IBP to NBI: Go after illegal notarial service

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines yesterday requested the National Bureau of Investigation to intensify its operation against those acting as lawyers performing illegal notarial services.

In a resolution, the city chapter of the IBP asked the NBI to launch crackdown on these illegal activities and go after those lawyers who allowed their names to be used for a commission of the income.

IBP city chapter president Alex Tolentino said criminal charges should be filed against those who pose as lawyers for usurpation of authority and administrative charges should also be filed against lawyers who allowed their names to be used.

Tolentino said they would ask the NBI to file a petition for the cancellation of the notarial commission against lawyers found to be violating the 2004 rules on notarial practice. Under the rules, lawyers should not delegate the function to anybody, especially those who are non-lawyers.

Tolentino admitted that there are lawyers who purposely allowed people to perform notarial services on their behalf. Last week, lawyer Dario Rama, Jr. admitted before Tolentino that he allowed a certain Belinda Crisologo to perform a notarial service outside the City Hall using his name.

Crisologo was arrested last week during an entrapment operation conducted by the NBI because of the complaint filed by the IBP.

Crisologo said she was just tasked by Rama to perform the notarial service for a commission of the income. Rama went to NBI after the arrest and admitted that he indeed allowed Crisologo to do the notarial service but not to sign the documents.

Rama said he was supposed to sign the documents but Crisologo had signed them on his behalf. Crisologo has already been charged with usurpation of authority.

Tolentino said that after Crisologo, others who perform illegal notarial services outside the City Hall would be the next target of the IBP and NBI. - Fred P. Languido/LPM