The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has issued subpoenas to employees of the Bacolod City’s Treasurer’s and Business Permits and Licensing offices over alleged involvement in the issuance of fake business permits.
The two employees were summoned on Tuesday, January 23.
“We want to find out who are faking them because a syndicate might be involved,” Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Wednesday.
Benitez said he sought the NBI’s help as early as last year following complaints that fake business permits had been issued, and that fixers were involved.
He said some regular city government employees are being investigated, while others are no longer employed by the city.
“I trust the NBI to do its job so those making fake business permits do not do it again,” he said.
He has sought the NBI’s intervention to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation, Benitez said.
This development underscores the city’s commitment to upholding transparency and integrity in its administrative processes, he said.
The city government has taken steps to put safety seals on public documents to prevent forgeries.*