Man charged for impersonating retired judge

MANILA, Philippines - A man was charged by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for allegedly impersonating a retired judge and signing his name on contracts as a notary public.

Manuel Tanjutco, who was arrested on July 30, was charged with usurpation, falsification by private individual, and estafa before the Manila prosecutor’s office.

The complainant, retired judge Leodegario Belarmino, said a certain Carl Fernandez went to his office on July 23 “questioning my authority to act as notary public” for his contract of lease.

Belarmino checked the document and saw his name as the notary public with an office in Blumentritt, Manila. He filed a complaint with the NBI, whose agents arrested Tanjutco.