When I initiated the investigation by the local police, city prosecutors, et. al. of the case of a fake notary public operating in Las Pinas City, i.e., a certain EULOGIA B. MANILA, the said officials did not act thereon. My letter is quoted in full below.
LAS PINAS CITY BAR ASSOCIATION (LPBA), INC.
Unit 15, Star Arcade, C.V. Starr Avenue
Philamlife Village, Las Pinas City 1743, Philippines
Tel/Fax: (632) 8725443 & 8742539; Mobile: (0 63 920) 326 8824
Email: lcmlaw@gmail.com, lcmlaw@edsamail.com.ph
Website: http://groups.msn.com/laspinascitybarassociation
April 20, 2006
The CHIEF OF POLICE
PNP Las Pinas Police Station
Hall of Justice
Las Pinas City
RE : EULOGIA B. MANILA
MABUHAY:
The RTC Office of the Clerk of Court (Atty. Zandra Bato) has referred to us the issue of a certain EULOGIA B. MANILA (780 San Jose St., Las Pinas City) who purports herself to be a duly commissioned notary public for and our City, when she is not so commissioned as such by the Regional Trial Court of our City, according to the RTC OCC of Las Pinas City.
The office of Atty. Bato gave us a copy of the attached “affidavit to use the surname of the father” and “affidavit of acknowledgment/admission of paternity”, both notarized by the suspect on April 18, 2006 as Doc. Nos. 388 and 389, page No. 69, Book I, S. 2006, of her Notarial Register. The affiants, “Renato P. Domingo” and “Lovina Z. Medel”, purport to be residents of “San Francisco, Almanza, Las Pinas City”. Their CTCs are indicated on the said notarized documents.
The suspect purports herself to be the holder PTR No. 8991599 issued on January 27, 2006 in our City.
Per the Supreme Court website (http://www.supremecourt.gov.ph/default.htm), there are only three (3) registered/licensed lawyers in the Philippines with the official surname MANILA, to wit:
“1. MANILA, ANDRES M.; Daraga, Legaspi City; Admitted to the Bar on March 29, 1949;
2. MANILA, OLEGARIO M.; Lucena City; Admitted to the Bar on March 20, 1967; and
3. MANILA, SERAFIN M.; Sto. Tomas, Batangas; Admitted to the Bar on March 09, 1964.”
We respectfully request your office to conduct a police detective work on the case to establish the criminal liabilities of the suspect under the Notarial Law, the Administrative Code, the Revised Penal Code, and other applicable laws, for filing/referral by your office with the Office of the City Prosecutor of our City.
Your men may personally interview the staff of the RTC OCC at the Hall of Justice of Las Pinas City as part of their over-all detective work on this matter.
At our end, once the facts are confirmed by your office and once we have received your Report on this matter, we shall take the proper steps to coordinate with your office, RTC Executive Judge of our City, the Office of the City Prosecutor, the IBP PPLM Chapter and/or the IBP National Office, and the Supreme Court to help protect the integrity and nobility of the Philippine Bar and to preserve the sanctity of the rule of law in our country.
Kindly act on this matter soonest at your most convenient time. Thank you, God bless.
Sincerely,
Atty. MANUEL LASERNA JR.
Outgoing Chairman, LPBA, 2005-2006
VP, IBP PPLM Chapter, 2005-2007
Professor of Law, FEU Institute of Law
Enclosed : As Stated Above.
Cc:
- The RTC OCC Las Pinas City
- The RTC Executive Judge, Las Pinas City
- The Pres. & the Board , IBP PPLM Chapter
- The Pres. & Secretariat, IBP National Office
- The Bar Confidant, Supreme Court, Manila
- The LPBA Chairperson, President & Board
- Office of the City Prosecutor
- The City Mayor
- The City Vice Mayor
- The City Representative
- File