Calabarzon LTO chief denies dismissal from post

LAGUNA, Philippines — The chief of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) has denied reports that he was dismissed from his post by President Marcos.

Cupido Gerry Asuncion yesterday told The STAR over the phone that he filed a leave of absence to give way to an ongoing investigation into the complaints of extortion filed against him by a group of bus drivers and operators.

“I temporarily left vacant my position due to the smear campaign against me. Politics was behind this accusation,” Asuncion said.

He said he was temporarily assigned in the LTO head office as assistant secretary until the result of the investigation is released.

“I know Secretary Jaime Bautista will designate Zoj Daphne Usita-Agustia as officer-in-charge of the LTO-Calabarzon so the office operation will not be affected,” Asuncion said.

He said a group of people orchestrated and financed the smear campaign against him.

“They used the bus drivers and operators, who filed a false complaint before the Presidential Action Center, to discredit my reputation as chief of the LTO-Calabarzon,” he said.