The proliferation of forged academic credentials—colloquially associated with notorious hubs like "Recto" in Manila—remains a persistent issue in the Philippines. Presenting, manufacturing, or selling a fake diploma is not merely an ethical breach; it is a serious criminal offense under Philippine law.

Whether you are an employer who discovered a fraudulent applicant, an academic institution protecting its reputation, or a concerned citizen exposing a forgery ring, understanding the legal framework and the exact procedure for reporting these activities to authorities is crucial.

The Legal Framework: Applicable Laws and Penalties

The Philippine legal system penalizes both the creators and the users of falsified academic documents. The primary laws governing these acts include:

1. The Revised Penal Code (RPC)

Article 172 (Falsification by Private Individuals and Use of Falsified Documents): Any private individual who falsifies a public, official, or commercial document (such as a diploma or transcript of records from a state university or government-accredited school) can be held criminally liable.
Use of Falsified Documents: Article 172 also explicitly penalizes any person who, knowingly and with intent to cause damage, uses a falsified document in any judicial or administrative proceeding, or to gain employment.
Penalties: Violators face the penalty of prision correccional (ranging from 6 months and 1 day to 6 years of imprisonment) and a fine.

2. Republic Act No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012)

If the fake diploma was ordered, manufactured, advertised, or transmitted through the internet or digital devices, the offense qualifies as Computer-related Forgery under Section 4(b)(1) of RA 10175. Penalties under the Cybercrime Prevention Act are generally one degree higher than those prescribed by the RPC.

3. Republic Act No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees)

If a government employee utilizes a fake diploma to secure a position, promotion, or salary increase, they violate administrative and criminal laws, leading to perpetual disqualification from public office, forfeiture of benefits, and imprisonment.

Step 1: Verification and Fact-Checking

Before filing a formal report with law enforcement, you must secure prima facie evidence that the document is indeed forged. A suspicion is not enough to initiate a criminal complaint.

For Higher Education (College/University): Contact the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) or the specific school’s Registrar’s Office. Request a Certification, Authentication, and Verification (CAV) of the academic records.
For Basic Education (Elementary/High School): Coordinate with the Department of Education (DepEd) regional or division office.
For Technical-Vocational Courses: Verify through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Note: A formal letter from the school registrar stating that the individual was never enrolled, or that the diploma serial number does not exist in their database, serves as the cornerstone of your evidence.

Step 2: Where to Report the Offense

Depending on the nature of the fraud (whether it involves a public servant, a professional license, or a commercial syndicate), you must approach the appropriate government agency:

A. For General Criminal Prosecution (Sellers, Makers, and Users)

If your goal is to have the perpetrator arrested and criminally prosecuted, you should report to law enforcement agencies:

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI): You may file a complaint with the NBI Cybercrime Division (if the transaction happened online) or the NBI Anti-Fraud Division (for physical forgeries).
Philippine National Police (PNP): You can report to the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) or the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG).

B. For Government Employees and Applicants

If the person using the fake diploma is working in, or applying to, the public sector:

Civil Service Commission (CSC): Submit a formal, verified complaint to the CSC. The CSC strictly penalizes dishonesty and grave misconduct, which carry the penalty of dismissal from service on the first offense.
Office of the Ombudsman: If the individual is a high-ranking public official.

C. For Licensed Professionals

If the fake diploma was used to qualify for a state licensure examination (e.g., nursing, engineering, architecture):

Professional Regulation Commission (PRC): Report the individual to the PRC Legal Service. The PRC can revoke licenses obtained through fraudulent means and bar the individual from taking future exams.

Step 3: Preparing the Documentation

To ensure the authorities take immediate action, prepare a comprehensive complaint binder containing the following:

Affidavit of Complaint: A detailed, chronological narrative written by the employer, school representative, or complainant, stating how the fraud was discovered.
The Spurious Document: The physical copy or clear digital scan of the fake diploma/transcript.
Certification of Non-Record: The official letter or CAV from CHED, DepEd, or the school registrar proving the document is fake.
Proof of Identity/Employment: Evidence that the suspect used the document to gain an advantage (e.g., employment contract, application form signed by the suspect, or resume).
Digital Footprint (if applicable): Screenshots of chat logs, websites, Facebook pages, or payment receipts if the diploma was bought online.

Summary of Actions Based on the Culprit

Scenario	Primary Agency to Contact	Expected Legal Outcome
Online/Physical Seller or Maker	NBI Cybercrime / PNP CIDG	Entrapment operation, Criminal charges under RPC Art. 172 & RA 10175
Private Employee (Applicant)	HR Department / PNP	Immediate termination, Criminal charges for Use of Falsified Documents
Government Employee	Civil Service Commission (CSC)	Administrative dismissal, Forfeiture of benefits, Criminal prosecution
Board Exam Applicant/Passer	Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)	Revocation of license, Perpetual disqualification from board exams

Final Legal Recourse

Forging educational milestones undermines the integrity of the Philippine educational and professional systems. Employers and academic institutions possess the legal right and civic duty to hold fraudsters accountable.

Once your evidence is gathered, walk directly into the nearest NBI or PNP-CIDG field office to file your complaint. The state, through its prosecutors, will handle the filing of criminal cases in court once probable cause is established during the preliminary investigation.