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Wednesday, December 15, 2004
City asks IBP: Enforce ban on ‘sidewalk work’
SOME notaries public still hold office on sidewalks and other “inappropriate” places, two years after the Supreme Court (SC) ordered to stop it, so as not to “degrade” the profession.
The practice was again brought to the public’s attention after an affidavit fixer stabbed another on the stairs of the Cebu City Hall Friday last week.
The City Government is now asking the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu City chapter to enforce the SC memorandum.
In an interview, IBP Cebu City president Democrito Barcenas said they will take action once they get the facts of the matter. He promised to contact Vice Mayor Michael Rama to know the current situation at City Hall.
The stabbing, precipitated by an argument, disrupted a mass held at the entrance of the old City Hall building.
Civil Service Unit (CSU) Chief Marino Rodriguez Jr. said fixers are now banned from entering City Hall and ordered to stay at least 50 meters from its premises.
Under existing rules, a notary public commissioned by the courts should render notarial services only in his office.
However, notarial services can also be performed in convention halls and other appropriate public places for administering oaths of office and signing contracts, deeds and other documents requiring notarization.
It can also be held in the residence of any party to a contract, deed or other document, and in hospitals and other medical institutions where a party to a contract is confined.
At Cebu City Hall, those applying for permits, electricity connections and other transactions that need notary services are lured by affidavit fixers prowling on the steps of the old building.
Rodriguez said the said fixers were a nuisance because they acted as if they owned the building and sometimes heckled those who ignored them.
He added he received unconfirmed reports that the fixers would just go to the comfort rooms, fill up the forms and sign the documents themselves.
“Gipang-ilad ra diay ng mga magpanotaryo,” Rodriguez said.
Barcenas also said that after the SC circular was released, IBP Cebu called the attention of lawyers who notarized documents on the sidewalks.
He said they even tried approaching a fixer, but were refused when they asked to be led to the notary public. (RHM)
(December 15, 2004 issue)
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