The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday filed criminal charges against a staff of Manila Councilor Ivy Varona for issuing birth certificates to a US-based manufacturing technician.
Maria Marie Liza Cruz, 31, was charged before the Manila Prosecutor’s Office with estafa thru falsification of official documents and violating the anti-graft and corrupt practices law.
Special Investigator III Darwin Francisco of the NBI-Special Task Force said Cruz was nabbed in an entrapment operation at a fastfood chain in Manila on July 28 upon a complaint filed by Susan Dolorfo, 38, a manufacturing technician of Intel Technology Philippines Inc. in General Trias, Cavite.
The NBI found that the birth certificate Cruz had given Dolorfo in exchange for P5,500 was fake and did not come from the National Statistics Office (NSO). Dolorfo had submitted the certificate to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on July 22 to secure a passport.
Dolorfo was chosen by her company to attend a three-month training in the US. She then sought the help of the suspect, who was referred to her by a relative, to facilitate the release of her birth certificate from the NSO.
Dolorfo said she did not confront Cruz about the fake birth certificate, but was surprised when the suspect continued to text her and even offer her services again should she need additional documents for the US Embassy.
Dolorfo decided to file a complaint with the NBI, whose agents advised her to help trap Cruz by asking for another birth certificate. – Sandy Araneta