According to a "24 Oras" report by John Consulta, who pretended to be a defense lawyer, introduced himself as “Atty. Elias Estrella,” who was found to be dead for years.
“Hindi siya abugado. Yung inassume niya ay patay na as evidenced by a death certificate na submitted to us," National Bureau of Investigation-Cabanatuan head agent Dom Villanueva said. "Personal palang kilala ni Judge yung patay na abugado at ni Atty. Dick Fernandez ng IBP,” Villanueva added. NBI agents who arrested the suspect recovered a driver's license and other identification cards bearing the name of the dead lawyer.He is currently being held at the NBI detention facility and will face falsification of public documents and identity theft charges.
"Mahihinto na ang panloloko niya, posing as a fake lawyer. Iimbestigahan din natin ang mga previous cases na nirepresent niya in court," Villanueva said.