Complaints filed vs LTFRB-7 director

CEBU, Philippines - Two private citizens have asked the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas to investigate the director of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7.

A certain Fidel Y. Go has requested for a lifestyle check and investigation into the alleged unexplained wealth of Ahmed Cuizon.

Go said Cuizon used to ride a multi-cab going to the office during his previous stint as LTFRB-7 director. However, just recently, Go said Cuizon was already driving around a brand new Toyota Innova car.

Cuizon also allegedly resides in a “mansion” worth millions of pesos.

Further, Go said the Cuizon couple has made three overseas trips last year: in Macau, in mainland China and in Europe.

Meanwhile, a certain Luke Duterte of Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City, is also requesting for an investigation into the allegation of ghost employees at the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority.

Duterte alleged that Cuizon hired Isidro Tumulak, brother of Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak, as casual employee when he was assistant general manager of MCIAA starting September 2015.

Duterte alleged that from October 2015 until May 2016, Isidro was given special treatment by Cuizon by exempting him from the use of a finger scan machine for his daily attendance at work.

He also alleged that MCIAA HRMD Manager Maria Lilibeth Antepuesto, who approved the disbursement voucher including the payment of wages of Tumulak, was recommended by Cuizon to her current position.

Antepuesto is the wife of lawyer Edwin Antepuesto, a hearing officer at LTFRB-7 who likewise, Duterte alleged, got appointed to the said position when Cuizon was the head of the agency in 2014.

For his part, Cuizon said he is unfazed by the complaints filed against him before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

“These complaints are nothing but pure and simple harassment,” Cuizon said, adding he has not yet received a copy of the complaints.

Cuizon suspects the complaints were filed in order for him to be barred from becoming the next general manager of the MCIA.

“To set the record straight, I did not apply for that position and I am not interested in that position,” Cuizon said, dispelling rumors that he will be back at the airport to hold the top post.

Further, Cuizon said he is open for a lifestyle check. — Gregg M. Rubio and Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon (FREEMAN)