Ex-barangay exec gets 2 years for faking driver's licenses

MANILA – A former barangay official has been sentenced to two years imprisonment as part of the Land Transportation Office's (LTO) crackdown on fixers and other illegal activities.

In a statement on Wednesday, LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said a municipal trial court in Iloilo ordered Mary Jane Bama to pay a P5,000 fine for her illegal activities.

Bama was convicted of five counts of falsification by a private individual under Article 172, Paragraph 1 in relation to Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code.

"Hindi tayo papayag na may mga kliyente tayong mai-scam ng mga taong ito dahil bawat sentimong kanilang binibitawan ay mahalaga dahil pinag-hirapan ito. Magsilbi sanang aral ito sa iba na tumigil na sa kanilang mga iligal na gawain (We will not allow these criminals to scam people out of their hard-earned money. This should serve as a lesson to others that they should stop their illegal activities)," Mendoza said.

He also lauded LTO 6 (Western Visayas) for their efforts to rid their offices of illegal activities, including filing charges and ensuing legal offensive.

The court case is the latest development after an operation against fake driver's licenses that resulted in the arrest of Bama. (PNA)