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Probe Cabinet impostors, Lacierda asks NBI


Palace spokesperson Edwin Lacierda on Tuesday asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into reports that an impostor had used his and other Cabinet officials’ names to extort money or curry special favors. Lacierda said the names of Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad have been used in similar cases. “My name has again been used… in four scams already," said Lacierda, referring to cases two weeks ago when an impostor allegedly asked for P10,000 from participants in a golf tournament. “So I would like to ask your help on this matter to ferret out all these people," he told the NBI. Lacierda said he does not deal with private firms, only with other Cabinet secretaries and the media. New incident On Tuesday, the presidential spokesperson received news of another purported incident of identity theft from Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, who told Lacierda that a company inquired about him and the P20,000 cash that he was purportedly asking for. The purpose of the money remained unclear to him. Identifying himself as Secretary Edwin Lacierda who lives in Valle Verde, the person reportedly used the following mobile numbers — 0917-461-2608, 0926-738-0818, and 0916-274-2278 — in calling his intended victim. The supposed impostor asked the victims to send him amounts ranging from P10,000 to P30,000 via a money transfer service. Lacierda had attempted to call the person but was unsuccessful in talking to him. He said his colleague, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, had called up one of the numbers and pretended to be a staff member of Communications Strategy Secretary Ramon “Ricky" Carandang. Valte, who asked the person if he would attend a supposed meeting, said the person did not sound like Lacierda at all. The supposed impostor even confirmed his attendance before ending the call, Lacierda said. To report other instances when he supposedly asks for cash or favors, Lacierda advised the public to check with the Palace or contact him through his mobile number —0917-808-5329. — PE/VS, GMA News

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