payments is (sic) complete, sir."xii[12] Thus, given the reason for their desistance, the
solemn testimonies given by private complainants shall not be disregarded for it is a
matter of public interest that every crime must be prosecuted and the author thereof
penalized.xiii[13]
WHEREFORE, the Decision of the Regional Trial Court of Manila convicting accusedappellant Flor N. Laurel of illegal recruitment in large scale penalized under Art. 38, par.
(b), in relation to Art. 39, par. (a), of the Labor Code and sentencing her to life
imprisonment is AFFIRMED. However, the portion of the appealed decision directing
accused-appellant to pay the balance of what she had received from each of private
complainants is DELETED in view of the full settlement of her civil liability as
acknowledged by private complainants themselves.
SO ORDERED.
Davide, Jr., (Chairman), Vitug, Panganiban, and Quisumbing, JJ., concur.
i[1]
Certification dated 30 July 1992 by the POEA (Exh. "A"), Original Records, p. 82.
ii[2]
Envelope of Exhibits.
Decision dated 7 March 1995 penned by Judge Romulo A. Lopez, RTC-Manila, Br.
34; Rollo, pp. 15-23.
iii[3]
Basbacio v. Office of the Secretary, Department of Justice, G.R. No. 109445, 7
November 1994, 238 SCRA 5, 10; Libanan v. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 112386, 14
June 1994, 233 SCRA 163, 167; Victoria v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 109005, 10 January
1994, 229 SCRA 269, 273.
iv[4]
Casela v. Court of Appeals, No. L-26754, 16 October 1970, 35 SCRA 279; Quijano
v. Development Bank of the Philippines, No. L-26419, 16 October 1970, 35 SCRA 270;
Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Limpan Investment Corporation, No. L-28571, 31
July 1970, 34 SCRA 148; Hidalgo v. Hidalgo, No. L-25326, 29 May 1970, 33 SCRA 105.
v[5]
People v. Melgar, G.R. No. 118815, 18 August 1997; People v. Villas, G. R. No.
112180, 15 August 1997; People v. Pantaleon, G. R. No. 108107, 19 June 1997;
People v. Ferrer, G. R. No. 121907, 27 May 1997; People v. Tan Tiong Meng, G. R.
Nos. 120835-40, 10 April 1997; People v. Maozca, G. R. No. 109779, 13 March 1997;
People v. de Leon, G. R. No. 110391, 7 February 1997; People v. Gabres, G. R. Nos.
118950-54, 6 February 1997; People v. Bautista, G. R. No. 113547, 9 February 1995,
241 SCRA 216.
vi[6]