participation in the recruitment of the private complainants by referring and
persuading them to apply for deployment abroad, accompanying them all
the way from Urdaneta, Pangasinan, to Manila to refer them to Micua, who
presented herself as a recruiter of worker(s) for overseas employment,
personally collecting and receiving from them various amounts for their
placement fees, and preparing the receipts therefor.13[13]
Hence, this appeal. Accused-appellant raises the following assignment of errors:
I
THE LOWER COURT ERRED IN NOT DISMISSING THIS CASE ON
THE GROUND OF LACK OF JURISDICTION ON ITS PART OVER THE
PERSON OF THE ACCUSED-APPELLANT BY REASON OF THE FACT
THAT THE WARRANTLESS ARREST OF THE ACCUSED-APPELLANT
WAS ILLEGAL.
II
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FINDING THAT THE ACCUSEDAPPELLANT RECRUITED THE PRIVATE COMPLAINANTS FOR
DEPLOYMENT AS LAND WORKERS IN HONGKONG.
III
THE LOWER COURT ERRED IN FIND (SIC) THAT ALL THE
ESSENTIAL REQUISITES OF ESTAFA AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE 315,
REVISED PENAL CODE, ARE CONCURRENTLY SATISFIED IN THIS
CASE.
We find no valid grounds to reverse accused-appellants conviction.
Accused-appellants first assignment of error challenges the trial courts judgment on a
jurisdictional ground. She argues that her arrest without warrant was illegal and,
therefore, following the settled rule that the trial court does not acquire jurisdiction over
the person of one who is illegally arrested, the case should have been dismissed.14[14]
This contention is untenable.
Jurisdiction over the person of the accused is acquired either by arrest or voluntary
appearance in court. The record amply demonstrates that accused-appellant voluntarily
appeared in court at her arraignments, entered a plea of "not guilty" to all the charges
against her, and later actively participated in the trial. Hence, granting arguendo that
13[13]
Id., at 56, Rollo, p. 34.
14[14]
Id., at 67-69.