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June 15, 2012
A con artist posing as a lawyer for a long time finally fell into the hands of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) during an operation in Mandaluyong City early this week. The NBI identified the suspect as, SENEN JOSE C. DUADICO, 50 years old, a resident of Cordillera St. Mandaluyong City. Investigation disclosed that complainant Rosalind A. Geolagon met suspect Duadico sometime in March 2012 while she was looking for a notary public who could prepare a complaint affidavit. She was considering filing charges against the management of a Mandaluyong City based mall where she owns a stall at its "tiagge section". Duadico volunteered to represent Geolagon and charged P1,800.00 as filing and notarial fees. However, the lawyer-client relationship turns sour when Duadico failed to produce receipts for the filing fees he collected from complainant despite the latter's persistence in asking for it. Geolagon became suspicious prompting her to verify with the Supreme Court if Duadico is indeed a lawyer. It turned out that suspect is not a member of the Philippine Bar as certified by the Office of the Bar Confidant of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. Record check conducted revealed that Duadico had been issued warrants of arrest by various courts, and upon verification, it was learned that the same remained standing as suspect have not yet been arrested. The warrants include, 1. Pasig RTC, Br.69 for Indirect Contempt; 2. Quezon City RTC, Br.224 for Direct Contempt; 3. Makati MTC, Br.64 for Estafa and Usurpation of Authority. Subsequently, on June 11, 2012 NBI operatives proceeded to suspect's office in Mandaluyong City and served the arrest warrant issued by the Pasig City Court. Duadico was brought to the NBI main office where he was booked. He is presently detained at the NBI detention cell. Charges for estafa under Art. 315 of the Revised Penal Code and usurpation of authority under Art.177 of the RPC are readied against Duadico before the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor's Office. |