VII Leonardo Brozo, one of the complainants, similarly learned from his acquaintance William (Willy) Ramos that his brother-in-law Ernesto Borromeo and the latter's wife Beth Borromeo were recruiting persons to work abroad. xxx He (sic) then applied with them for a job as a laborer (p. 7, 13, TSN, Feb., 28, 1994). They told him to submit an NBI clearance and many others and to pay P15,000.00 out of the total P30,000.00, as applicant fee (p. 9, TSN, Feb. 28, 1994). On March 15, 1993, Brozo paid P12,000.00 for processing of his papers to appellant, who after counting the same turned it over to his wife Elizabeth Borromeo who then issued a receipt therefor (Exh. "L-1"; pp. 12-13, TSN, Feb. 28, 1994). He also paid on March 26, 1993 the amount of P3,000.00 to appellant who after counting the money turned it over to Elizabeth Borromeo who then issued a receipt therefor (Exh. "L", pp. 11-12, TSN, Feb. 28, 1994). The couple told Brozo that they will be the one to look for a job abroad for Brozo who will receive a salary of P30,000.00 (p. 13-14, TSN, Feb. 28, 1994). xxx After Brozo had paid the P15,000.00, appellant kept on promising Brozo that he can go abroad but appellant failed in his promise and Brozo was unable to go abroad. (p. 14, TSN, Feb. 28, 1994). xxx xxx xxx xxx VIII xxx On February 16, 1993, (Wesley) Pajarillaga paid P3,000.00 for medical expenses (p. 9, TSN, March 2, 1994). He subsequently paid P7,000.00 on March 18, 1993 and P15,000.00 on March 25, 1993 to appellant xxx (pp. 9-10, TSN, March 2, 1994). Receipt for the P15,000.00 payment was issued but the same was lost by Pajarillaga (pp. 8-10, TSN, March 2, 1994). xxx IX In the first week of February 1993, Roberto Perez was introduced by Willy Ramos to Ernesto Borromeo, xxx Perez asked appellant if he was recruiting workers for Taiwan and the latter told Perez, he can help him go there (pp. 2-3, TSN, March 9, 1994). Perez told him that he was interested to go abroad if he pays P3,000.00 and P12,000 (pp. 3-4, TSN, March 9, 1994). Perez applied for a job as a factory worker with a salary of $800.00 and paid the required payments (p. 4-5, TSN, March 9, 1994). He paid the P3,000.00 and P12,000.00 to appellant and his wife for which a receipt dated March 15, 1993 was issued (Exhs. "M", "M-1"; pp. 4 and 6, TSN, March 9, 1994). On the aforesaid receipt, Elizabeth Borromeo printed her and appellant's respective names but it was only her signature which appeared thereon (p. 6, TSN, March 9, 1994). Since Perez was unable to leave for Taiwan despite his payments and despite appellant's promises, he checked from the POEA whether appellant and his wife were duly licensed recruiters (p. 7, TSN, March 9, 1994). They found out that they were not listed as licensed recruiters (p. 7, TSN, ibid). xxx" For the defense, appellant placed reliance on mere denial, testifying thus: