Suspected LTFRB fixer nabbed

A businesswoman blamed for the proliferation of "colorum" vehicles in Metro Manila was arrested last Wednesday in Quezon City for 16 counts of estafa cases.

Maurella Araja, 47, did not resist arrest when cornered by elements of the Regional Intelligence and Special Operations Office (RISOO) at a restaurant located at the corner of East Avenue and V. Luna Extension in Barangay Pinyahan, Diliman at 7 p.m.

RISOO head Superintendent Sotero Ramos Jr. said Araja also acts as a "fixer" at the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

He said applicants of LTFRB franchises would approach Araja to have their vehicles registered with the said government agency "without hassle."

"On different occasions, the accused through false pretenses and deceit, unlawfully and feloniously made representation with the complainants that she had the capacity, power, and influence to cause and facilitate the release of their Certificate of Public Convenience and other supporting franchise documents for their vehicles," he said.

The applicants would hand over cash, ranging from P50,000 to P65,000, to Araja for the said purpose. She would then issue them stickers.

However, the applicants would soon find their vehicles being flagged down by law enforcers for being "colorums."

When confronted, Araja would promise to return the applicants’ money. She, however, never kept her promise.

Ramos said Araja was the subject of five warrant of arrests issued by courts in Pasig City, and Parañaque City. A total of P362,000 bail has been recommended for her temporary liberty.

The RISOO chief said Araja admitted the accusations against her were true.

"The complainants just want their money returned," Ramos told The Star.

Araja is currently talking with the complainants for possible settlement .

When they learned about Araja’s arrest, at least 12 other victims surfaced yesterday at RISOO headquarters at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City to lodge a formal complaint against her.

She is now detained at the RISOO detention center pending her transfer to the courts concerned and subsequent commitment to jail.