LTO Region 7 cited for anti-corruption initiatives

MANDAUE CITY – In line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s mission to rid the government of corruption, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Region 7 has taken numerous steps in eradicating corrupt activities in all LTO offices within the region.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade commended the ongoing efforts of the regional agency, citing its measures against graft and corruption that aim to regain the public’s trust in the agency’s services.

“We welcome the anti-corruption initiatives of LTO Region VII. It is our hope that these measures will strengthen public trust in the agency. We reiterate that corruption of any form will not be tolerated, and those who will be found guilty shall face the full extent of the law,” Tugade stressed.

Among the steps taken by LTO Region 7 was the filing of a complaint against former LTO Talisay Extension chief Engr. Bernardo Borromeo Jr. before the Office of the Ombudsman – Visayas on 27 June 2018 and 14 November 2018 for alleged corrupt practices.

Upon investigation, the LTO Talisay Extension Office was found to have had an unusually high number of transactions, with registration of motor vehicles under Borromeo’s supervision exceeding more than 1,000 times the maximum ideal number prescribed in the LTO Citizen’s Charter.

Several complaints were also received under the 8888 Citizen’s Complaint Hotline, alleging Borromeo to have received fees amounting from P1,000 to P2,000 per transaction.

Borromeo was also found to have logged in for almost 22 to 23 hours on all days of the week, which was verified by the LTO IT Audit Trail Report by STRADCOM.

Collaboration with the NBI against fixers and erring employees

LTO Region 7 has sought the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in the endorsement of reports and hotline complaints regarding “fixing” activities.

Complaint letters that were forwarded to the NBI led to the arrest of four (4) individuals, including a former employee at the LTO Tagbilaran District Office who was found to have manufactured and distributed fake licenses. All individuals’ cases have been filed and are pending in court.