NBI nabs fake lawyer

Manila, Philippines -  A man who posed as a lawyer was arrested by National Bureau of Investigation agents at his office in Mandaluyong City on June 11, the NBI said yesterday.

The NBI said Senen Jose Duadico, 50, will be charged with estafa and usurpation of authority before the Mandaluyong City prosecutor’s office.

Trader Rosalind Geolagon said she met Duadico last March while she was looking for a notary public who could prepare a complaint affidavit. She said she was considering filing charges against a Mandaluyong mall where she owns a stall.

Duadico volunteered to represent her and charged P1,800 as filing and notarial fees, Geolagon said. She became suspicious when Duadico failed to give her receipts for the fees he charged.

When Geolagon checked with the Supreme Court, she found out Duadico is not a lawyer.

The NBI said Duadico is the subject of arrest warrants issued by various courts: Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 69 for indirect contempt, Quezon City RTC Branch 224 for direct contempt, and Makati RTC Branch 64 for estafa and usurpation of authority.

Duadico is being held at the NBI’s detention cell.