2 alleged fixers nabbed in QC; Belmonte issues stern warning vs corruption

The Quezon City Hall (File Photo)

MANILA, Philippines — Two Quezon City Hall employees were taken into custody for allegedly soliciting bribes to expedite the release of documents, the local government said on Saturday.

The employees, who remain unidentified, were arrested in a sting operation by the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Thursday following a complaint lodged by a victim seeking assistance.

On April 18, a client of the City Treasurer’s Office applied for a Certificate of Retirement of Business.

The suspects, a Revenue Examiner and an Administrative Aide, assessed the client’s requirements and imposed a charge of  P77,632 as the total tax due before business retirement.

However, during the processing of his certificate, the client alleged that the employees demanded an additional P50,000 to fast-track the release of his documents, on the condition that the “discounted rate” would not be issued an official receipt.

This prompted the client to file a complaint against the two employees at the QCPD, which led to the entrapment operation.

On Friday, the QCPD lodged a case against the suspects for violating Republic Act 9485, or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.

Mayor Joy Belmonte condemned the incident, promising that the local government will hold any erring officials to account.

“We will not tolerate these types of abuses and excesses against our QCitizens, especially when our own government employees are involved,” Belmonte said in a statement.

“Corruption has no place in the City Government. We have a zero tolerance policy against corruption,” Belmonte said in a statement. “We will not take this issue lightly and we will take appropriate measures to ensure that our public servants have integrity and are transparent because the constituents deserve the best services from us.”

Belmonte also vowed to go after city government clients who offer bribes, cut corners or circumvent the processes, laws and regulations of the government.

Belmonte also vowed to take action against city government clients who accept or ask for bribes, cut corners, or circumvent government processes, laws, and regulations.

“Here in QC, we will never condone the ‘palakasan’ system. No one should dangle money or gifts in exchange for special favors or a shortcut to our processes. We have embraced digitalization so that everything is done expeditiously, eliminating red tape,” she said.

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