LTFRB, LTO execs relieved en masse over corruption

MANILA, Philippines - Transport franchises were sold twice or transferred. Expired ones were revived or “raised from the dead.” Routes were modified and franchises placed under other transport classifications and extended.

These were among the ways by which officials of the  Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) allegedly circumvented a 2003 moratorium on the issuance of new transport franchises in Metro Manila.

Four of the LTFRB officials led by the former regional director for the National Capital Region (NCR) have been relieved pending a probe.

Yesterday President Duterte announced that at least 92 government personnel have been removed from their posts for corruption.

Most of the those sacked were from the LTFRB and Land Transportation Office (LTO), Duterte disclosed.

LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra said they are probing former NCR director Rodolfo Jaucian for “glaring irregularities” found in various transactions during an inspection.

Also included in the probe are resigned hearing officer Melchor Fronda, transportation development officer Jean Gunda and administrative officer Mary Jane Manajero.

Jaucian has since been relieved of his post and transferred to the CESO (career executive service officers) pool on floating status, while Gunda and Manajero were transferred to regional offices in Mindanao.

They could face charges for violation of the anti-graft and corrupt practices act, ethical standards of government officials, aside from estafa and falsification of public documents, Delgra said.

Duterte, in a speech during the awarding ceremony of The Outstanding Young Men and Women (TOYM) 2016 at Rizal Hall in Malacañang yesterday, urged the public to do their share in promoting a clean government by reporting anomalous transactions through hotline 8888. 

He stressed he would not condone any form of corruption under his watch.

“Ninety-two of them were fired. I gave them the option of facing charges or more. I said you resign for you have become the pariah of this government and do not expect me to be courteous, not even a ‘see you when I see you’,” the Chief Executive said.

Delgra said anomalous transactions at the LTFRB NCR office were dug up after one complainant reported paying P250,000 to a fixer.

When verified in an official visit, the LTRFB board found at the pantry numerous case folders and two laptops that supposedly showed the two databases being utilized for questionable transactions.

The deals mostly pertain to the issuance of new franchises by the regional office since the 2003 moratorium.

Board member Aileen Lizada said the franchises issued by the NCR office “had a sense of legitimacy at first glance but the case details would bare irregularities upon further investigation.”

Regional officials were reportedly able to do this by double sale and transfer of valid franchises, “raising from the dead” expired franchises, modification of routes and the extension of franchises under another transportation classification.

“This is why the number of PUVs is increasing and adding to the traffic congestion here. It is because NCR has mastered the art of corruption in extending and reviving franchises,” Lizada said.

She added that three previous boards – referring to the time of former chairmen Thompson Lantion, Alberto Suansing and Jaime Jacob – tried to tap into the database but were refused by the regional officers, citing jurisdiction over the matter.

The exact number of compromised franchises is yet to be established.

Delgra said they are still discussing what steps to take on the compromised franchises, although he hinted that this might include a revocation of the certificate of public convenience.

“It is not easy for us to decide because many will be affected… it would impact on the concerned operators. We have to be very careful about how we’re going to decide on this matter,” Delgra added.

To avoid further corrupt practices, his office is considering the lifting of moratorium on new franchises before the year ends.

Last month, Duterte asked officials of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to resign following the suicide of the chairman of its bids and awards committee, who was allegedly pressured to approve anomalous deals.

Duterte called corruption a “virulent thing” and vowed to step up measures to curb it.

He urged the public to help the government address the problem of corruption by reporting irregularities.

“Our nation is in a crucial period of introducing concrete and meaningful change. I need your support now more than ever so that we can collectively overcome the ills of illegal drugs, criminality and corruption that has plagued our nation for so long,” the President told members of the Junior Chamber International Philippines.

“You do not really tell me your name. Just let me know,” he added, referring to the option of those who would call 8888 to remain anonymous.