A measure extending the validity of authorization to solemnize marriage of priests, ministers or rabbis was filed at the House of Representatives.

House Bill 9897 author ACTS-CIS Rep. Eric Go Yap proposed the extension of the validity from three years to five years.

The measure seeks to amend the Republic Act. No. 6514.

“Our priests, ministers, rabbis, and other solemnizing officers play a very vital role in our communities. They strengthen our relationship with our partners and our families,” Yap said.

“Through the passage of HBN 9897, we seek to take some burden off their backs by extending the validity of authorization to solemnize marriage from three (3) years to five years,” he added.

Yap was prompted to file the measure after the Association of Baguio Benguet Solemnizing Officers raised a concern over the validation of the authorization to solemnize marriage.

“ As we work towards making government services more efficient, we shall address this issue to make it easier for our solemnizing officers to continue with their line of work. Rest assured that we will lobby this in Congress for the immediate passage of this measure,” the solon said.

Article 95 of the Civil Code of the Philippines states that a public official in charge of registration of priests, ministers or rabbis with the approval of the proper head of department, is hereby authorized to prepare the necessary forms and to promulgate rules and regulations for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of the Act.

If HBN 9897 is approved, authorization to solemnize marriages will now be valid for a period of five years which expires on the 31st day of December of every fifth year.

LTO-LES month-long operation yielded 47 fixers

SOME 47 illegal fixers were arrested by the Inter-Government Unit in a month’s operations in different offices of the Land Transportation Office, a ranking official of the agency said.

LTO-Law Enforcement Service (LES) director Atty. Clarence V. Guinto said the fixers were arrested from June 27 to August 4 by personnel of IGA composed of LTO-Anti-Red Tape, Philippine National Police and local government units.

Guinto added that the agency replaced 64 security guards of LTO offices in LTO-National Capital Region (NCR) who were reportedly in connivance with the arrested fixers.

Guinto said 25 out of 47 arrested individuals cases have been filed before the court and are now pending for decision.

The other 20 individuals arrested were issued citation tickets and warned, said Guinto.

The ARTA under the leadership of Director General Jeremiah Belgica filed administrative cases against barangay officials and LTO personnel for failure to supervise their respective areas and offices.

“Hindi po titigil ang leadership ng LTO sa kampanya laban sa mga illegal fixers hanggang malinis po ang agency,” said Guinto.

Prior to the all-out-war on illegal fixers in June, Transportation Assistant Secretary and LTO Chief Edgar Galvante and ARTA director general Belgica launched the inter-agency unit to intensify anti-fixers operations in NCR and other provinces.