PRESUMPTION OF KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW, EXCEPTIONS

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES vs. FLORENCIO GASACAOG.R. No. 168445November 11, 2005Facts:Capt. Florencio O. Gasacao was the crewing manager of Great Eastern Shipping Agency, Inc., which company was headed by his nephew. On August 4, 2000 appellant and Jose Gasacao were charged with Large Scale Illegal Recruitment. The appellant was arrested while his nephew remained at large. The lower court found Capt. Gasacao guilty beyond reasonable doubt of large scale illegal recruitment. The Court of Appeals also affirmed the decision. Hence, Capt. Gasacao appealed to the Supreme Court claiming that he cant be held liable for illegal recruitment because he was just a mere employee of the manning agency. He also claimed that he was not aware of the law against prohibition on bonds and deposits under section 60 of the Omnibus Rules and Regulations implementing R.A. 8042.

Issue:Whether or not the appellant is guilty beyond reasonable doubt of large scale illegal recruitment.

Ruling:There is no merit in appellants contention that he was just a mere employee of the manning agency because he was the companys crewing manager. As testified by the witnesses, the accused appellant actively participated in the recruitment process from receiving job applications, interviewing the applicants, and informing them of the agencys requirement of payment of performance or cash bond prior to the deployment. The Supreme Court held further that appellants defense of ignorance is not commendable as provided for by Article 3 of the Civil Code which states that ignorance of the law excuses no one from compliance therewith. The defense of goodwill is neither unavailable because the appellant failed to deploy the complainants without valid reasons.