A man who has claimed falsely as the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs was arrested during an event in Nueva Vizcaya after authorities confirmed he had no ties to Malacañang.

The suspect, who had been presenting himself as an official from the Office of the President, was attending a convention with over 100 Indigenous Peoples (IP) leaders in Nueva Vizcaya when the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) operatives apprehended him.

Unaware that NBI agents were already present at the venue, the man greeted the attendees confidently. However, after verifying their information, the NBI agents approached him and placed him under arrest.

“May kaso kang usurpation of authority. Sumama na lang kayo sa amin,” the NBI agents told the suspect.

An agent from the NBI Special Task Force said the Executive Secretary of the Office of the President issued a negative certification.

"Meron kaming nakuha sa kanyang table, designation nakalagay: Head, Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs, Office of the President," the NBI agent said.

"Nag-issue ang Executive Secretary ng Office of the President ng negative certification na yung subject natin is not related o connected sa Office of the President," the NBI agent added.

The NBI revealed that the suspect had been using his fake identity in letters and project proposals, convincing others that he could get their applications approved through Malacañang.

“Nire-review daw niya ang mga requirements. Siya ang magpapasa sa Office of the President, ina-assure niya kami na kaya niyang paaprubahan ang kung ano man ang application na ipapasa mo," the NBI agent said.

"Ang violation niya under these circumstances is yung Article 177 sa Revised Penal Code o yung usurpation of authority,” The NBI agent added.

The suspect is currently detained at the NBI facility in Bilibid, awaiting further investigation.

Both the Malacañang and the suspect are yet to release a statement, as of this writing.