CASE TITLE: LAZO vs.

SALAC
GR NO.: G.R. No. 152642
DATE: November 13, 2012

PETITIONER: Hon. Patricia A. Sto. Tomas, Rosalinda Baldoz and Lucita Lazo
RESPONDENT: Rey Salac, Willie D. Espiritu, Mario Montenegro, Dodgie Belonio, Lolit Salinel
and Buddy

DOCTRINE: Illegal recruitment" as defined in Section 6 is clear and unambiguous and, contrary
to the RTCs finding, actually makes a distinction between licensed and non-licensed recruiters.
By its terms, persons who engage in "canvassing, enlisting, contracting, transporting, utilizing,
hiring, or procuring workers" without the appropriate government license or authority are guilty
of illegal recruitment whether or not they commit the wrongful acts enumerated in that section.

FACTS: Several cases were filed and consolidated questioning the constitutionality of certain
provisions of R.A 8042 otherwise known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Act of
1995 which sets the Governments policies on overseas employment and establishes a higher
standard of protection and promotion of the welfare of migrant workers, their families, and
overseas Filipinos in distress.

Republic Act 8042 was subsequently amended by R.A. 9422, which expressly repealed
Sections 29 and 30 of R.A. 8042 and adopted the policy of close government regulation of the
recruitment and deployment of OFWs.

On August 21, 1995 respondent Philippine Association of Service Exporters, Inc. (PASEI) filed a
petition for declaratory relief and prohibition with prayer for issuance of TRO and writ of
preliminary injunction before the RTC of Manila, seeking to annul, among others, Section 6 of
R.A. 8042 defining Illegal Recruitment for being unconstitutional. It was contended that it is
vague as it fails to distinguish between licensed and non-licensed recruiters and for that reason
gives undue advantage to the non-licensed recruiters in violation of the right to equal protection
of those that operate with government licenses or authorities.The RTC of Manila declared
Section 6 unconstitutional.

Issue: Whether or not the illegal recruitment definition should be declared unconstitutional?

Ruling: No. Illegal Recruitment as defined in Section 6 is clear and unambiguous and, contrary
to the RTCs finding, actually makes a distinction between licensed and non-licensed recruiters.
By its terms, persons who engage in "canvassing, enlisting, contracting, transporting, utilizing,
hiring, or procuring workers" without the appropriate government license or authority are guilty
of illegal recruitment whether or not they commit the wrongful acts enumerated in that section.
On the other hand, recruiters who engage in the canvassing, enlisting, etc. of OFWs, although
with the appropriate government license or authority, are guilty of illegal recruitment only if they
commit any of the wrongful acts enumerated in Section 6.

Thus, Section 6 of R.A 8041 is constitutional.