SYLLABI/SYNOPSIS THIRD DIVISION [G.R. No. 130940. April 21, 1999] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, appellee, vs. RHODELINE CASTILLON, accusedappellant. DECISION PANGANIBAN, J.: In these difficult times, many Filipinos pin their hopes for an abundant future on overseas employment. In several cases, however, illegal recruiters have taken undue advantage of simple folk desperate to work abroad. This Court cannot let these vultures roam the countryside and prey on the gullibility of our people. The Case Rhodeline Castillon appeals the December 8, 1995 Decisioni[1] of the Regional Trial Court of Davao City, Branch 17, which convicted her of large-scale illegal recruitment and imposed upon her the penalty of life imprisonment plus a fine of P100,000. Prosecutor Emilio G. Dayanghirang III charged appellant in an Information dated January 9, 1995, which we quote: The undersigned [charges] the above-named accused [with] the crime of [i]llegal [r]ecruitment [on a] large [s]cale under Article 38 in relation to Article 39 of Presidential Decree No. 2018, committed as follows: That sometime in November, 1994, in the City of Davao, Philippines, and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the above-mentioned accused, representing [her]self to have the capacity to contract, enlist and recruit workers for employment abroad, did then and there wilfully, unlawfully and feloniously for a fee, recruit and promise employment/job placement abroad to Emily B. Perturbos, Nelia B. Perturbos, Ma. Dahlia S. Acol and Clemencia Bula-ag by charging fees, [without] being authorized by the rules/regulations set forth by the Department of Labor and Employment or its instrumentality.ii[2] Assisted by Counsel de Oficio Juan Zamora of the Public Attorneys Office, appellant pleaded not guilty during her arraignment on February 14, 1995.iii[3] Trial ensued in due course. On December 8, 1995, the court a quo rendered its assailed Decision, the decretal portion of which reads: