Mendoza appointed concurrent LTO head

President Arroyo has appointed Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza as concurrent Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief on a temporary basis after an official appointed to the post declined for "personal reasons."

Mendoza will run the agency until Malacañang finds a permanent replacement for former LTO chief Roberto Lastimoso, who was sacked last month by the President, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) announced in a statement yesterday.

In a letter to Mrs. Arroyo dated July 17, Transportation and Communications Undersecretary Agustin Bengzon "respectfully declined his appointment as LTO officer-in-charge for personal reasons," the statement said without elaborating.

He thanked the President for the "confidence and belief in his integrity and professional competence as a public servant."

Lastimoso was ordered by Malacañang to go on "official leave" days after a June 9 surprise inspection by Mrs. Arroyo at the LTO’s main office in Quezon City found that employees there were going home an hour early.

The LTO offices also teemed with "fixers," further earning the President’s ire.

Mendoza approved Lastimoso’s leave yesterday, the statement said.

Known for her legendary temper flare-ups, Mrs. Arroyo gave a speechless Lastimoso — who arrived an hour after learning about the unexpected visit —a scolding in front of media cameras.

Lastimoso, a former national police chief, will keep his post of assistant secretary for land transport at the DOTC.

Department sources told The STAR that Lastimoso would likely not have a portfolio because all other portfolios are occupied by four other assistant secretaries.

In the statement, Mendoza commended Lastimoso for his "efforts in introducing reforms in improving the licensing procedures and fast-tracking of the computerization program, among others, at the LTO."

LTO revenue collection went up from P5.3 billion in 2001 to P6.6 billion last year, he said.

The LTO is in charge of motor vehicle registration and issuing drivers’ licenses.