Beware of Cheap Travel Packages - De Lima :: Department of Justice - Republic of the Philippines

Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima cautioned the public against booking cheap travel packages being offered by certain travel agencies.

The statement was issued as the Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court Branch 211 convicted for Estafa a General Manager of a travel agency.

In a five-page Decision, the Court found Dennis Co, General Manager of Empress Royal Tours and Travel Services (formerly DRC Holiday International Travel and Tours & Consultant SVC Co.) guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of Estafa under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code.

He was sentenced to suffer an Indeterminate Penalty of six months and one day of Prision Correccional as minimum to ten years two months and one day of Prision Mayor as maximum.

The Information alleged that on June 9, 2011, Co represented to one John Karl Cornista that "he could secure airline tickets for three (3) passengers bound for Canada for P105,000." The accused, however, was not able to procure the airline tickets "neither was he able to refund said amount."

Upon demand, Co was able to pay the initial amount of P20,000 agreed upon in their Compromise Agreement but failed to pay the succeeding instalments.

The court also ordered Co to indemnify Cornista the unpaid balance amounting to P85,000 with 12% interest per annum starting from the filing of the Information until the finality of the judgment.

The Secretary commended Assistant State Prosecutor Ramon Chito Mendoza for securing a conviction on the case. She said, "this must serve as a warning to the public to be wary of cheap travel packages being offered by certain agencies as these may turn out to be scams."