4/9/2020
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For the maximum term under the ISL, we take the maximum period of the prescribed
penalty, adding one year of imprisonment for every P10,000.00 in excess of
P22,000.00, provided that the total penalty shall not exceed 20 years. To compute the
maximum period of the prescribed penalty, the time included in prision correccional
maximum to prision mayor minimum shall be divided into three equal portions, with
each portion forming a period. Following this computation, the maximum period for
prision correccional maximum to prision mayor minimum is from 6 years, 8 months,
and 21 days to 8 years. The incremental penalty, when proper, shall thus be added to
anywhere from 6 years, 8 months, and 21 days to 8 years, at the discretion of the
court. In computing the incremental penalty, the amount defrauded shall be subtracted
by P22,000.00, the difference shall be divided by P10,000.00, and any fraction of a
year is discarded.[7]
Upon review, we modify the maximum term of the indeterminate sentence imposed on
the appellant in Criminal Case Nos. 19288-R to 19291-R.
In Criminal Case No. 19288-R, since the amount defrauded of P63,500.00 exceeds
P22,000.00 by P41,500.00, 4 years shall be added to the maximum period of the
prescribed penalty (anywhere between 6 years, 8 months, and 21 days to 8 years). In
the absence of any aggravating circumstance, we add the 4 years of incremental
penalty to the lowest of the maximum period, which is 6 years, 8 months and 21 days.
The maximum term, therefore, of the appellant's indeterminate sentence in Criminal
Case No. 19288-R is only 10 years, 8 months and 21 days of prision mayor.
In Criminal Case No. 19289-R, since the amount defrauded of P75,000.00 exceeds
P22,000.00 by P53,000.00, 5 years shall be added to the maximum period of the
prescribed penalty (anywhere between 6 years, 8 months and 21 days to 8 years). In
the absence of any aggravating circumstance, we add the 5 years of incremental
penalty to the lowest of the maximum period, which is 6 years, 8 months and 21 days.
The maximum term, therefore, of the appellant's indeterminate sentence in Criminal
Case No. 19289-R is only 11 years, 8 months and 21 days of prision mayor.
In Criminal Case Nos. 19290-R and 19291-R, since each of the amounts defrauded of
P70,000.00 exceeds P22,000.00 by P48,000.00, 4 years shall be added to the
maximum period of the prescribed penalty (anywhere between 6 years, 8 months and
21 days to 8 years) in each case. In the absence of any aggravating circumstance in
these cases, we add the 4 years of incremental penalty to the lowest of the maximum
period, which is 6 years, 8 months and 21 days. The maximum term, therefore, of the
appellant's indeterminate sentence in Criminal Case Nos. 19290-R and 19291-R is only
10 years, 8 months and 21 days of prision mayor.
WHEREFORE, the July 21, 2008 decision of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. H.C. CR
No. 02206 is hereby AFFIRMED with MODIFICATION. Appellant Nestor Tuguinay is
found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of illegal recruitment in large scale in Criminal
Case No. 19287-R and is sentenced to suffer the penalty of life imprisonment and to
pay a fine of P500,000.00. He is likewise found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of four
counts of estafa and sentenced to an indeterminate penalty of 4 years and 2 months of
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