G.R. No. 235010 - People vs. Sonia Valle Lapurga

Eleven Informations were filed against accused-appellant Sonia Valle y Lapurga, charging her with two counts of illegal recruitment in large scale and nine counts of estafa.
The specific cases on appeal include one count of illegal recruitment in large scale (Criminal Case No. 12468) and four counts of estafa (Criminal Cases Nos. 12469, 12472, 12473, and 12474).

In October 2001, in Cabanatuan City, accused-appellant allegedly induced several complainants—Marcos P. Untalan, Crisanto C. Cando, Ronel Relucio, Gerardo Cando, Jr., Dionisio Salazar, and Mario M. Calpito—to pay placement and processing fees totaling P460,500 purportedly for securing jobs in Guam.
Accused-appellant was neither a licensed nor authorized overseas recruiter.
Private complainants paid substantial sums on the basis of her representations, without receipts, trusting her allegedly due to personal relationship (described as “kumare”).
The promised employment was never materialized, and accused-appellant failed to return the money despite repeated demands.

Prosecution witnesses included private complainants and witnesses verifying the transactions and circumstances.
Defense presented accused-appellant who denied recruitment activities, alleging that the complainants gave money to a third party (Zulueta), not to her.
Both Regional Trial Court (RTC) and Court of Appeals (CA) found accused-appellant guilty of illegal recruitment in large scale and multiple counts of estafa, sentencing her to imprisonment and ordering damages.

Whether the Court of Appeals erred in affirming the conviction of accused-appellant for illegal recruitment in large scale despite the lack of proof she was not a licensee.
Whether the accused-appellant is liable for estafa in light of the evidence presented.