Lastimoso sworn in as new LTO chief

Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Roberto Lastimoso was sworn in as the new head of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) yesterday, vowing to continue the good programs of his predecessor.

Lastimoso took his oath of office before Secretary Pantaleon Alvarez in a simple ceremony at the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) main office.

He replaces retired Brig. Gen. Edgardo Abenina, who earlier in the day turned over the reins of the LTO in an hour-long ceremony at the main hall of the agency in Quezon City.

"Generally, I am going to continue the good work and programs initiated by my predecessor while correcting those that can be corrected," Lastimoso said. "This government needs credible programs for good governance."

The new LTO chief heaped praises on Abenina, whom he said was "loved by everyone."

"There would be no other officer to whom I would trust my life in times of crisis than General Abenina," Lastimoso said.

He declined to reveal what he had in store for the agency.

"It’s still premature to discuss my programs or any movement at the LTO. Maybe in a few days, I can talk about them," he said.

The fate of 14 PNP personnel detailed at the LTO upon the request of Abenina remains unclear under the new leadership.

"I don’t know what will happen to them, but I think it would be best if the PNP recalls the staff," Lastimoso said.

PNP personnel from the Traffic Management group includes Abenina spokesman Superintendent Hermogenes Tocino.

At least 300 LTO employees, some of them holding back tears, attended the turnover ceremonies. Also in attendance were DOTC Undersecretaries Arturo Valdes and Carina Varela.

Abenina, who held the top LTO post for 10 months and 26 days, said he was proud of his accomplishments, which include streamlining of procedures, eliminating fixers, fast and efficient issuance of driver’s licenses and the computerization of the agency.

In his farewell speech, Abenina said he managed to institute reforms at the graft-ridden agency "piece by piece."

He said his crowning glory in public service was the recognition given to him by President Arroyo in her State of the Nation Address, where she referred to the LTO as "a model agency in efficiency and effective service to the people."

The other day, the President formally appointed Lastimoso to take over the top LTO post. Abenina resigned from the post last year and remained at the LTO only because he was waiting for Mrs. Arroyo to name his replacement.

Abenina fell from the graces of Malacañang for allegedly tolerating his aide, police Superintendent Rafael Cardeno, in publicly criticizing the administration.

Cardeno, who also served as operations chief of LTO, was implicated in an alleged coup plot being hatched by the military rightist group Young Officers’ Union, composed of junior police and military officers.

Lastimoso has not been spared from controversy as some observers claim his designation violates the one-year ban of the Commission on Elections on the appointment to government posts of those who ran and lost in the last elections.

He clarified, however, that he was not covered by the ban since he only ran for congressman under the party-list system in the May 2001 polls.

"I never filed a certificate of candidacy. I was neither included in any election posters nor did I campaign," he said.