Fake lawyer arrested in Pasay justice hall

MANILA, Philippines - Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recently arrested a fake lawyer at Pasay City’s Hall of Justice.

NBI Director Nestor Mantaring identified the suspect as Dionisio Arevalo, 51, who faces criminal charges for misrepresentation and usurpation of authority.

A report from the NBI said last May 12, an ABS-CBN segment producer requested the bureau’s assistance to investigate Arevalo, who appeared as a lawyer in several cases without a license to practice law from the Supreme Court.

The Office of the Bar Confidant of the Supreme Court stated that Arevalo, who used the Roll of Attorneys No. 15364, is not a member of the Philippine Bar.

The NBI coordinated with the Pasay police and Pasay Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 47 Judge Josephine Vito Cruz. After a hearing last May 13, the lawmen arrested Arevalo outside Vito Cruz’s courtroom.

Several business cards and a San Beda Law Alumni Association Seminar identification card were confiscated from the suspect.           – Sandy Araneta