Facts:

• Delia Molina y Cabral faced charges of illegal recruitment in a large scale and illegal recruitment in three separate criminal cases.
• The charges were filed in the Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 143, Makati City.
• Molina, along with Vincent Zulueta, allegedly recruited individuals for overseas employment in South Korea without proper authorization.
• The incidents occurred between April and June 2006.
• Complainants included Anthony Galiste, Romulo Nones, Elisa Escobar, Geraldine Cariño, Diony Aragon, Maribel Rosimo, Gilbert Rosimo, Eric Valdez, Richard Collamar, Carol Collamar, Cecille Bartolome, Rosemarie Respueto, and Leo John Alday.
• Each complainant paid substantial placement fees but was never deployed for employment.
• The RTC found Molina guilty in Criminal Case Nos. 07-1399 and 07-3108, sentencing her to life imprisonment and various fines.
• Molina was acquitted in Criminal Case No. 08-066 due to insufficient evidence.
• Molina appealed, but the Court of Appeals (CA) affirmed the RTC's ruling with modifications.
• The case was brought before the Supreme Court for final adjudication.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

1. Yes, the Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of Delia Molina y Cabral for illegal recruitment in a large scale.
2. Yes, the Supreme Court affirmed the...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Supreme Court held that all elements of illegal recruitment in a large scale were present:
  1. Molina had no valid license or authority to recruit workers for overseas employment during the period in question, as her agency's license was suspended.
  2. She engaged in recruitment activities by promising jobs and collecting placement fees, corroborated by the testimonies of the complainants.
  3. The recruitment was conducted against three or more persons, satisfying the requirement for large-scale illegal recruitment.
• Molina's own ...continue reading