Legislation seeks to curb production, use of fake school credentials

MANILA, Philippines - Concerned that the faking of diplomas and school transcripts remains rampant, a bill imposing stiffer penalties on the practice is now pending in the House of Representatives. House Bill 5054 or the Authentic Academic Credentials Bill seeks to prohibit the use, issuance, manufacture and sale of false academic credentials and impose a penalty of arresto menor or up to 30 days, a fine of up to P10,000, or both at the discretion of the court. "Those people operating in Claro M. Recto and the University Belt in Manila and other parts of the country shall be arrested if found guilty of violating the proposed act," Rep. Narciso Santiago III, author of the bill, said in an article posted on the House of Representatives website Friday. Santiago said both the individual who knowingly uses false academic credentials to obtain employment or a promotion, and the one providing the document will face penalties. He said some unscrupulous people will succumb to the temptation to use or claim to have false academic credentials ot land a job, promotion, admission, loan or recognition. "The evil result of this deception is the possible damage to the other party and to the public because unqualified people may get jobs, positions or responsibilities which they are ill-equipped to handle, or recognition and adulation which do not deserve," he said. - GMANews.TV