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Agency where Ochoa was working as a recruiter. Right after browsing through Gubat's
résumé, Ochoa informed Gubat that as an engineer, Gubat was qualified to work as a
factory supervisor and could leave for Taiwan in two weeks or in March 1998. Ochoa
also told Gubat that the total application expenses would amount to ?100,000.00, and
the downpayment was ?50,000.00. Gubat was able to actually pay Ochoa ?18,800.00
as reservation fee at the agency; processing fee for Gubat's papers at the Department
of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Malacañang, and Embassy of Taiwan; and medical examination
fee. Ochoa, however, only issued to Gubat three receipts, dated March 3, March 31,
and April 6, all in the year 1998, in the amount of P5,000.00 each or a total of
P15,000.00. Gubat started to worry when he was not able to leave for abroad as
Ochoa promised and when she failed to show up at their arranged meetings. When
Gubat was finally able to talk to Ochoa, Ochoa again promised him that he would be
leaving for abroad soon. Despite Ochoa's renewed promise, Gubat was still not able to
leave the country. Gubat then demanded that Ochoa return his documents and
money. When Ochoa failed to comply with his demand, Gubat filed a report against
Ochoa at Barangay (Brgy.) San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City. On May 21, 1998,
he met the other private complainants[7] who had similar complaints against Ochoa.
When nothing came out of the confrontation with Ochoa at Brgy. San Bartolome, Gubat
and the other private complainants filed a joint complaint against Ochoa before the
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).[8]
2. The paths of Junior Agustin and Ochoa crossed on February 2, 1998. Agustin, a
farmer, was staying at the home of Pascual, his cousin, at No. 4 Gulod, Novaliches,
Quezon City. When Ochoa arrived at Pascual's home, Pascual introduced Ochoa to
Agustin as a recruiter for overseas workers in Taiwan. Interested in working abroad,
Agustin submitted his bio-data to Ochoa at the latter's residence at Phase 1, Lot 3, San
Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City. Ochoa promised Agustin that he would be fielded
as a factory worker in Taiwan for three years, earning a monthly salary of P18,000.00.
Ochoa then informed Agustin that the total placement fee for Taiwan is P80,000.00.
Agustin initially paid Ochoa the sum of P28,000.00 as processing fee. Ochoa then
promised that Agustin could leave for Taiwan in two months. However, the two months
passed, but there was still no overseas employment for Agustin.
Agustin was
compelled to file a complaint against Ochoa at Brgy. San Bartolome, Novaliches,
Quezon City. Agustin met the other private complainants during the barangay hearing
on May 21, 1998. Ochoa was also present at said hearing. Given the unsuccessful
barangay hearing, Agustin and the other private complainants lodged a complaint
against Ochoa before the NBI.[9]
3. Francisco Pascual, presently jobless and a resident of Gulod, Novaliches, Quezon
City, learned from a neighbor of one Mrs. Bermejo that her son was being helped by
Ochoa, a recruiter, to find a job abroad. Pascual went to Mrs. Bermejo's house in
January 1998, and met Ochoa for the first time. Ochoa invited Pascual to apply for a
job abroad, saying that the latter could leave within two weeks. During Pascual's visit
at Ochoa's house at Blk. 1, Lot 1, San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City, Ochoa
promised Pascual employment as a driver salesman in Saudi Arabia, with a monthly
salary of P18,000.00. Ochoa told Pascual that the placement fee would be P7,000.00
and that Pascual should already have his medical examination so that the position in
Saudi Arabia could be reserved for him. Since his visa had not yet arrived, Pascual did
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