That on or about the 18th day of December, 1992, in the City of Baguio, Philippines, and within
the jurisdiction of this Honorable court, the above-named accused, did then and there willfully,
unlawfully and feloniously defraud one VIRGINIA S. BAKIAN by way of false pretenses,
which are executed prior to or simultaneously with the commission of the fraud, as follows, to
wit: the accused knowing fully well that she is not [an] authorized job recruiter for persons
intending to secure work abroad convinced said VIRGINIA S. BAKIAN and pretended that she
could secure a job for her abroad, for and in consideration of the sum of P15,400 when in truth
and in fact she could not; the said VIRGINIA S. BAKIAN deceived and convinced by the false
pretenses employed by the accused parted away the total sum of P15,400.00 in favor of the
accused, to the damage and prejudice of the said VIRGINIA S. BAKIAN in the aforementioned
amount of FIFTEEN THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED pesos (P15,400.00) Philippine Currency.
Contrary to law.iv[4]
Accused-appellant pled not guilty to the crimes charged and a joint trial of the cases ensued.
Prosecution evidence show that in December 1992, Virginia Bakian, Florence Juan, Josephine
Sotero and Felisa Bayani were invited by Magdalena Bolilla at her daughters birthday party in a
house located at No. 34 Honeymoon Road, Baguio City. Accused-appellant who was present in
the party was introduced to them by Bolilla as a recruiter for overseas employment.
Virginia Bakian applied as a baby sitter for Canada. Accused-appellant required Bakian to
submit her transcript of records, license certificate and bio-data. She also demanded the payment
of four hundred fifty dollars ($450) or fifteen thousand four hundred pesos (P15,400.00) as
placement fee. Bakian paid the amount but was not issued any receipt.v[5]
Felisa Bayani also applied as a baby sitter for Canada. Accused-appellant told her that she is
connected with the immigration bureau and had sent workers abroad. Bayani submitted to
accused-appellant a photocopy of her license, identification pictures and transcript of records.
She also paid fifteen thousand pesos (P15,000), in instalment, as placement fee three thousand
pesos (P3,000.00) and one hundred fifty dollars ($150) on January 27, 1993, three thousand
pesos (P3,000.00) on February 28, 1993, five thousand two hundred fifty pesos (P5,250.00) on
March 7, 1993 and one thousand five hundred pesos (P1,500.00) for the processing of her
passport. Payments were made at accused-appellants house at Dr. Cario Street.vi[6]
Josephine Sotero and Florence Juan applied as domestic helpers for Hong Kong. Sotero paid
seven thousand pesos (P7,000.00) as placement fee and one thousand five hundred pesos
(P1,500.00) for her passport. A handwritten receiptvii[7] for the money was signed by accusedappellant. Juan paid to accused-appellant six thousand five hundred pesos (P6,500.00) on
December 29, 1992 and five thousand five hundred pesos (P5,500.00) on December 31, 1992.
Melinda Cadio applied as an overseas worker for Canada. For her passport, she paid two
thousand pesos (P2,000.00) to accused-appellant. She demanded another five thousand pesos
(P5,000.00), allegedly for the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA). Cadio gave the
money on December 31, 1992. She was assured that she could leave after six (6) months.