MANILA, Philippines — Former Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Vigor Mendoza II is facing graft charges for allegedly collecting P169 in computer fees from operators of public utility vehicles (PUV).
As part of Stradcom Corp.’s information technology system, PUV operators have been required to pay fees when registering and renewing vehicles.
Charges have been filed before the ombudsman against Mendoza and Stradcom by the Federated Land Transportation Organizations of the Philippines.
The transport group accused Mendoza of showing undue favor to Stradcom, resulting in the collection of fees from Jan. 28, 2025 to Feb. 28, covering about one million PUV operators.
The transport group urged the ombudsman to suspend Mendoza for 90 days from his current position as chief of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
Computer fees paid by operators should be refunded, the group said.
Mendoza, for his part, said the complaint is not about accountability, but “plain and simple desperation to get even.” – Josiah Antonio