Facts:

• Eduardo Ballesteros was convicted of illegal recruitment in large-scale and estafa by the Regional Trial Court of Manila on July 6, 1994.
• The illegal activities took place between May 23, 1992, and January 3, 1993.
• Ballesteros falsely claimed he could secure employment for Filipino workers in Japan without a license from the Department of Labor.
• Three private complainants—Arnel Viloria, Santiago Ricamonte, and Nenita Sorita—testified about being deceived into paying large sums for non-existent job placements.
• The trial court found that Ballesteros conspired with Cecilia Legarbes Zabala and Jose Mendoza to defraud the complainants.
• Following a "Joint Affidavit of Complaint" on May 11, 1993, Ballesteros was arrested.
• He was sentenced to life imprisonment for illegal recruitment and received indeterminate penalties for estafa.

Issue:

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Ruling:

• The Supreme Court affirmed the Regional Trial Court's decision, finding Eduardo Ballesteros guilty beyond reasonable doubt of illegal recruitment in large-scale and three counts of estafa.
• The Court upheld the trial court's findings on conspiracy and the credibility of the complainants' testimonies.
• The penalties were modified: Ballesteros...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• Illegal recruitment is defined under the Labor Code as any recruitment activity conducted without the necessary license or authority.
• Ballesteros engaged in recruitment activities without the required license, committing illegal recruitment in large-scale against three or more individuals.
• The evidence fr...continue reading