The Quezon City Business Permits and Licensing Department has warned local residents against the illegal processing of permits and documents at the City Hall, following the arrest of an alleged fixer who claimed having the “right connection” with the department on Wednesday.
Police identified the suspect as Adelfa Andres, who was caught in an entrapment operation at a fast-food restaurant near the Quezon City Hall.
According to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), Andres asked Elmer Garcia, operations manager of Araw Transport Service Cooperative, to pay P25,000 in exchange for the processing of the cooperative’s business permit.
Garcia said the woman introduced herself as “Zenaida Balingit.” He reported the incident to the QCPD, who immediately arrested the suspect.
The city government stressed that there would be no need to deal with fixers since it has already simplified the process of obtaining permits and documents through a one-stop shop. —Mariejo S. Ramos