4/16/2021 E-Library - Information At Your Fingertips: Printer Friendly She knew of the three payments made to accused-appellant, totalling P45,000.00, and witnessed the last two payments of P10,000.00 at Wendy's, Cubao, and P25,000.00 at accused-appellant's residence. Maria Luz said she met Baloran, Mendoza, and Domingo and discussed with them the job offered to her husband and the salaries and benefits appurtenant thereto.[9] Complainant Ronald Frederizo, a resident of 68-A East Riverside, San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City, also testified. According to him, in the morning of August 10, 1994, he received a call from his sister, Elsa Cas, at Far East Bank, Binondo Branch, Manila, asking him to go home because accused-appellant, their neighbor, was in his house recruiting seaman for employment abroad. Ronald said that when he arrived home, he was told by accused-appellant that he had to pay P10,000.00 as initial payment for the processing of his application. Ronald withdrew the amount from Elsa's account. Then, Ronald went with accused-appellant to a house on Second Street near Camp Crame in Quezon City. On the way to that place, accused-appellant assured him that he would receive a salary of US$1,000.00. At an apartment on Second Street, Ronald saw his neighbors, complainant Felixberto, Jojo, and Cloyd. Baloran and Mendoza were also there. Accused-appellant introduced Baloran to Ronald, Cloyd, and Jojo. She told them that Baloran was going to take care of their applications and that he could pull strings at the NBI. Ronald paid accusedappellant P10,000.00 for which no receipt was issued. He was assured by accusedappellant that he would be able to leave for his job abroad in one or two weeks. He was told to be ready with the balance of P35,000.00 for the plane ticket on August 12, 1994. Hence, on August 15, 1994, Ronald mortgaged his land in Batangas just so he could pay the P35,000.00 remaining balance. Accused-appellant went to Ronald's house to meet him. Thereafter, Ronald, Elsa, and accused-appellant took a cab to Mandarin Hotel in Makati City. Accused-appellant told Ronald to have no fear because the persons whom he was dealing with were her relatives. Elsa gave the P35,000.00 to accused-appellant. Ronald no longer asked for a receipt because he trusted accusedappellant. At the hotel were Felixberto and his wife, Baloran, and Domingo. Domingo showed Ronald and Felixberto his identification card and said that he was the captain of a ship. He told them that they would receive a salary of US$1,000.00 plus other benefits. He also assured them that he would inform them of developments in their applications through accused-appellant. After the meeting, Ronald went to his office and tendered his resignation. Ronald followed up his application almost every week but every time he was told by accused-appellant to be patient[10] because Domingo had not yet called. Complainant Larry Tibor said that on August 10, 1994, he went to the house of his cousin, Elsa Cas, at 68-A East Riverside, Bgy. Paltok, San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City, because accused-appellant was there recruiting seamen to work abroad. Larry was then looking for a job. Accused-appellant introduced herself and told him that she could get him a job abroad if he had the necessary documents and P45,000.00. Larry said he had only P3,000.00. He was told by accused-appellant to bring the amount the next day for his fare and certification. As instructed, Larry paid the amount in the presence of his sister, Junet. He asked for a receipt, but accused-appellant told him to trust her. Accused-appellant instructed Larry to prepare extra money as his initial payment was insufficient. Larry left for the province to get a loan. He went to https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocsfriendly/1/52128 5/14