Fake lawyer arrested in Caloocan

MANILA, Philippines - A man claiming to be a lawyer was arrested at the Caloocan City government’s Judicial Complex Wednesday afternoon after representing an expelled Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) member during a hearing.

Joaquin Misa’s arrest stemmed from a complaint filed by lawyer Roderick Manzao, an INC member.

Misa was representing ophthalmologist Jose Norilito Fruto, who was charged for allegedly raping a 21-year-old male student last year.

Fruto was allegedly part of a group who accused the INC of being corrupt.

Senior Superintendent Bartolome Bustamante, city police chief, said Misa resisted arrest and cursed at the police officers who apprehended him.

He said Misa was charged with usurpation of authority, falsification of legal documents, using a fictitious name and concealing his true identity, direct contempt, indirect assault, resisting arrest, unjust vexation and alarm and scandal.

Persecuted?

Misa told The STAR he had been practicing law for more than 30 years and was only being charged as part of the “INC’s act of religious persecution against their perceived enemy.”

“Everyone who is against them is a fair game. The only problem I have is that my middle initial was different from what was listed in the Bar Confidant,” he said.

Records from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines show that a Joaquin L. Misa was admitted to the Bar in 1952. Misa, however, is reportedly in his 50s.

Manzano, on the other hand, said he has documents that belie Misa’s claim of being a lawyer.

He said the INC noticed Misa “when he began attacking the church, the leaders, and the members in his pleadings.”

Manzano said Misa was “citing arguments you won’t hear from real practitioners. We sensed something was wrong somewhere.”