By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman on Friday warned the public against scammers impersonating as agency employees and using her name to solicit money.
“Mariin po nating kinokondena ang ganitong klaseng panloloko. Wala po kaming binibigyan ng pahintulot sa DBM na manghingi o mangolekta ng pera para sa kahit anong transaksyon (We strongly condemn this kind of deception. No one is authorized by the DBM to solicit or collect money for any transaction),” Pangandaman said in a statement.
“Kapag may lumapit po sa inyo na may ganitong offer, agad ninyo po itong i-report sa amin at sa kinauukulan (If someone approaches you with such an offer, please report it immediately to us and to the proper authorities).”
Pangandaman issued the statement after receiving reports that two individuals, identified as Mariz Luna and Lilian Jordan, have been approaching local government units while claiming to be affiliated with the DBM.
As part of their scheme, the suspects allegedly promised local officials a share of a supposed PHP1-billion reward from the Bureau of Customs (BOC), in exchange for an advance payment of PHP10 million to their group.
The DBM, after thorough verification, confirmed that the suspects are neither employees nor officials of the agency, adding that the fraudulent activity is “clearly exploitative and illegal.”
BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno denied the existence of such a reward, saying the agency has no program or transaction that involves collecting payments from local government units.
“Mariin naming tinututulan ang paggamit ng pangalan ng BOC sa mga scam na ganito. Sisiguruhin namin na ang mga mahuhuli ay haharap sa kaukulang kaso (We strongly oppose the misuse of the BOC’s name in such scams. We will ensure that those caught will face the appropriate charges,” Nepomuceno said.
The DBM also assured continued coordination with relevant agencies to identify, investigate, and hold accountable those behind the scam.
Pangandaman advised the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to avoid falling victim to scammers, middlemen, impostors, or groups making false representations.
The public was advised to lodge concerns through the DBM Community Relations Office hotline at 8657-3300 local 2524, or via email at public_assistance@dbm.gov.ph.
The DBM vowed to maintain strict confidentiality regarding the identities of individuals who report fraudulent schemes. (PNA)
