27/05/2026
DMW Welcomes Supreme Court Ruling Affirming Conviction in Large-Scale Illegal Recruitment Case
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) welcomes the recent decision of the Supreme Court affirming the conviction of Natalie Caluducan for Large-Scale Illegal Recruitment involving economic sabotage under Republic Act No. 8042, as amended by Republic Act No. 10022 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act.
The Supreme Court upheld the rulings of both the Regional Trial Court of Aparri, Cagayan and the Court of Appeals, finding Caluducan guilty beyond reasonable doubt for illegally recruiting at least three victims for purported โworm pickerโ jobs in Canada despite having no license or authority from the then Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).
The Court found Caluducan, together with her co-accused Tessie Tugaoen, who remains at large, falsely represented themselves as capable of deploying workers abroad and collected substantial amounts from the victims for placement and processing fees.
The Supreme Court emphasized that illegal recruitment may be committed even if the recruiter did not personally receive the money, as long as the offender gives the impression of having the power or authority to send workers abroad for employment.
The Court sentenced Caluducan to life imprisonment and increased the fine imposed against her to P5 million. She was likewise ordered to reimburse the victims the amounts they paid as placement fees, with legal interest at 6% per annum, computed from the date of finality of the Courtโs decision until fully paid.
The DMW commends the courage of the victims in pursuing justice and reaffirms its continuing mandate to protect the welfare and uphold the rights of Filipino migrant workers.
The Department also reminds the public to transact only with licensed and authorized recruitment agencies and to verify job offers and recruitment agencies through its official DMW webpage (https://dmw.gov.ph/) before applying or paying any fees.
Illegal recruitment victims and concerned individuals are encouraged to seek assistance from the DMW's Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB) through its page (https://www.facebook.com/dmwairtip/), the DMW Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons Program, via email at [email protected], or through their hotline number (+63 2 8721-0619). They may also go to the nearest DMW Regional Office to their location for legal assistance in filing cases against illegal recruiters.
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๐๐ ๐ช ๐ช๐ฒ๐น๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ ๐ฅ๐๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ณ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฟ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ด๐ฒ-๐ฆ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น๐ฒ ๐๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ด๐ฎ๐น ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) welcomes the recent decision of the Supreme Court affirming the conviction of Natalie Caluducan for Large-Scale Illegal Recruitment involving economic sabotage under Republic Act No. 8042, as amended by Republic Act No. 10022 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act.
The Supreme Court upheld the rulings of both the Regional Trial Court of Aparri, Cagayan and the Court of Appeals, finding Caluducan guilty beyond reasonable doubt for illegally recruiting at least three victims for purported โworm pickerโ jobs in Canada despite having no license or authority from the then Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).
The Court found Caluducan, together with her co-accused Tessie Tugaoen, who remains at large, falsely represented themselves as capable of deploying workers abroad and collected substantial amounts from the victims for placement and processing fees.
The Supreme Court emphasized that illegal recruitment may be committed even if the recruiter did not personally receive the money, as long as the offender gives the impression of having the power or authority to send workers abroad for employment.
The Court sentenced Caluducan to life imprisonment and increased the fine imposed against her to P5 million. She was likewise ordered to reimburse the victims the amounts they paid as placement fees, with legal interest at 6% per annum, computed from the date of finality of the Courtโs decision until fully paid.
The DMW commends the courage of the victims in pursuing justice and reaffirms its continuing mandate to protect the welfare and uphold the rights of Filipino migrant workers.
The Department also reminds the public to transact only with licensed and authorized recruitment agencies and to verify job offers and recruitment agencies through its official DMW webpage (https://dmw.gov.ph/) before applying or paying any fees.
Illegal recruitment victims and concerned individuals are encouraged to seek assistance from the DMW's Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB) through its page (https://www.facebook.com/dmwairtip/), the DMW Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons Program, via email at [email protected], or through their hotline number (+63 2 8721-0619). They may also go to the nearest DMW Regional Office to their location for legal assistance in filing cases against illegal recruiters. # # #
Also available here: https://dmw.gov.ph/news-releases/news-release-296516