Title
People vs. Molina y Cabral
Case
G.R. No. 207811
Decision Date
Jun 1, 2016
Delia Molina, without authority, promised overseas jobs in Korea, collected fees from multiple complainants, failed to deploy them, and was convicted of illegal recruitment in large scale and simple illegal recruitment.

Case Digest (G.R. No. 207811)
Expanded Legal Reasoning Model

Facts:

# Criminal Case No. 07-1399 (Illegal Recruitment in Large Scale)

  • Complainants: Anthony Galiste, Romulo Nones, Elisa Escobar, Geraldine Cariño, Diony Aragon, Maribel Rosimo, Gilbert Rosimo, and Eric Valdez.
  • Allegations: Between April and June 2006, Delia Molina, without authority, promised overseas employment in Korea to the complainants. Each complainant paid P75,000.00 as placement/processing fees. Molina failed to deploy them and did not reimburse the fees.
  • Testimonies:
    • Elisa Escobar: Paid P75,000.00, was promised employment within 3 months, but was not deployed. Accused failed to return her money.
    • Geraldine Cariño: Paid P75,000.00, underwent medical exams and language training, but was not deployed.
    • Diony Aragon: Paid P75,000.00, was promised employment, but was not deployed. Accused offered partial reimbursement, which did not materialize.

# Criminal Case No. 07-3108 (Illegal Recruitment in Large Scale)

  • Complainants: Richard Collamar, Carol Collamar, and Cecille Bartolome.
  • Allegations: Between April and May 2006, Molina and Vincent Zulueta promised factory jobs in Korea. Each complainant paid P75,000.00, but were not deployed. Molina failed to reimburse the fees.
  • Testimony:
    • Cecille Bartolome: Paid P75,000.00, was promised employment, but was not deployed. Molina issued a bounced check for reimbursement.

# Criminal Case No. 08-066 (Illegal Recruitment)

  • Complainants: Rosemarie Respueto and Leo John Alday.
  • Allegations: Between April and June 2006, Molina promised factory jobs in Korea. Respueto paid P90,000.00, and Alday paid P75,000.00. Neither was deployed, and Molina failed to reimburse the fees.
  • Testimonies:
    • Leo John Alday: Paid P75,000.00, was promised employment, but was not deployed.
    • Rosemarie Respueto: Paid P90,000.00, was promised employment, but was not deployed.

# Defense of Accused-Appellant

  • Molina denied all allegations, claiming that SCLMC (Southern Cotabato Landbase Management Corporation) was a legitimate recruitment agency. She stated that the agency’s license was suspended during the alleged recruitment period and that Vincent Zulueta was not connected to SCLMC. She alleged that the complainants were influenced by Alan Basa to file false charges.

Issues:

  • Whether the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that Molina committed illegal recruitment in large scale and simple illegal recruitment.
  • Whether Molina’s defense of denial and lack of authority during the alleged period absolves her of liability.

Ruling:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Ratio:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Conclusion:

The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal and affirmed the CA’s decision, finding Molina guilty of illegal recruitment in large scale and simple illegal recruitment. The Court upheld the penalties and indemnifications imposed by the lower courts.

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