ,etu,n of sai2 >o,Ae,"

The unca,in5 attitu2e 2ispla3e2 b3 petitione,s >ho Ano>in5 full3 >ell that its e4plo3ee ha2 been su)e,in5 f,o4so4e 4ental 2iso,2e, ne1e,theless still allo>e2 hi4 to t,a1el ho4e alone is appallin5 to sa3 the least" Suchattitu2e ha,As bacA to anothe, ti4e >hen the lan2e2 5ent,3 p,acticall3 o>ne2 the se,fs an2 2ispose2 of the4>hen the latte, ha2 5,o>n ol2 sicA o, othe,>ise lost thei, usefulness"7'&8 ;E4phasis supplie2elfa,e of ou, OF s >hethe, 2ist,esse2 o, not" ho else isin a bette, position if not these ,ec,uit4ent a5encies to ,en2e, i44e2iate ai2 to thei, 2eplo3e2 OF s ab,oa2

+,ticle #& of the Ci1il Co2e p,o1i2es that e1e,3 pe,son 4ust in the e6e,cise of his ,i5hts an2 in the pe,fo,4ance ofhis 2uties act >ith @ustice 5i1e e1e,3one his 2ue an2 obse,1e honest3 an2 5oo2 faith" +,ticle '# of the Co2estates that an3 pe,son >ho >ilfull3 causes loss o, in@u,3 to anothe, in a 4anne, that is cont,a,3 to 4o,als 5oo2custo4s o, public polic3 shall co4pensate the latte, fo, the 2a4a5e" +n2 lastl3 +,ticle '9 ,e ui,es that in allcont,actual p,ope,t3 o, othe, ,elations >hen one of the pa,ties is at a 2isa21anta5e on account of his 4o,al2epen2ence i5no,ance in2i5ence 4ental >eaAness ten2e, a5e o, othe, han2icap the cou,ts 4ust be 1i5ilant fo,his p,otection"

Clea,l3 Ra@ab /ec4en an2 hite FalconBs acts an2 o4issions a,e a5ainst public polic3 because the3 un2e,4inean2 sub1e,t the inte,est an2 5ene,al >elfa,e of ou, OF s ab,oa2 >ho a,e entitle2 to full p,otection un2e, the la>"

The3 set an a>ful e6a4ple of ho> fo,ei5n e4plo3e,s an2 ,ec,uit4ent a5encies shoul2 t,eat an2 act >ith ,espect tothei, 2ist,esse2 e4plo3ees an2 >o,Ae,s ab,oa2" Thei, shabb3 an2 callous t,eat4ent of 0as4inBs case thei,unca,in5 attitu2e thei, un@usti e2 failu,e an2 ,efusal to assist in the 2ete,4ination of the t,ue ci,cu4stancessu,,oun2in5 he, 43ste,ious 2eath an2 instea2 n2in5 satisfaction in the un,easonable insistence that sheco44itte2 suici2e @ust so the3 can con1enientl3 a1oi2 pecunia,3 liabili t3 placin5 thei, o>n co,po,ate inte,estsabo1e of the >elfa,e of thei, e4plo3eeBs all these a,e cont,a,3 to 4o,als 5oo2 custo4s an2 public polic3 an2constitute taAin5 a21anta5e of the poo, e4plo3ee an2 he, fa4il3Bs i5no,ance helplessness in2i5ence an2 lacA ofpo>e, an2 ,esou,ces to seeA the t,uth an2 obtain @ustice fo, the 2eath of a lo1e2 one"

!i1in5 in han2il3 to the i2ea that 0as4in co44itte2 suici2e an2 a2a4antl3 insistin5 on it @ust to p,otect Ra@ab an2/ec4enBs 4ate,ial inte,est 2espite e1i2ence to the cont,a,3 is a5ainst the 4o,al la> an2 ,uns cont,a,3 to the5oo2 custo4 of not 2enouncin5 oneBs fello>4en fo, alle5e2 5,a1e >,on52oin5s that un2e,4ine thei, 5oo2 na4ean2 hono,"7=%8

hethe, e4plo3e2 locall3 o, o1e,seas all Filipino >o,Ae,s en@o3 the p,otecti1e 4antle of Philippine labo, an2 socialle5islation cont,act stipulations to the cont,a,3 not>ithstan2in5" This p,onounce4ent is in Aeepin5 >ith the basicpublic polic3 of the State to a)o,2 p,otection to labo, p,o4ote full e4plo34ent ensu,e e ual >o,A oppo,tunities,e5a,2less of se6 ,ace o, c,ee2 an2 ,e5ulate the ,elations bet>een >o,Ae,s an2 e4plo3e,s" This ,ulin5 is liAe>ise,en2e,e2 i4pe,ati1e b3 +,ticle #: of the Ci1il Co2e >hich states that la>s >hich ha1e fo, thei, ob@ect public o,2e,public polic3 an2 5oo2 custo4s shall not be ,en2e,e2 ine)ecti1e b3 la>s o, @u254ents p,o4ul5ate2 o, b32ete,4inations o, con1entions a5,ee2 upon in a fo,ei5n count,3"7=#8

The ,elations bet>een capital an2 labo, a,e so i4p,esse2 >ith public inte,est 7='8 an2 neithe, shall act opp,essi1el3a5ainst the othe, o, i4pai, the inte,est o, con1enience of the public"7==8 In case of 2oubt all labo, le5islation an2all labo, cont,acts shall be const,ue2 in fa1o, of the safet3 an2 2ecent li1in5 fo, the labo,e,"7=98

The 5,ant of 4o,al 2a4a5es to the e4plo3ee b3 ,eason of 4iscon2uct on the pa,t of the e4plo3e, is sanctione2 b3+,ticle ''#& ;#%hich allo>s ,eco1e,3 of such 2a4a5es in actions ,efe,,e2 to in +,ticle '#"7=(8

Thus in 1ie> of the fo,e5oin5 the Cou,t hol2s that the Cua,es4as a,e entitle2 to 4o,al 2a4a5es >hich /ec4enan2 hite Falcon a,e @ointl3 an2 soli2a,il3 liable to pa3 to5ethe, >ith e6e4pla,3 2a4a5es fo, >anton an2opp,essi1e beha1io, an2 b3 >a3 of e6a4ple fo, the public 5oo2"

P,i1ate e4plo34ent a5encies a,e hel2 @ointl3 an2 se1e,all3 liable >ith the fo,ei5n*base2 e4plo3e, fo, an3 1iolationof the ,ec,uit4ent a5,ee4ent o, cont,act of e4plo34ent" This @oint an2 soli2a,3 liabilit3 i4pose2 b3 la> a5ainst,ec,uit4ent a5encies an2 fo,ei5n e4plo3e,s is 4eant to assu,e the a55,ie1e2 >o,Ae, of i44e2iate an2 suGcient


12/60

pa34ent of >hat is 2ue hi4"7=:8 If the ,ec,uit4entJplace4ent a5enc3 is a @u,i2ical bein5 the co,po,ate oGce,s an22i,ecto,s an2 pa,tne,s as the case 4a3 be shall the4sel1es be @ointl3 an2 soli2a,il3 liable >ith the co,po,ation o,pa,tne,ship fo, the afo,esai2 clai4s an2 2a4a5es"7=$8

hite FalconBs assu4ption of /ec4enBs liabilit3 2oes not auto4aticall3 ,esult in /ec4enBs f,ee2o4 o, ,elease f,o4liabilit3" This has been ,ule2 in +/D O1e,seas Manpo>e, Co,po,ation 1" NLRC"7=&8 Instea2 both /ec4en an2 hiteFalcon shoul2 be hel2 liable soli2a,il3 >ithout p,e@u2ice to each ha1in5 the ,i5ht to be ,ei4bu,se2 un2e, thep,o1ision of the Ci1il Co2e that >hoe1e, pa3s fo, anothe, 4a3 2e4an2 f,o4 the 2ebto, >hat he has pai2"79%8

HEREFORE the +4en2e2 Decision of the Cou,t of +ppeals 2ate2 Ma3 #9 '%%$ in C+*!"R" SP No" $%(#& an2 C+*!"R" SP No" $#%=% is SET +SIDE" Ra@ab Silsilah Co4pan3 hite Falcon Se,1ices Inc" /ec4en Se,1ice E6po,te,an2 P,o4otion Inc" an2 thei, co,po,ate 2i,ecto,s an2 oGce,s a,e foun2 @ointl3 an2 soli2a,il3 liable an2 ORDERED toin2e4nif3 the hei,s of 0as4in Cua,es4a spouses Si4plicio an2 Mila Cua,es4a the follo>in5 a4ounts-

#< T O MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUS+ND PESOS ;P' ?%% %%%"%%< as 4o,al 2a4a5es

'< T O MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUS+ND PESOS ;P' ?%% %%%"%%< as e6e4pla,3 2a4a5es

=< +tto,ne3Bs fees e ui1alent to ten pe,cent ;#% < of the total 4oneta,3 a>a,2 an2 9< Costs of suit"

SO ORDERED"


Manila

THIRD DIVISION

G.R. No. 168651 March 16, 2011

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plainti)*+ppellee1s"EDITH RAMOS A AT, +ccuse2*+ppellant"

R E S O L U T I O N

ERSAMIN, J.:

Face2 >ith the ,eal p,ospect of spen2in5 the ,e4ain2e, of he, natu,al life behin2 ba,s the accuse2 appeals the2ecision p,o4ul5ate2 on +p,il '& '%%? # >he,eb3 the Cou,t of +ppeals ;C+< aG,4e2 he, con1iction be3on2,easonable 2oubt of the c,i4e of la,5e scale ille5al ,ec,uit4ent as 2e ne2 b3 +,ticle #=;b< an2 penali e2 b3 +,ticle=&;a< both of the Labo, Co2e han2e2 2o>n b3 the Re5ional T,ial Cou,t ;RTC< /,anch 9' in Da5upan Cit3sentencin5 he, to su)e, life i4p,ison4ent an2 to pa3 a ne of P#%% %%%"%% an2 o,2e,in5 he, to ,ei4bu,se to thefou, co4plainants the ,especti1e a4ounts the3 ha2 pai2 to the accuse2 on thei, ,ec,uit4ent" '

The accuse2 >as a,,ai5ne2 an2 t,ie2 un2e, the info,4ation 2ate2 Ma,ch ? '%%# >hich alle5e2-

That so4eti4e in the 4onths of No1e4be, an2 Dece4be, '%%% in the Municipalit3 of Calasiao P,o1ince ofPan5asinan Philippines an2 >ithin the @u,is2iction of this Hono,able Cou,t the abo1e*na4e2 accuse2 not bein5 alicensee o, hol2e, of autho,it3 2i2 then an2 the,e >illfull3 ;sic< unla>full3 an2 feloniousl3 un2e,taAe an2 pe,fo,4,ec,uit4ent acti1ities in la,5e scale b3 ,ec,uitin5 M+RI+ COR+ ON +!+S !+RCI+ 0OCELKN !EMINI+NO FLORESSONNK K+/OT 3 +NTONIO /+LT+ +R +R!EL 3 V+LLEDOR LETECI+ RINONOS M+RCELO P+/LITO S" !+LUM+N

T+RCIL+ M" UM+!+T C+ROLINE U" C+LI PERCK C" FUERTES to a suppose2 @ob ab,oa2 pa,ticula,l3 in Tai>an fo, afee >ithout ,st secu,in5 the necessa,3 license o, pe,4it to 2o the sa4e"

CONTR+RK TO PD 99' as a4en2e2 b3 PD '%#$"
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2011/mar2011/gr_168651_2011.html#fnt1http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2011/mar2011/gr_168651_2011.html#fnt2http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2011/mar2011/gr_168651_2011.html#fnt1http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2011/mar2011/gr_168651_2011.html#fnt2


13/60

In he, appeal the accuse2 2enies ha1in5 an3 pa,ticipation in the ,ec,uit4ent of the nine na4e2 co4plainants fo,e4plo34ent in Tai>an asse,tin5 that the C+ e,,e2 in thus aG,4in5 he, con1iction 2espite the totalit3 of e1i2encepointin5 to no othe, conclusion than he, innocence" She u,5es the ,e1ie> of the C+Bs ,ulin5 on the c,e2ibilit3 of the>itnesses in 1ie> of the t>o opposin5 1e,sions of the facts in1ol1e2"

In suppo,t of he, appeal she a,5ues that the su4s she e6acte2 an2 ,ecei1e2 f,o4 the co4plainants ,ep,esente2onl3 the ,ei4bu,se4ent of the e6penses incu,,e2 2u,in5 he, t,ips upon the a21ice of Siste, +,aceli a faith heale,that tooA he, an2 the co4plainants to Cebu Cit3 Ili5an Cit3 O a4is Cit3 an2 Ca5a3an 2e O,o Cit3 not inconsi2e,ation of the e4plo34ent in Tai>an suppose2l3 o)e,e2 to the co4plainants that fo, he, not to be,ei4bu,se2 >oul2 be 4ost unfai, because she ha2 2ef,a3e2 the e6penses fo, the t,ips >ith the co4plainants >ithhe, husban2Bs 4one3 that the failu,e of the co4plainants to p,o2uce ,eceipts sho>in5 that she ha2 collecte24one3 f,o4 the4 in connection >ith he, assu,ances of thei, e4plo34ent in Tai>an >as fatal to the StateBs casea5ainst he, an2 that althou5h onl3 fou, of the nine na4e2 co4plainants ha2 appea,e2 an2 testi e2 in cou,t theP,osecution 2i2 not e6plain >h3 the 1e othe, co4plainants ha2 2esiste2 f,o4 testif3in5 a5ainst he,"

+fte, ha1in5 e6a4ine2 the ,eco,2s ho>e1e, >e ,e@ect the accuse2Bs 2enial of ha1in5 an3 pa,t in the ,ec,uit4ent of the co4plainants an2 aG,4 the 2ecision of the C+" e aG,4 he, con1iction

+,ticle #=;b< of the Labo, Co2e 2e nes W,ec,uit4ent an2 place4entW as ,efe,,in5-

666 to an3 act of can1assin5 enlistin5 cont,actin5 t,anspo,tin5 uti li in5 hi,in5 o, p,ocu,in5 >o,Ae,s an2inclu2es ,efe,,als cont,act se,1ices p,o4isin5 o, a21e,tisin5 fo, e4plo34ent locall3 o, ab,oa2 >hethe, fo, p,o to, not P,o1i2e2 That an3 pe,son o, entit3 >hich in an3 4anne, o)e,s o, p,o4ises fo, a fee e4plo34ent to t>o o,

4o,e pe,sons shall be 2ee4e2 en5a5e2 in ,ec,uit4ent an2 place4ent"

+,ticle =$ of the Labo, Co2e speci call3 2e nes >hat acti1ities o, acts constitute ille5al ,ec,uit4ent an2 ille5al,ec,uit4ent b3 a s3n2icate o, in la,5e scale 1i -

+,ticle =$" Illegal recruitment. * ;a< +n3 ,ec,uit4ent acti1ities inclu2in5 the p,ohibite2 p,actices enu4e,ate2 un2e,+,ticle =9 of this Co2e to be un2e,taAen b3 non*licensees o, non*hol2e,s of autho,it3 shall be 2ee4e2 ille5al an2punishable un2e, +,ticle =& of this Co2e" The Depa,t4ent of Labo, an2 E4plo34ent o, an3 la> enfo,ce4ent oGce,4a3 initiate co4plaints un2e, this +,ticle"

;b< Ille5al ,ec,uit4ent >hen co44itte2 b3 a s3n2icate o, in la,5e scale shall be consi2e,e2 an o)ense in1ol1in5econo4ic sabota5e an2 shall be penali e2 in acco,2ance >ith +,ticle =& he,eof"

Ille5al ,ec,uit4ent is 2ee4e2 co44itte2 b3 a s3n2icate if ca,,ie2 out b3 a 5,oup of th,ee ;=< o, 4o,e pe,sonsconspi,in5 an2Jo, confe2e,atin5 >ith one anothe, in ca,,3in5 out an3 unla>ful o, ille5al t,ansaction ente,p,ise o,sche4e 2e ne2 un2e, the ,st pa,a5,aph he,eof" Ille5al ,ec,uit4ent is 2ee4e2 co44itte2 in la,5e scale ifco44itte2 a5ainst th,ee ;=< o, 4o,e pe,sons in2i1i2uall3 o, as a 5,oup"

;c< The Sec,eta,3 of Labo, an2 E4plo34ent o, his 2ul3 autho,i e2 ,ep,esentati1es shall ha1e the po>e, to causethe a,,est an2 2etention of such non*licensee o, non*hol2e, of autho,it3 if afte, in1esti5ation it is 2ete,4ine2 thathis acti1ities constitute a 2an5e, to national secu,it3 an2 public o,2e, o, >ill lea2 to fu,the, e6ploitation of @ob*seeAe,s" The Sec,eta,3 shall o,2e, the sea,ch of the oGce o, p,e4ises an2 sei u,e of 2ocu4ents pa,aphe,naliap,ope,ties an2 othe, i4ple4ents use2 in ille5al ,ec,uit4ent acti1ities an2 the closu,e of co4panies establish4entsan2 entities foun2 to be en5a5e2 in the ,ec,uit4ent of >o,Ae,s fo, o1e,seas e4plo34ent >ithout ha1in5 beenlicense2 o, autho,i e2 to 2o so"

The acts co44itte2 b3 the accuse2 constitute2 ille5al ,ec,uit4ent in la,5e scale >hose essential ele4ents a,e the

follo>in5-

;a< The accuse2 en5a5es in acts of ,ec,uit4ent an2 place4ent of >o,Ae,s 2e ne2 un2e, +,ticle #=;b< of theLabo, Co2e o, in an3 p,ohibite2 acti1ities un2e, +,ticle 9= of the Labo, Co2e

;b< The accuse2 has not co4plie2 >ith the 5ui2elines issue2 b3 the Sec,eta,3 of Labo, an2 E4plo34entpa,ticula,l3 >ith ,espect to the secu,in5 of license o, an autho,it3 to ,ec,uit an2 2eplo3 >o,Ae,s eithe,locall3 o, o1e,seas an2

;c< The accuse2 co44its the unla>ful acts a5ainst th,ee o, 4o,e pe,sons in2i1i2uall3 o, as a 5,oup" =
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14/60

It is the lacA of the necessa,3 license o, autho,it3 to ,ec,uit an2 2eplo3 >o,Ae,s eithe, locall3 o, o1e,seas that,en2e,s the ,ec,uit4ent acti1it3 unla>ful o, c,i4inal" 9 To p,o1e ille5al ,ec,uit4ent the,efo,e the State 4ust sho>that the accuse2 5a1e the co4plainants the 2istinct i4p,ession that she ha2 the po>e, o, abili t3 to 2eplo3 theco4plainants ab,oa2 in a 4anne, that the3 >e,e con1ince2 to pa,t >ith thei, 4one3 fo, that en2"

In a22ition to he, a24ission that she 2i2 not ha1e an3 license o, autho,it3 f,o4 the Depa,t4ent of Labo, an2E4plo34ent ;DOLE< to ,ec,uit an2 2eplo3 >o,Ae,s eithe, locall3 o, o1e,seas the e6plicit ce,ti cation issue2 on

0anua,3 #% '%%# b3 +tt3" +2onis Pe,alta the DOLE Dist,ict OGce, in Da5upan Cit3 attestin5 that the accuse2 2i2not possess an3 pe,4it to ,ec,uit >o,Ae,s fo, o1e,seas e4plo34ent in Pan5asinan inclu2in5 the cities of Da5upanSan Ca,los U,2aneta an2 +la4inos con ,4e2 he, lacA of the license o, autho,it3 ,e ui,e2 b3 la>" ?

Ou, ,e1ie> sho>s that the State co4petentl3 establishe2 that the accuse2 2espite ha1in5 no license o, autho,it3to ,ec,uit an2 2eplo3 >o,Ae,s eithe, locall3 o, o1e,seas ha2 ,ep,esente2 to the co4plainants that she coul2 secu,ethei, e4plo34ent in Tai>an eithe, as facto,3 >o,Ae,s o, as co4pute, ope,ato,s at a 4onthl3 sala,3 ofNT 9? %%%"%% each an2 that the co4plainants ha2 ,elie2 on he, ,ep,esentation an2 5i1en he, the a4ounts sheha2 2e4an2e2 in the e6pectation of thei, place4ent" e note that in o,2e, to 4aAe he, ,ep,esentation 4o,econ1incin5 she ha2 also tol2 the co4plainants about he, bein5 ,elate2 to the Philippine +4bassa2o, to Tai>an as>ell as to P,esi2ent Ra4os an2 P,esi2ent Est,a2a"

The accuse2 a24itte2 ha1in5 ,ecei1e2 1a,ious su4s of 4one3 f,o4 the co4plainants >ho ha2 5i1en the su4seithe, in cash o, b3 2epositin5 in the banA account of he, husban2 but 2enie2 that such su4s >e,e inconsi2e,ation of thei, ,ec,uit4ent clai4in5 instea2 that the su4s >e,e ,ei4bu,se4ents fo, the e6penses incu,,e22u,in5 the t,ips to Cebu Cit3 Ili5an Cit3 O a4is Cit3 an2 Ca5a3an 2e O,o Cit3 in the co4pan3 of theco4plainants" ( She insiste2 that the co4plainants ,esentin5 he, 2e4an2 fo, ,ei4bu,se4ents then b,ou5ht thecha,5e fo, ille5al ,ec,uit4ent a5ainst he, to 5et e1en" The C+ 2isbelie1e2 he, 2enial ho>e1e, an2 pointe2 outthat-

+lthou5h p,i1ate co4plainants 2o not 2en3 that the3 2i2 not spen2 a sin5le centa1o fo, all the e6penses the3 ha1eincu,,e2 2u,in5 such t,ips it appea,s f,o4 thei, co4bine2 testi4onies that the3 >e,e le2 to belie1e that thepa34ents the3 ha1e 4a2e >e,e in consi2e,ation of thei, application to >o,A in Tai>an an2 not fo, thei, outin5s" :

e uphol2 the C+Bs app,eciation of the situation" The accuse2Bs alle5ation about this accusation e4anatin5 f,o4the co4plainantsB ,esent4ent coul2 onl3 be be,eft of substance" Fo, one the fact that as the RTC foun2 t>o of theco4plainants ;i"e" Ma" Co,a on +" !a,cia an2 0ocel3n Flo,es< 2i2 not e1en @oin the t,ips $ enti,el3 belie2 thealle5ation" /esi2es althou5h the co4plainants >ho ha2 @oine2 he, in the t,ips ha2 a24itte2l3 spent not a sin5lecenta1o fo, the t,ips thei, testi4onies une,,in5l3 pointe2 nonetheless to the sin5ula, conclusion that she ha2 le2the4 to belie1e that >hat the3 >e,e pa3in5 fo, >as thei, p,o4ise2 o1e,seas e4plo34ent not the t,ips" Such

testi4onies >hich positi1el3 an2 une ui1ocall3 2esc,ibe2 he, i lle5al acti1ities of ,ec,uit4ent p,e1aile2 o1e, he,2enial >hich >as nothin5 but self*se,1in5 ne5ati1e e1i2ence" & In2ee2 it >as fu,the, sho>n that the accuse2 ha2co44unicate2 to the co4plainants the 2ates of thei, 2epa,tu,e fo, Tai>an afte, ,ecei1in5 the 1a,ious su4s she ha22e4an2e2 >hich >as fu,the, p,oof of he, p,o4ise to 2eplo3 the4 in Tai>an"

The u,5in5 of the accuse2 that the Cou,t shoul2 ,e1ie> he, case 2ue to the con ictin5 1e,sions of the pa,ties isun>a,,ante2" The 2ete,4ination of >hich of the 2i)e,ent 1e,sions >as to be belie1e2 is fun2a4entall3 an issue ofc,e2ibilit3 >hose ,esolution belon5e2 to the 2o4ain of the t,ial @u25e >ho ha2 obse,1e2 the 2epo,t4ent an24anne, of the >itnesses at the ti4e of thei, testi4on3" #% The Cou,t natu,all3 acco,2s 5,eat ,espect to the t,ial

@u25eBs e1aluation of the c,e2ibilit3 of >itnesses because the t,ial @u25e >as in the best position to assess thec,e2ibilit3 of >itnesses an2 thei, testi4onies b3 ,eason of his uni ue oppo,tunit3 to obse,1e the >itnesses ,sthan2an2 to note thei, 2e4eano, con2uct an2 attitu2e un2e, 5,i llin5 e6a4ination" ## ith 4o,e ,eason 2o >e hol2 sohe,ein fo, the C+ as the ,e1ie>in5 t,ibunal aG,4e2 the RTC as the t,ial cou,t" #' The accuse2 bo,e the ensuin5obli5ation to 2e4onst,ate to ou, satisfaction that the C+ ha2 o1e,looAe2 4isconst,ue2 o, 4isinte,p,ete2 facts an2ci,cu4stances of substance that if consi2e,e2 >oul2 chan5e the outco4e" +las she 2i2 not 2o so" 1wphi1

No, shoul2 >e pa3 hee2 to the contention of the accuse2 that the 1e,sion of the State >eaAene2 because onl3 fou,out of the nine na4e2 co4plainants ha2 actuall3 testi e2 in cou,t a5ainst he," That contention i5no,es that in

@u2icial a2@u2ications cou,ts 2o not count but >ei5h >itnesses thus ualit3 of >itnesses not thei, uantit3 isconsi2e,e2" #=

Finall3 the failu,e of the State to p,esent ,eceipts p,o1in5 that the pa34ents b3 the co4plainants >as inconsi2e,ation of thei, ,ec,uit4ent to Tai>an 2oes not ne5ate the 5uilt of the accuse2" This a,5u4ent is not no1elan2 unp,ece2ente2 fo, the Cou,t has al,ea23 ,ule2 that the absence of ,eceipts e1i2encin5 pa34ent 2oes not2efeat a c,i4inal p,osecution fo, ille5al ,ec,uit4ent" +cco,2in5 to People v. Pabalan -#9
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15/60

666 the absence of ,eceipts in a c,i4inal case fo, il le5al ,ec,uit4ent 2oes not >a,,ant the ac uittal of the accuse2an2 is not fatal to the case of the p,osecution" +s lon5 as the >itnesses ha2 positi1el3 sho>n th,ou5h thei,,especti1e testi4onies that the accuse2 is the one in1ol1e2 in the p,ohibite2 ,ec,uit4ent he 4a3 be con1icte2 ofthe o)ense 2espite the >ant of ,eceipts"

The Statute of F,au2s an2 the ,ules of e1i2ence 2o not ,e ui,e the p,esentation of ,eceipts in o,2e, to p,o1e thee6istence of ,ec,uit4ent a5,ee4ent an2 the p,ocu,e4ent of fees in ille5al ,ec,uit4ent cases" The a4ounts 4a3conse uentl3 be p,o1e2 b3 the testi4on3 of >itnesses" #?

Conse uentl3 as lon5 as the State establishe2 th,ou5h c,e2ible testi4onial e1i2ence that the accuse2 ha2en5a5e2 in ille5al ,ec,uit4ent he, con1iction >as @usti e2" #( That is >hat >e n2 he,ein"

On the penalt3 fo, ille5al ,ec,uit4ent in la,5e scale +,ticle =& of the Labo, Co2e ,ele1antl3 states-

+,ticle =&" Penalties. * ;a< The penalt3 of life i4p,ison4ent an2 a ne of One Hun2,e2 Thousan2 Pesos;P#%% %%%"%%< shall be i4pose2 if ille5al ,ec,uit4ent constitutes econo4ic sabota5e as 2e ne2 he,ein

666

/oth lo>e, cou,ts co,,ectl3 foun2 that the accuse2Bs acts fell s ua,el3 un2e, +,ticle #=;b< of the Labo, Co2e 2ue tothe nu4be, of he, 1icti4s bein5 at least fou," Hence the penalt3 of life i4p,ison4ent an2 ne of P#%% %%%"%% asp,esc,ibe2 un2e, +,ticle =& ;a< of the Labo, Co2e >as p,ope,"

HEREFORE the Cou,t aG,4s the 2ecision of the Cou,t of +ppeals p,o4ul5ate2 on +p,il '& '%%?"

SO ORDERED"


Manila

FIRST DIVISION

G.R. No. 1!"1#8 $%&' 1, 2011

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plainti)*+ppellee1s"DOLORES OCDEN, +ccuse2*+ppellant"

D E C I S I O N

LEONARDO(DE CASTRO, J.:

Fo, Ou, consi2e,ation is an appeal f,o4 the Decision # 2ate2 +p,il '# '%%( of the Cou,t of +ppeals in C+*!"R" CR"*H"C" No" %%%99 >hich aG,4e2 >ith 4o2i cation the Decision ' 2ate2 0ul3 ' '%%# of the Re5ional T,ial Cou,t ;RTCithin the @u,is2iction of this Hono,able Cou,t the abo1e*na4e2 accuse2 2i2 then an2 the,e >illfull3 unla>full3 an2feloniousl3 2ef,au2 0EFFRIES C" !OLID+N b3 >a3 of false p,etenses >hich a,e e6ecute2 p,io, to o, si4ultaneous>ith the co44ission of the f,au2 as follo>s to >it- the accuse2 Ano>in5 full3 >ell that she is not ;sic< autho,i e2

@ob ,ec,uite, fo, pe,sons inten2in5 to secu,e >o,A ab,oa2 con1ince2 sai2 0e),ies C" !oli2an an2 p,eten2e2 that shecoul2 secu,e a @ob fo, hi4Jhe, ab,oa2 fo, an2 in consi2e,ation of the su4 of P :% %%%"%% >hen in t,uth an2 in factthe3 coul2 not the sai2 0e),ies C" !oli2an 2ecei1e2 an2 con1ince2 b3 the false p,etenses e4plo3e2 b3 the accuse2pa,te2 a>a3 the total su4 of P :% %%%"%% in fa1o, of the accuse2 to the 2a4a5e an2 p,e@u2ice of the sai2 0e),iesC" !oli2an in the afo,e4entione2 a4ount of SEVENTK THOUS+ND PESOS ;P :% %%% %%< Philippine Cu,,enc3" ?

The Info,4ations in the 1e othe, cases fo, estafa contain substantiall3 the sa4e alle5ations as the one abo1e*uote2 e6cept fo, the p,i1ate co4plainantsB na4es the 2ate of co44ission of the o)ense an2 the a4ounts

2ef,au2e2 to >it-

Case No" Na4e of the P,i1ateCo4plainant

Date of Co44ission of theO)ense

+4ountDef,au2e2

#(=#$*R Ho>a,2 C" !oli2an So4eti4e 2u,in5 thepe,io2f,o4 Octobe, toDece4be, #&&$

P:% %%%"%%

#(=?%*R No,4a Pe2,o So4eti4e in Ma3 #&&$ P(? %%%"%%

#(=(&*R Milan O" Da,in5 So4eti4e 2u,in5 thepe,io2f,o4 No1e4be, #= #&&$toDece4be, #% #&&$

P:%"%%%"%%

#(&(9*R Ri alina Fe,,e, So4eti4e in Septe4be, P:% %%%"%%#(&((*R Ma,il3n Mana*a So4eti4e in Septe4be,

#&&$P:% %%%"%%(

+ll se1en cases a5ainst Oc2en >e,e consoli2ate2 on 0ul3 =# '%%% an2 >e,e t,ie2 @ointl3 afte, Oc2en plea2e2 not5uilt3"

The p,osecution p,esente2 th,ee >itnesses na4el3- Ma,il3n Mana*a ;Mana*a< an2 Ri alina Fe,,e, ;Fe,,e,a,2 !oli2an"

Mana*a testi e2 that so4eti4e in the secon2 >eeA of +u5ust #&&$ she an2 Isabel Dao*as ;Dao*as< >ent toOc2enBs house in /a5uio Cit3 to appl3 fo, >o,A as facto,3 >o,Ae,s in Ital3 >ith 4onthl3 sala,ies of US # '%%"%%"

The3 >e,e ,e ui,e2 b3 Oc2en to sub4it thei, bio*2ata an2 passpo,ts pa3 the place4ent fee of P:% %%%"%% an2 toun2e,5o 4e2ical e6a4ination"

Upon sub4ittin5 he, bio*2ata an2 passpo,t Mana*a pai2 Oc2en P?%%"%% fo, he, ce,ti cate of e4plo34ent an2P'% %%%"%% as 2o>n pa34ent fo, he, place4ent fee" On Septe4be, $ #&&$ Oc2en acco4panie2 Mana*a an2 '%othe, applicants to a4o,a Me2ical Clinic in Manila fo, thei, 4e2ical e6a4inations fo, >hich each of the applicantspai2 P= %%%"%%" Mana*a also pai2 to Oc2en P'' %%%"%% as the secon2 install4ent on he, place4ent fee" hen

0osephine La>ana5 ;La>ana5< Mana*aBs siste, >ith2,e> he, application La>ana5Bs P#? %%%"%% place4ent feeal,ea23 pai2 to Oc2en >as c,e2ite2 to Mana*a" :

Mana*a faile2 to co4plete he, testi4on3 but the RTC consi2e,e2 the sa4e as no 4otion to st,iAe the sai2testi4on3 >as le2"
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17/60

Fe,,e, na,,ate2 that she an2 he, 2au5hte, 0ennil3n >e,e inte,este2 to >o,A o1e,seas" +bout the secon2 >eeA ofSepte4be, #&&$ the3 app,oache2 Oc2en th,ou5h Fel3 +lipio ;+lipioeeA ofOctobe, #&&$ Fe,,e, an2 0ennil3n 2eci2e2 to appl3 fo, >o,A so the3 sub4itte2 thei, passpo,ts an2 pictu,es toOc2en" Fe,,e, also >ent to Manila fo, 4e2ical e6a4ination fo, >hich she spent P= ?%%"%%" Fe,,e, pai2 to Oc2en onNo1e4be, '% #&&$ the initial a4ount of P'% %%%"%% an2 on Dece4be, $ #&&$ the balance of he, an2 0ennil3nBsplace4ent fees" +ll in all Fe,,e, pai2 Oc2en P#9% %%%"%% as e1i2ence2 b3 the ,eceipts issue2 b3 Oc2en" &

Fe,,e, 0ennil3n an2 +lipio >e,e suppose2 to be inclu2e2 in the ,st batch of >o,Ae,s to be sent to Ital3" Thei, i5ht>as sche2ule2 on Dece4be, #% #&&$" In p,epa,ation fo, thei, i5ht to Ital3 the th,ee p,ocee2e2 to Manila" InManila the3 >e,e int,o2uce2 b3 Oc2en to E,lin2a Ra4os ;Ra4osoul2 be t,anspo,te2 to Mala3sia >he,e thei, 1isa application fo, Ital3 >oul2 be p,ocesse2"

Sensin5 that the3 >e,e bein5 foole2 Fe,,e, an2 0ennil3n 2eci2e2 to 5et a ,efun2 of thei, 4one3 but Oc2en >asno>he,e to be foun2" Fe,,e, >oul2 late, lea,n f,o4 the /a5uio oGce of the Philippine O1e,seas E4plo34ent+24inist,ation ;POE+< that Oc2en >as not a license2 ,ec,uite,"

E6pectin5 a @ob o1e,seas Fe,,e, tooA a lea1e of absence f,o4 he, >o,A" Thus she lost inco4e a4ountin5 toP#: :%%"%% e ui1alent to he, sala,3 fo, one an2 a half 4onths" She also spent P=% %%%"%% fo, t,anspo,tation an2foo2 e6penses" #%

+cco,2in5 to !oli2an the p,osecutionBs thi,2 >itness so4eti4e in Octobe, #&&$ she in ui,e2 f,o4 Oc2en about

the latte,Bs o1e,seas ,ec,uit4ent" Oc2en info,4e2 !oli2an that the place4ent fee >as P:% %%%"%% fo, eachapplicant that the accepte2 applicants >oul2 be sent b3 batches o1e,seas an2 that p,io,it3 >oul2 be 5i1en tothose >ho pai2 thei, place4ent fees ea,l3" On Octobe, =% #&&$ !oli2an b,ou5ht he, sons 0e),ies an2 Ho>a,2 toOc2en" On the sa4e 2ate 0e),ies an2 Ho>a,2 han2e2 o1e, to Oc2en thei, passpo,ts an2 P9% %%%"%% as 2o>npa34ent on thei, place4ent fees" On Dece4be, #% #&&$ 0e),ies an2 Ho>a,2 pai2 the balance of thei, place4entfees a4ountin5 to P#%% %%%"%%" Oc2en issue2 ,eceipts fo, these t>o pa34ents" ## Oc2en then info,4e2 !oli2an thatthe ,st batch of accepte2 applicants ha2 al,ea23 left an2 that 0e),ies >oul2 be inclu2e2 in the secon2 batch fo,2eplo34ent >hile Ho>a,2 in the thi,2 batch"

In anticipation of thei, 2eplo34ent to Ital3 0e),ies an2 Ho>a,2 left fo, Manila on Dece4be, #' #&&$ an2 Dece4be,#$ #&&$ ,especti1el3" Th,ou5h a telephone call 0e),ies info,4e2 !oli2an that his i5ht to Ital3 >as sche2ule2 onDece4be, #( #&&$" Ho>e1e, !oli2an >as su,p,ise2 to a5ain ,ecei1e a telephone call f,o4 0e),ies sa3in5 that his

i5ht to Ital3 >as 2ela3e2 2ue to insuGcienc3 of fun2s an2 that Oc2en >ent bacA to /a5uio Cit3 to looA fo,a22itional fun2s" hen !oli2an >ent to see Oc2en Oc2en >as about to lea1e fo, Manila so she coul2 be the,e in

ti4e fo, the sche2ule2 i5hts of 0e),ies an2 Ho>a,2"

On Dece4be, #& #&&$ !oli2an ,ecei1e2 anothe, telephone call f,o4 0e),ies >ho >as in a4boan5a >ith the othe,applicants" 0e),ies info,4e2 !oli2an that he >as st,an2e2 in a4boan5a because Ra4os 2i2 not 5i1e hi4 hispasspo,t" Ra4os >as the one >ho b,iefe2 the o1e,seas @ob applicants in /a5uio Cit3 so4eti4e in No1e4be, #&&$"

0e),ies inst,ucte2 !oli2an to asA Oc2enBs help in looAin5 fo, Ra4os" !oli2an ho>e1e, coul2 not n2 Oc2en in/a5uio Cit3"

On Dece4be, '# #&&$ !oli2an >ith the othe, applicants Mana*a an2 Dao*as >ent to Manila to 4eet Oc2en"hen !oli2an asAe2 >h3 0e),ies >as in a4boan5a Oc2en ,eplie2 that it >oul2 be easie, fo, 0e),ies an2 the othe,

applicants to ac ui,e thei, 1isas to Ital3 in a4boan5a" Oc2en >as also able to contact Ra4os >ho assu,e2!oli2an that 0e),ies >oul2 be able to 5et his passpo,t" hen !oli2an >ent bacA ho4e to /a5uio Cit3 she lea,ne2th,ou5h a telephone call f,o4 0e),ies that Ho>a,2 >as no> liAe>ise st,an2e2 in a4boan5a"

/3 0anua,3 #&&& 0e),ies an2 Ho>a,2 >e,e still in a4boan5a" 0e),ies ,efuse2 to acce2e to !oli2anBs p,o22in5 fo,hi4 an2 Ho>a,2 to 5o ho4e sa3in5 that the ,ec,uite,s >e,e al,ea23 >o,Ain5 out the ,elease of the fun2s fo, theapplicants to 5et to Ital3" !oli2an >ent to Oc2en an2 the latte, tol2 he, not to >o,,3 as he, sons >oul2 al,ea23 be

3in5 to Ital3 because the sa4e facto,3 o>ne, in Ital3 looAin5 fo, >o,Ae,s un2e,tooA to shoul2e, the applicantsBt,a1el e6penses" Ket 0e),ies calle2 !oli2an once 4o,e tellin5 he, that he an2 the othe, applicants >e,e still in

a4boan5a"

!oli2an >ent to Oc2enBs ,esi2ence" This ti4e Oc2enBs husban2 5a1e !oli2an P'= %%%"%% >hich the latte, coul2 useto fetch the applicants inclu2in5 0e),ies an2 Ho>a,2 >ho >e,e st,an2e2 in a4boan5a" !oli2an t,a1ele2 a5ain toManila >ith Mana*a an2 Dao*as" hen the3 sa> each othe, !oli2an info,4e2 Oc2en ,e5a,2in5 the P'= %%%"%%>hich the latte,Bs husban2 5a1e to he," Oc2en be55e2 !oli2an to 5i1e he, the 4one3 because she nee2e2 it ba2l3"Of the P'= %%%"%% !oli2an ,etaine2 P#% %%%"%% Dao*as ,ecei1e2 P= %%%"%% an2 Oc2en 5ot the ,est" 0e),ies >as
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able to ,etu,n to Manila on 0anua,3 #( #&&&" Ho>a,2 an2 1e othe, applicants acco4panie2 b3 Oc2en alsoa,,i1e2 in Manila 1e 2a3s late,"

The,eafte, !oli2an an2 he, sons >ent to Oc2enBs ,esi2ence to asA fo, a ,efun2 of the 4one3 the3 ha2 pai2 toOc2en" Oc2en >as able to ,etu,n onl3 P?% %%%"%%" Thus out of the total a4ount of P#9% %%%"%% !oli2an an2 he,sons pai2 to Oc2en the3 >e,e onl3 able to 5et bacA the su4 of P(% %%%"%%" +fte, all that ha2 happene2 !oli2anan2 he, sons >ent to the /a5uio oGce of the POE+ >he,e the3 2isco1e,e2 that Oc2en >as not a license2,ec,uite," #'

The 2efense p,esente2 the testi4on3 of Oc2en he,self"

Oc2en 2enie2 ,ec,uitin5 p,i1ate co4plainants an2 clai4e2 that she >as also an applicant fo, an o1e,seas @ob inItal3 @ust liAe the4" Oc2en i2enti e2 Ra4os as the ,ec,uite,"

Oc2en ,ecounte2 that she 4et Ra4os at a se4ina, hel2 in St" The,esaBs Co4poun2 Na13 /ase /a5uio Cit3so4eti4e in 0une #&&$" The se4ina, >as a,,an5e2 b3 +i2a Co4ila ;Co4ila< Ra4osBs sub*a5ent" The se4ina, >asatten2e2 b3 about (% applicants inclu2in5 !oli2an" Ra4os e6plaine2 ho> one coul2 appl3 as >o,Ae, in a stu) to3sfacto,3 in Ital3" +fte, the se4ina, Co4ila int,o2uce2 Oc2en to Ra4os" Oc2en 2eci2e2 to appl3 fo, the o1e,seas @obso she 5a1e he, passpo,t an2 pictu,es to Ra4os" Oc2en also un2e,>ent 4e2ical e6a4ination at a4o,a Me2icalClinic in Manila an2 co4pletel3 sub4itte2 the ,e ui,e2 2ocu4ents to Ra4os in Septe4be, #&&$"

+fte, the se4ina, 4an3 people >ent to Oc2enBs house to in ui,e about the @obs a1ailable in Ital3" Since 4ost ofthese people 2i2 not atten2 the se4ina, Oc2en asAe2 Ra4os to con2uct a se4ina, at Oc2enBs house" T>ose4ina,s >e,e hel2 at Oc2enBs house one in Septe4be, an2 anothe, in Dece4be, #&&$" +fte, sai2 se4ina,sRa4os 2esi5nate2 Oc2en as lea2e, of the applicants" +s such Oc2en ,ecei1e2 he, co*applicantsB applications an22ocu4ents acco4panie2 he, co*applicants to Manila fo, 4e2ical e6a4ination because she Ane> the location of

a4o,a Me2ical Clinic an2 accepte2 place4ent fees in the a4ount of P:% %%%"%% each f,o4 Mana*a an2 Fe,,e, an2f,o4 !oli2an the a4ount of P#9% %%%"%% ;fo, 0e),ies an2 Ho>a,2oul2 ha1e to pa3 the balance th,ou5h sala,3 2e2uctions once the3 sta,t >o,Ain5 in Ital3" Oc2enhe,self pai2 Ra4os P?% %%%"%% as place4ent fee an2 e6ecute2 a p,o4isso,3 note in Ra4osBs fa1o, fo, the balance

@ust liAe an3 othe, applicant >ho faile2 to pa3 the full a4ount" Oc2en >ent to Mala3sia >ith Ra4osBs 4ale f,ien2but she faile2 to 5et he, 1isa fo, Ital3"

Oc2en 2enie2 2ecei1in5 Mana*a an2 Fe,,e," Oc2en alle5e2 that she tu,ne2 o1e, to Ra4os the 4one3 Mana*a an2Fe,,e, 5a1e he, althou5h she 2i2 not in2icate in the ,eceipts she issue2 that she ,ecei1e2 the 4one3 fo, an2 onbehalf of Ra4os"

Oc2en pointe2 out that she an2 so4e of he, co*applicants al,ea23 le2 a co4plaint a5ainst Ra4os befo,e theNational /u,eau of In1esti5ation ;N/I< oGces in a4boan5a Cit3 an2 Manila" #=

On 0ul3 ' '%%# the RTC ,en2e,e2 a Decision n2in5 Oc2en 5uilt3 be3on2 ,easonable 2oubt of the c,i4es of ille5al,ec,uit4ent in la,5e scale ;C,i4inal Case No" #(=#?*R< an2 th,ee counts of estafa ;C,i4inal Case Nos" #(=#(*R#(=#$*R an2 #(&(9*Ro ;'o;'< 4onths of p,ision co,,eccional as 4ini4u4 up to T>el1e ;#'< 3ea,s an2 Nine ;&< 4onths of ,eclusionte4po,al as 4a6i4u4 an2 to in2e4nif3 Ri alina Fe,,e, the a4ount of P:% %%%"%% an2

:" In C,i4inal Case No" #(&((*R the Cou,t n2s the accuse2 DOLORES OCDEN NOT !UILTK of the c,i4e ofestafa fo, insuGcienc3 of e1i2ence an2 a 1e,2ict of ac uittal is he,eb3 ente,e2 in he, fa1o,"

In the se,1ice of he, sentence the p,o1isions of +,ticle :% of the Penal Co2e shall be obse,1e2" #9

+55,ie1e2 b3 the abo1e 2ecision Oc2en le2 >ith the RTC a Notice of +ppeal on +u5ust #? '%%#" #? The RTCe,,oneousl3 sent the ,eco,2s of the cases to the Cou,t of +ppeals >hich in tu,n co,,ectl3 fo,>a,2e2 the sai2,eco,2s to us"

In ou, Resolution #( 2ate2 Ma3 ( '%%' >e accepte2 the appeal an2 ,e ui,e2 the pa,ties to le thei, ,especti1eb,iefs" In the sa4e ,esolution >e 2i,ecte2 the Supe,inten2ent of the Co,,ectional Institute fo, o4en to con ,4Oc2enBs 2etention the,eat"

Oc2en le2 he, +ppellantXs /,ief on +u5ust #? '%%= #: >hile the People th,ou5h the OGce of the Solicito, !ene,alle2 its +ppelleeXs /,ief on 0anua,3 ? '%%9" #$

Pu,suant to ou, ,ulin5 in People 1" Mateo #& >e t,ansfe,,e2 Oc2enBs appeal to the Cou,t of +ppeals" On +p,il '#'%%( the appellate cou,t p,o4ul5ate2 its Decision aG,4in5 Oc2enBs con1iction but 4o2if3in5 the penaltiesi4pose2 upon he, fo, the th,ee counts of estafa 1i -

7T8he t,ial cou,t e,,e2 in the i4position of accuse2*appellantBs penalt3"

Pu,suant to +,ticle =#? of the RPC the penalt3 fo, estafa is p,ision co,,eccional in its 4a6i4u4 pe,io2 to p,ision4a3o, in its 4ini4u4 pe,io2" If the a4ount of the f,au2 e6cee2s P'' %%%"%% the penalt3 p,o1i2e2 shall bei4pose2 in its 4a6i4u4 pe,io2 ;( 3ea,s $ 4onths an2 '# 2a3s to $ 3ea,s< a22in5 # 3ea, fo, each a22itionalP#% %%%"%% but the total penalt3 >hich 4a3 be i4pose2 shall not e6cee2 '% 3ea,s"

C,i4inal Case Nos" #(=#(*R an2 #(=#$*R in1ol1e the a4ount of P9% %%%"%% each" Consi2e,in5 that P#$ %%%"%% isthe e6cess a4ount onl3 # 3ea, shoul2 be a22e2 to the penalt3 in its 4a6i4u4 pe,io2 o, & 3ea,s" +lso in C,i4inalCase No" #(&(9*R the a4ount in1ol1e2 is P:% %%%"%%" Thus the e6cess a4ount is P9$ %%%"%% an2 onl3 9 3ea,sshoul2 be a22e2 to the penalt3 in its 4a6i4u4 pe,io2"

HEREFORE the instant appeal is DISMISSED" The assaile2 Decision 2ate2 %' 0ul3 '%%# of the Re5ional T,ial Cou,t;RTC< of /a5uio Cit3 /,anch (% is he,eb3 +FFIRMED >ith the follo>in5 MODIFIC+TIONS-

#" In C,i4inal Case No" #(=#(*R accuse2*appellant is sentence2 to ' 3ea,s ## 4onths an2 #% 2a3s ofp,ision co,,eccional as 4ini4u4 to & 3ea,s of p,ision 4a3o, as 4a6i4u4 an2 to in2e4nif3 0e),ies !oli2anthe a4ount of P9% %%%"%%

'" In C,i4inal Case No" #(=#$*R accuse2*appellant is sentence2 to ' 3ea,s ## 4onths an2 #% 2a3s ofp,ision co,,eccional as 4ini4u4 to & 3ea,s of p,ision 4a3o, as 4a6i4u4 an2 to in2e4nif3 Ho>a,2!oli2an the a4ount of P9% %%%"%% an2

=" In C,i4inal Case No" #(&(9*R accuse2*appellant is sentence2 to 9 3ea,s an2 ' 4onths of prisioncorreccional as 4ini4u4 to #' 3ea,s of prision mayor as 4a6i4u4 an2 to in2e4nif3 Ri alina Fe,,e, thea4ount of P:% %%%"%%" '%
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Hence this appeal in >hich Oc2en ,aise2 the follo>in5 assi5n4ent of e,,o,s-

I

THE TRI+L COURT ERRED IN CONVICTIN! +CCUSED*+PPELL+NT OF ILLE!+L RECRUITMENT COMMITTED INL+R!E SC+LE +LTHOU!H THE CRIME +S NOT PROVEN /EKOND RE+SON+/LE DOU/T"

II

THE TRI+L COURT ERRED IN CONVICTIN! +CCUSED*+PPELL+NT OF EST+F+ IN CRIMIN+L C+SES NOS" #(=#(*R #(=#$*R +ND #(7&8(9*R "'#

+fte, a tho,ou5h ,e1ie> of the ,eco,2s of the case >e n2 nothin5 on ,eco,2 that >oul2 @ustif3 a ,e1e,sal of Oc2enBscon1iction"

Ille5al ,ec,uit4ent in la,5e scale

Oc2en conten2s that the p,osecution faile2 to p,o1e be3on2 ,easonable 2oubt that she is 5uilt3 of the c,i4e ofille5al ,ec,uit4ent in la,5e scale" Othe, than the ba,e alle5ations of the p,osecution >itnesses no e1i2ence >asa22uce2 to p,o1e that she >as a non*licensee o, non*hol2e, of autho,it3 to la>full3 en5a5e in the ,ec,uit4ent an2place4ent of >o,Ae,s" No ce,ti cation attestin5 to this fact >as fo,4all3 o)e,e2 in e1i2ence b3 the p,osecution"

Oc2enBs afo,e4entione2 contentions a,e >ithout 4e,it"

+,ticle #= pa,a5,aph ;b< of the Labo, Co2e 2e nes an2 enu4e,ates the acts >hich constitute ,ec,uit4ent an2place4ent-

;b< WRec,uit4ent an2 place4entW ,efe,s to an3 act of can1assin5 enlistin5 cont,actin5 t,anspo,tin5 utili in5hi,in5 o, p,ocu,in5 >o,Ae,s an2 inclu2es ,efe,,als cont,act se,1ices p,o4isin5 fo, a21e,tisin5 fo, e4plo34entlocall3 o, ab,oa2 >hethe, fo, p,o t o, not- P,o1i2e2 That an3 pe,son o, entit3 >hich in an3 4anne, o)e,s o,p,o4ises fo, a fee e4plo34ent to t>o o, 4o,e pe,sons shall be 2ee4e2 en5a5e2 in ,ec,uit4ent an2 place4ent"

The a4en24ents to the Labo, Co2e int,o2uce2 b3 Republic +ct No" $%9' othe,>ise Ano>n as the Mi5,ant o,Ae,san2 O1e,seas Filipinos +ct of #&&? b,oa2ene2 the concept of ille5al ,ec,uit4ent an2 p,o1i2e2 sti)e, penaltiesespeciall3 fo, those that constitute econo4ic sabota5e i.e., ille5al ,ec,uit4ent in la,5e scale an2 ille5al ,ec,uit4ent

co44itte2 b3 a s3n2icate" Pe,tinent p,o1isions of Republic +ct No" $%9' a,e ,ep,o2uce2 belo>-

SEC" (" Defnition " * Fo, pu,poses of this +ct ille5al ,ec,uit4ent shall 4ean an3 act of can1assin5 enlistin5cont,actin5 t,anspo,tin5 utili in5 hi,in5 o, p,ocu,in5 >o,Ae,s an2 inclu2es ,efe,,in5 cont,act se,1ices p,o4isin5o, a21e,tisin5 fo, e4plo34ent ab,oa2 >hethe, fo, p,o t o, not >hen un2e,taAen b3 a non*licensee o, non*hol2e,of autho,it3 conte4plate2 un2e, +,ticle #=;f< of P,esi2ential Dec,ee No" 99' as a4en2e2 othe,>ise Ano>n as theLabo, Co2e of the Philippines- Provided That an3 such non*licensee o, non*hol2e, >ho in an3 4anne, o)e,s o,p,o4ises fo, a fee e4plo34ent ab,oa2 to t>o o, 4o,e pe,sons shall be 2ee4e2 so en5a5e2" I) *ha++ + -' *'

&c+%/' )h' o++o & ac)*, h')h'r co ))'/ 34 a&4 'r*o&, h')h'r a &o&(+ c'&*'', &o&(ho+/'r,+ c'&*'' or ho+/'r o a%)hor )4 -

;a< To cha,5e o, accept 2i,ectl

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