5/19/2021 E-Library - Information At Your Fingertips: Printer Friendly In Criminal Case No. 143744 (Estafa in the amount of P217,000.00), the accused is sentenced to suffer the indeterminate penalty of imprisonment ranging from 6 months and 1 day of prision correccional, as minimum penalty, to 20 years of reclusion temporal, as maximum penalty, together with its accessory penalty. In Criminal Cases Nos. 143745 and 143747 (Estafa in the amount of P45,000.00 each), the accused is sentenced to suffer the indeterminate penalty of imprisonment ranging from 6 months and 1 day of prision correccional, as minimum penalty, to 8 years, 8 months and 1 day of prision mayor medium, as maximum penalty, together with its accessory penalty. Considering that the parties have already executed a Compromise Agreement and the court already rendered a Partial Decision on the Civil Aspect of the Case, dated January 19, 2012, the same is adopted is judgment on the civil aspect of these cases. The period of preventive imprisonment is ordered credited in favor of the accused. SO ORDERED.[40] Ruling of the CA Accused-appellant appealed the RTC Joint Judgment. But the CA, in its Decision[41] dated January 16, 2017, denied the appeal and affirmed the RTC's Joint Judgment. Hence, the accused-appellant filed the instant appeal.[42] The Court required both parties to file their respective supplementary briefs,[43] however, they opted not to file.[44] The Courts Ruling The Court denies the appeal. In People v. Oela Cruz,[45] the Court reiterated the rule that the "findings of the trial court on the credibility of witnesses deserve great weight."[46] Moreover, the "factual findings of the trial court and its observation as to the testimonies of the witnesses are accorded great respect if not conclusive effect."[47] This is because the "trial courts are in a better position to decide the question of credibility, having heard the witnesses themselves and having observed first-hand their demeanor and manner of testifying under grueling examination."[48] This rule requires stricter adherence when the factual findings are sustained by the CA.[49] Illegal Recruitment in Large Scale https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocsfriendly/1/66373 7/17