P’sinan fake teacher sentenced to prison

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- Professional Regulation Commission Chairperson Teresita R. Manzala announced a fake professional teacher here was recently sent to prison for a maximum of two years and pay a fine of P5,000.  

                Lingayen Municipal Trial Court Judge Mervin Jovito S. Samadan found Mary Grace Bautista-Fernandez guilty of falsification of public document.                 Fernandez was charged by the Pangasinan Provincial Prosecutor’s Office upon the complaint of the PRC for using a forged secondary professional teacher license.  

                Manzala said the court judgment demonstrated the political will of the PRC to exercise its mandate – to protect the public welfare through effective regulation of professional practice.

                She warned aspiring professionals against dealing with fixers and to pass the licensure examinations through legitimate means.

                She also appealed to the public to be vigilant and for employers to verify professional documents.

                The public can verify professional credentials atwww.prc.gov.ph. 

                According to Manzala, the court decision was the first conviction among 18 other cases that the PRC Baguio Regional Office investigated or has filed in courts.   She directed the PRC Baguio Office to further intensify anti-fixing programs in cooperation with regional agencies and local government units.

                She also directed the full implementation of the Online Application System to facilitate the processing of professional documents and minimize, if not eradicate, acts of fixing. 

                Manzala commended the PRC Baguio Regional Office, National Bureau of Investigation – CAR and the Pangasinan Provincial Prosecutor’s Office for the court decision which, according to her was a victory for the public welfare.