Two fixers were arrested in a cafeteria outside the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in Sampaloc, Manila, in a joint entrapment operation by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Monday (July 12).
The suspects were identified as Ruben Navales, 52, resident of Bacoor, Cavite; and Dante Peregrino, 32, resident of Camarin, Caloocan.
Investigation showed that an agent from ARTA-CIDG transacted with the two fixers on July 5. The agent was asked to pay P1,700 for the processing of the requirements for his PRC ID. The actual fee for the transaction is more or less P500.
The agent met with the fixers on July 12, or a week after the said transaction, at a cafeteria in front of PRC to claim his ID and to pay for another supposed transaction. Elements of ARTA-CIDG later arrested the fixers.
Three PRC IDs, one for a teacher, another for an accountant, and one for an engineer—the one processed for the ARTA agent—were retrieved from the fixers. Also recovered was the P1,700 entrapment money.
ARTA Director-General Sec. Jeremiah Belgica, who was present during the entrapment operation, said they will ask the Manila city government to investigate the management of the cafeteria where the fixers were arrested.
If they are found to be cohorts of the arrested fixers, they may face the suspension of their business permit.
“‘Yung mga establisyementong ganito, pinapa-imbestigahan… posibleng humarap sa cancellation ng business permit,” he told reporters.
Belgica also tapped the officials of PRC for a joint investigation in the agency after it was found that the IDs the fixers had were legitimate.
It was also found that on the day the agent paid the fixers, an appointment, as well as the release date for the PRC ID, was set.
Belgica noted that when they tried to apply for a PRC ID online, the release date was set in November. But the fixers were able to get hold of legitimate PRC IDs in July.
“Nakita namin na July 5 nagbayad ‘yung agent namin, July 5 din nakapag-set ng appointment. So, may access talaga sa system… napasukan talaga ‘yung system sa loob, mukhang may kasabwat,” he said.
The Authority is also looking at the angle that the fixers are taking advantage of the public’s perception that government services are slow and difficult.
The ARTA chief again reminded government agencies, as well as private stakeholders, to not allow fixers to stay within the vicinity of their offices and establishments.
He also warned the public not to engage fixers as this will only encourage others to continue offering illegal services.
“A license is just a privilege extended to a person,” he said, addressing those applying for PRC IDs. “Kung nakakagawa ka ng ilegal sa ibang aspeto ng iyong buhay, ibang dealings, eh baka nagagawa mo rin sa ibang dealings.”
“Huwag mag-engage sa fixers. Pumasok kayo sa loob.. subukan natin ang mga proseso ng gobyerno. Ngayon, kung ipitin ang papel niyo sa loob, lumapit kayo sa ARTA… kakalampagin namin ang agencies,” he added. “Let us not abet corruption.”
The nabbed suspects are now under CIDG custody and will be facing charges for violation of Republic Act No 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018. (ARTA) – jlo
