Corruption in the form of "fixing" undermines the efficiency of public service and erodes trust in government institutions. Under Philippine law, engaging with or acting as a fixer is a serious criminal and administrative offense. This article outlines the legal framework, the definition of the crime, and the procedural steps for reporting such activities.

I. The Legal Framework: R.A. 11032

The primary legislation governing this issue is Republic Act No. 11032, also known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018. This law amended the older Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007 (R.A. 9485) to provide more teeth to the government's campaign against bureaucratic delays and corruption.

What is "Fixing"?

Under Section 4(g) of R.A. 11032, fixing is defined as:

"Any act that involves undue facilitation of transactions in any government office or agency or any other similar self-serving activity for personal gain or advantage."

A fixer can be a private individual or a government employee who offers to "speed up" a process in exchange for money, favors, or other forms of compensation.

II. How to Identify a Fixer

Fixers typically operate near government buildings (like the LTO, DFA, or BIR) or even online. Common red flags include:

Claims of "insider connections" or "backdoor" processing.
Requests for "expediting fees" not listed in the official Citizen’s Charter.
Promises to bypass required examinations, appearances, or documentation.

III. The Reporting Process

If you encounter a fixer or a government employee participating in fixing activities, you are encouraged to take formal action.

1. Gather Evidence

To build a strong case, document the encounter thoroughly:

Identification: Name of the fixer, their physical description, or the office/window they are associated with.
Documentation: Copies of any unofficial receipts, text messages, or emails.
Witnesses: Names and contact details of people who saw the interaction.
Details: Note the exact date, time, and location of the incident.

2. Where to File the Complaint

There are several channels available for reporting:

Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA): The primary body tasked with implementing R.A. 11032. You can file complaints via their website, email (complaints@arta.gov.ph), or their physical office.
Civil Service Commission (CSC): Through the Contact Center ng Bayan (CCB) at 1-6565 or their website. The CSC handles complaints specifically against government employees.
Office of the Ombudsman: Primarily for cases involving high-ranking officials or significant graft and corruption.
8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center: The national hotline for reporting grievances and corruption in the executive branch.

3. Filing the Formal Complaint

A formal complaint usually requires a Sworn Affidavit (Salaysay) detailing the incident. This must be notarized to be used as primary evidence in administrative or criminal proceedings.

IV. Penalties and Sanctions

R.A. 11032 imposes heavy penalties to deter fixing activities. These apply to both the fixer and any government official found to be in collusion with them.

Offense	Penalty (Administrative/Criminal)
First Offense	Administrative liability with six (6) months suspension without pay.
Second Offense	Dismissal from service, perpetual disqualification from holding public office, and forfeiture of retirement benefits.
Criminal Liability (Fixers)	Imprisonment of one (1) to six (6) years and a fine of not less than ₱20,000 but not more than ₱200,000.

Note: If the offender is a government employee, the criminal penalties are imposed in addition to the administrative penalties.

V. Protective Measures for the Reporter

The law protects individuals who report fixers. Under the Ease of Doing Business Act, the identity of the complainant can be kept confidential to prevent retaliation. Furthermore, the "Zero-Contact Policy" is strictly enforced in many agencies to minimize the opportunities for fixers to intervene in the first place.

By reporting fixers, citizens play a crucial role in cleaning up the bureaucracy. Remember: Government services are a right, and paying extra for them is not a requirement—it is a crime.