Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation-Davao (NBI-11) have arrested five people who allegedly notarized documents even if they are not lawyers.

They were arrested during an entrapment operation.

NBI-11 said the suspects offered notarial services at lower rates and they themselves stamped and signed the documents, pretending to be licensed lawyers and authorized notary public.

Seized from the suspects were various seals and stamps bearing the names of legitimate lawyers.

“Ito sila ang mga nagpapanggap na mga notary public dito sa Davao, which in truth and in fact, wala silang nga license or authority or permit galing sa korte,” NBI-11 Director, Atty. Arcelito Albao, said.

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Davao City Chapter identified two common scenarios in the illegal operation.

In some cases, a legitimate lawyer was reportedly associated with the office but it was allegedly the secretary who signed and notarized the documents, which was illegal.

In other instances, so-called “barkers” put up stalls by the road without licensed lawyers and signed notarized documents.

“Dalawa ‘yung scenario na nakuha natin dito. One is may abogado pero wala duon ‘yuong abogado, ang pumipirma is ‘yung secretary lang. Bawal po ‘yun. Bawal din ang barkers. ‘Yung isang scenario naman is may barker, walang abogado, may mga stalls lang sila sa gilid ng road mismo, and then sila mismo ‘yung pumipirma ng notarized documents. Of course, you will know kung lawyer ‘yan o hindi,” IBP Davao City Chapter President, Atty. Ferdinand Taglucop, said.

The suspects will face charges for estafa through falsification of documents.

One of the suspects arrested reportedly admitted to his involvement.

“Akoa hatod lang nako, tagaan rakog porsyento, mao raman na akoa. Fixer ba, murag style sa gawas, fixer ana ba. Naay niingon sa akoa ana nga ayaw lang mo og dawat anang kaso kay kanang kaso man gud tawagon mo sa Atty ana. Mabulabog mo, kanang ginagmay lang kay uban maglisod silag bayad kay mahal kaayo ang bayad sa abogado nga original, sa amoa pangmasa raman ni,” he said.

IBP-Davao reminded the public that all notarial activities must be done in the office of the notary public and the documents must be signed by the lawyers themselves.

Regional Trial Court 11 Judge Marie Estrellita Tolentino Roxas warned that documents notarized by an unauthorized person is considered null and void.

“If the document is not signed by a notary public then the document is actually void. So, there can never be any transaction or valid transaction at all,” Roxas said.

IBP advised lawyers and clients to observe legal procedures.

“Kung alam mo na nagpapanotarize ka sa fake na notaries public, liable ka by conspiracy kasama ‘yung barker, kasama ‘yung kliyente na nagpapanotaryo, kasama ‘yung nagfalsify ng document. As a matter of fact, to some extent kung ‘yung abogado mismo, alam niya na ginagamit sa falsification ng secretary niya or ng anybody ‘yung notarial commission niya, pwede siya matanggalan ng commission o madisbar,” Taglucop said.