INVESTIGATIVE DOCUMENTARIES


Fixers do brisk business as slots remain elusive for passport applicants


Despite discouragement from the government, and despite the fact that it costs more, some Filipinos still avail of the services of unauthorized individuals or "fixers" in applying for their passports, believing it is faster and involves less hassle.
An episode of GMA News TV's Investigative Documentaries that aired on Thursday night said fixers can be those loitering outside the consular offices of the Department o Foreign Affairs (DFA) or those who use social media for their operation. The prices of their services range from P500 to P5,000.
The show, hosted by Malou Mangahas, told the story of "Jean" who was able to renew her passport through the help of a fixer on social media.
Like many who patronize fixers, Jean said she decided to avail of their services after she repeatedly failed to snag an appointment slot through the DFA's online passport appointment system.

"Nag-start ako mag-book online mga last week ng December. Tapos noong time na iyon wala na akong makuhang slot for, kahit March wala," said Jean. "So nag-try uli ako ng January, mga first week ng January. Wala pa rin akong makuha."
After many sleepless nights waiting for a slot to become available, Jean got wind of a Facebook page selling passport appointment slots.  She immediately grabbed the opportunity, even though she knew it would cost her more.
"Naiinis kasi parang, 'di ba libre iyan (appointment)? Bakit kailangan mong
bayaran? Tapos ang mas nakakasama pa ng loob roon ay mas mahal pa iyong
assistance nila kesa roon sa mismong passport," she said.

On top of the actual cost of the passport renewal, Jean said she had to pay "booking fee" amounting to P2,000 to P5,000.
Jean said she was forced to avail of the services of the online fixer because she was pressed for time, as she and her family are planning to visit Singapore this month, and her passport is expiring in June.
"Iyong talagang kailangang-kailangan mo na talaga. So wala kang magagawa kung hindi patulan iyon," she said.
Fixers offering appointment slots also operate outside of the DFA-Aseana in Pasay City, as Investigative Documentaries found out through the use of surveillance video.

The video showed an Investigative Documentaries staff member being approached by a fixer outside DFA-Aseana. The fixer said his "contact" can give the staff member an appointment for early February for the price of P2,000.
At a building just in front of DFA-Aseana, fixers also openly offer their services. One offered the staff member a slot for the first week of March for P500. Upon payment, the fixer told the staff member to wait for a text message informing her of the schedule.
The transaction occurred in a second-floor "office" in the building, with walls plastered with posters offering passport-related assistance. The fixer gave the staff member an unofficial receipt as proof of transaction.
The DFA, which is discouraging applicants to avail of the services of fixers, said its campaign against these unauthorized persons selling slots is hindered by the agency's lack of police power.
"Wala kaming police power. That’s the problem," said DFA Assistant Secretary Frank Cimafranca, adding to go after fixers they need to enlist the help of law enforcement bodies like the police and the National Bureau of Investigation.
"I would caution people na huwag niyong tangkilikin ang mga iyan because not
only it is costly on your part," Cimafranca said.
Cimafranca also said they are looking into Facebook pages that are selling passport appointment slots, adding this is probably done through "Internet bots" and not through collusion between fixers and DFA personnel. —KBK, GMA News

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