Promises of medical assistance, scholarships and bail for detained relatives allegedly became a way to collect money from desperate applicants, prompting the National Bureau of Investigation-Cebu District Office (NBI-CEBDO) to arrest a man accused of posing as a government employee.
NBI-CEBDO head Atty. Arnel Pura identified the suspect as Christian De Asis during a press conference on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. The suspect faces several complaints, including one involving Mandaue City Rep. Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon.
Pura said De Asis allegedly introduced himself as a staff member of Ouano-Dizon’s office, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH) and other government agencies, claiming he could facilitate requests for assistance.
He allegedly collected money for supposed transportation allowances and processing fees but failed to deliver the promised assistance.
De Asis was arrested on Oct. 14 after Ouano-Dizon sought the NBI’s help over his alleged misrepresentation of her office.
Four more complainants came forward after the arrest. Two alleged that De Asis offered to process medical assistance, while two others said he promised to facilitate bail for detained family members.
“Sige siya og dawat og kwarta, pero way resulta,” Pura said.
At least five alleged victims visited the NBI-CEBDO office on Tuesday to report their experiences. One complainant reportedly paid the suspect more than P100,000.
Dianita Ochia said she gave De Asis more than P100,000 from March to April this year after he offered to help secure the release of her son, who had been arrested by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
Ochia alleged that De Asis used photographs of himself with Sixth District Rep. Daphne Lagon to gain her trust. He initially asked for P1,899, describing it as an information fee, before allegedly demanding additional payments.
From March 24 to April 13, Ochia also received messages from someone claiming to be a police officer involved in her son’s arrest. The sender allegedly threatened that her son would be arrested if she failed to provide money.
She later discovered that De Asis was allegedly behind the messages.
“Paghiman-himan diay iyaha ra tong number, siya ra gihapon,” Ochia said.
Another complainant, Dionesio Suplaag, said De Asis approached him at a hospital while his sibling was receiving medical care.
The suspect allegedly claimed to work for the DOH and offered to arrange the patient’s transfer to another hospital through coordination with the DOH and DSWD. He allegedly asked for at least P4,500 for notarization and other expenses.
The transaction did not proceed after Suplaag’s wife became suspicious. Suplaag said Ouano-Dizon’s office covered the hospital expenses.
Edna Gozon, another complainant, said De Asis approached her while a family member was preparing for hospital discharge. Posing as a staff member of Ouano-Dizon’s office, he allegedly asked for P400 in transportation expenses.
Gozon said the suspect promised to facilitate the discharge but returned only the following day with a DSWD guarantee letter.
Precious Torreta, political affairs assistant to Ouano-Dizon, clarified that the congresswoman’s office does not authorize middlemen to process requests for medical or burial assistance, hospital bills or laboratory expenses.
Applicants must transact directly with the office or its designated assistance desk, which processes requests without collecting money from beneficiaries, Torreta said.
“Wala gyud cash nga mugawas sa opisina, papel lang gyud na nga referral, direct na na sa partner agency ni Cong. Lolypop. Ang budget diretso na na sa national line agencies,” she said.
Kiam Arche, a medical staff member at the congresswoman’s office, said the help desk also assists applicants who have difficulty completing requirements and securing documents.
She said the office works with applicants to address documentation problems so they can proceed without relying on fixers.
Pura said De Asis could face charges of estafa, violations of cybercrime laws and violations of the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act. He added that complaints involving falsification of documents and complex estafa could also be pursued.
The NBI-CEBDO urged the public to verify the identities of people claiming to represent government agencies and avoid paying unauthorized individuals in exchange for assistance.
“We request the public to be vigilant and to verify the legitimacy of any person claiming to be representing any office,” Pura said.
During the press conference, De Asis admitted wrongdoing and apologized to the alleged victims and Ouano-Dizon.
“Kahibaw ko nakasala ko, kang Congresswoman Lolypop, tabangi pod ko,” he said.
“Grabe akong pagmahay, nagmahay gyud ko,” he added, expressing remorse.
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