6/9/2020 E-Library - Information At Your Fingertips: Printer Friendly G.R. No. 108107 SECOND DIVISION [ G.R. No. 108107, June 19, 1997 ] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. SUSAN PANTALEON, A.K.A. SUSAN FLORES, ACCUSED-APPELLANT. DECISION ROMERO, J.: Appellant Susan Pantaleon challenges the decision of the Regional Trial Court of Manila, Branch 16, convicting her of the crime of illegal recruitment, the dispositive portion of which states: "WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, judgments are hereby rendered: I. The guilt of the accused for estafa in Criminal Cases No. 91-101478-80 not having been established beyond reasonable doubt, she is hereby ACQUITTED of said offenses, but is ordered to indemnify complainants LEANDRO ROSITA = P29,000 RICARDO ROSITA = P60,000 NONITO ABADILLOS = P75,000 the face values of the plane tickets to Saipan/Korea to be deducted therefrom. II. The guilt of the accused for illegal recruitment having been established beyond reasonable doubt in Criminal Case No. 91-101477, she is hereby CONVICTED of the offense of illegal recruitment committed in a large scale, sentencing her to life imprisonment, to pay a fine of P100,000, and to pay costs." The prosecution's version of the evidence is as follows: Ricardo Rosita, with his wife met appellant at the Jollibee branch in Paco, Manila because he wanted to get a job in Japan. Ricardo came to know of appellant through the latter's sister-in-law, whom appellant was able to send to Japan. Appellant asked Ricardo for P75,000.00 for the plane ticket to Japan via Korea, and for the facilitation of other papers and documents.[1] On March 13, 1991, Ricardo paid appellant P60,000.00 at his house in Paco. It was their understanding that the balance of US$500 would be given by Ricardo to the person who would accompany him to Japan.[2] On April 4, 1991, using the name of Pedro Lorzano in his passport, Ricardo left for elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocsfriendly/1/34852 1/6