6/9/2020
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Labor and Employment.
That the crime is committed in a large scale tantamount to economic
sabotage as the aforementioned seven persons were [recruited] individually
or as a group.
Contrary to law.
The charge stemmed from the following set of facts.
Sometime during the second week of March 2000, Susan invited several individuals
including six of the seven complainants - namely, Teodulo dela Cruz, Billy dela Cruz, Jr.,
Dante Lopez, Edwin Enriquez, Rogelio Enriquez, and Gary Bustillos - to her house in
Bulacan, Bulacan to celebrate the town fiesta. Appellant was among the several guests
in Susan's house during the said occasion.
According to Teodulo dela Cruz, during the fiesta, Gary Bustillos introduced him to
Susan as somebody who could help him find work abroad. Since Susan was Gary's
aunt, Teodulo immediately trusted Susan. Susan told him he can apply as assistant
cook and can work in Guam, USA. Upon Susan's instruction, Teodulo filled up an
application form[4] and gave her P3,000.00 after the latter promised to process his
application to work abroad.[5] On May 22, 2000, Susan accompanied Teodulo to
appellant's travel agency office in Ermita where he paid an additional P15,000.00 for
his placement fee.[6] A receipt bearing the logo and name of Laogo Travel Consultancy
was issued to him signed by Susan.[7] Months later, when Susan's promise to send him
abroad remained unfulfilled, Teodulo, along with several other applicants, went to
appellant's office and to Susan's house to follow up their application, but the two
always told them that their visas have yet to be released.[8]
Similarly, Billy dela Cruz, Jr. also met Susan through Gary, who himself was seeking
help from Susan to work in Guam. At Susan's house, Billy saw Dante Lopez, Edwin
Enriquez, and Rogelio Enriquez. Like him, the three were also seeking Susan's help to
work abroad.[9] Susan introduced Billy to appellant, who promised him that she will
send them abroad within three months.[10] After the meeting, Billy issued to Susan two
Metrobank checks, dated March 11 and May 10, 2000, bearing the amounts P23,000.00
and P44,000.00, respectively, as partial payment for his placement fee.[11] On May 19,
2000, Billy also went to appellant's travel agency in Ermita and personally handed an
additional cash of P6,000.00 to Susan, who thereafter gave the money to appellant.
Appellant issued a corresponding receipt[12] for the P6,000.00 cash bearing her
signature and the name and logo of Laogo Travel Consultancy. After several months, no
word was heard from either Susan or appellant. Sensing that something was wrong,
Billy decided to report the matter to the authorities in Bulacan, Bulacan and filed the
complaint against Susan and appellant.[13]
Dante Lopez testified that he was also introduced by Gary Bustillos to appellant and
Susan. Susan identified herself as an employee of appellant's travel agency. The two
elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocsfriendly/1/33955
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