Raps filed vs. 4 Register of Deeds officials for violations to ease of doing business rule

The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) filed on Thursday (May 20) cases against four Register of Deeds officials before the Office of the Ombudsman for imposing cut-offs during work hours and other violations to ease of doing business rule.

The filing of administrative charges were recommended against Atty. Neil Tabbu, Acting Deputy Registrar of Deeds of Caloocan City, for violation of the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018. 

ARTA investigators found the Register of Deeds of Caloocan City to be implementing a cut-off from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. only. The office is closed on Fridays for disinfection. 

Tabbu explained to ARTA on February 26 that documents are subjected to up to four-hour UV disinfection which causes delay of processing and long queues. He added that their employees even work an hour before duty hours and receive the requirements of those in the queue before the cut-off.

ARTA said there is a clear violation of the law on imposition of cut-off hours and called the office’s UV disinfection measure “highly preposterous and dangerous” since 30 minutes of UV disinfection is enough.

A case was also filed against Atty. Marissa Timones, Registrar of Deeds of the City of Manila, for implementing a cut-off during a surprise inspection by ARTA on February 19.

Timones admitted that it was her directive to impose a 3:00 p.m. cut-off, but argued that it was pursuant to law and cited a memorandum dated October 22, 2020 and Rule VII, Section 7 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. No. 11032. 

The office also allegedly violated the Zero-Contact Policy and refusal to accept application or request with complete requirements being submitted by an applicant or requesting party without due cause.

ARTA also filed a case against Atty. Dinna Mantuano-Lao, Registrar of Deeds of Malabon and Navotas after investigation showed that its office hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Its signage also said that the office is closed on Fridays for disinfection. However, no disinfection teams were seen but the office was closed on March 5 during a surprise inspection. Lao has not yet responded on the matter. 

Another case was filed against Atty. Melbian Jerome Laraño, Deputy Registrar of Deeds of Calamba for violation of Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

This was after a frontline staff of the office did not accept the submitted requirements of a land registration fee payor, and erroneously said that the Deed of Sale requires signatures from two witnesses. 

The official eventually allegedly threatened to deny the registration due to submission of incomplete requirements. (ARTA) /AG-rir