Acting chief’s application for LTO-7 RD post opposed

The application of Land Transportation Office-7 acting chief, Alita Pulga, for regional director of the agency, has been opposed before the Office of the President.

Doctor Danilo Dionson, owner of a medical clinic accredited to process medical certificates for license applicants at the LTO, sent a letter to the Office of the President opposing Pulga's application for LTO-7 director.

Among the grounds Dionson pointed out in his letter was the briefing memo dated January 21, 2015 from Alden Belza, acting administrative officer of LTO-7, to investigate Cynthia Duterte, officer-in-charge of the licensing center of LTO-Mandaue City.

Jovert Nemenzo, the chairman of National Confederation of Tricycle and Operators Association in the Philippines (NACTODAP)-Mandaue Chapter, filed a complaint against Duterte.

Dionson said Nemenzo told him that for the past 18 months, he never received a copy of the investigation report of Pulga.

Lawyer Maria KristineYulo, the acting director of the President's Personnel Group Secretariat in Malacañang, referred the letter of Dionson to the Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.

"May we respectfully refer, for whatever action you may deem appropriate, the attached 17 August 2016 letter for the President of Dr. Danilo C. Dionson expressing strong opposition to the possible appointment of Ms. Alita C. Pulga as Regional Director of the Land Transportation Office, Region VII," read Yulo's letter dated September 13, 2016 addressed to Tugade.

Yulo further asked Tugade to directly inform Dionson of any action taken on the matter.

Following the vacancy of the position when Arnel Tancinco formally vacated his post, Pulga, the next in command, assumed as acting director last August 2, pending formal designation from President Rodrigo Duterte. Pulga also formally applied for the position. For her part, Pulga told The FREEMAN that the root of Dionson's anger at her is the impending transfer of LTO-Mandaue City to the LTOMotor Vehicle Inspection Service in Barangay Subangdaku.

"Wa man na problema iya ko babagan ba, atoa is serbisyo ra man ni. Kung mo-apply ta, we expect two things to happen. Approval or disapproval by the president," Pulga said.

Gregg M. Rubio/ATO

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