NBI captures bogus Malacañang official

MANILA, Philippines —  Criminal cases were filed against a man who was arrested in Quezon City for allegedly posing as a secretary under the Office of the President, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) reported yesterday.

Charges of usurpation of authority under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code were filed against Juanito Tan de Veyra before the city prosecutor’s office, according to NBI Director Jaime Santiago.

Santiago said the Land Transportation Office coordinated with the NBI after De Veyra went to the LTO National Capital Region field office and applied for a special license plate on Aug. 15.

De Veyra reportedly introduced himself to LTO officials as a secretary under the Office of the President.

The suspect also gave a business card, saying he heads the administration’s committee on flagship programs.

Verification with the Presidential Management Staff showed De Veyra was not appointed by President Marcos as secretary, and the committee that he supposedly heads does not exist.

Santiago said an entrapment operation was hatched against De Veyra when he returned to the LTO to inquire about the progress of his application for the license plate.

The suspect bragged that he could give infrastructure projects to government contractors, such as the Department of Public Works and Highways and Department of Transportation.