Before the Ombudsman: LTO-7 exec faces complaint for illegal tapping, extortion

CEBU, Philippines — A senior official of the Land Transportation Office in Central Visayas (LTO-7) is facing a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas for allegedly facilitating the illegal tapping of water and electricity lines to a private company, in addition to alleged extortion activities.

In a letter-complaint dated August 27, 2025, an employee of the LTO-7 Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (MVIC) in Mandaue City, only identified as Carmen Celestial (real name withheld to avoid reprisal), accused Assistant Regional Director Arturo Apolinar of grave misconduct, dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

Celestial alleged that Apolinar allowed an insurance company to illegally connect water and power lines from the MVIC compound to a privately constructed building---to be used as an insurance office---adjacent to the LTO facility.

“This allowed the insurance office to benefit from free water and electricity to the detriment of the government,” the complaint stated.

Celestial further alleged that Apolinar extorted ?500,000 from Private Emission Testing Centers (PETCs) in exchange for facilitating application approvals, and then solicited money during supposed inspection visits.

The alleged illegal connections, or tappings, were first discovered in March 2024 and documented in a police blotter dated April 2, 2024. The blotter, filed by MVIC chief Marivic Causin confirmed that security guards had reported unauthorized tapping of utilities from the compound to an adjacent property.

Following the discovery, LTO Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II issued a Notice to Explain on August 8, 2025, directing Apolinar to respond to the findings of an internal probe.

Investigators traced the unauthorized electrical connection to Apolinar’s office, while a trusted aide identified only as “Makoy” was tagged as the one who carried out the installation.

In an interview with The Freeman yesterday, Apolinar denied the allegations, branding them as retaliation allegedly instigated by LTO-7 Regional Director Glenn Galario, who is himself facing separate complaints before the Ombudsman.

“This is just retaliation. He is insecure about me,” Apolinar said, claiming that he has the backing of Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro and Bohol Governor Ares Aumentado to replace Galario as regional director.

Apolinar confirmed that he has submitted his written explanation to Mendoza but declined to reveal its contents.

Galario, in an earlier interview, also denied allegations of corruption lodged against him at the Ombudsman, calling them part of a “demolition job” to unseat him from office.

He said at least two complaints have been filed against him before the Ombudsman, both of which he described as “unfounded and unsubstantiated.”

“Even if it’s not true, once it reaches social media, the narrative becomes different because this is LTO. This is part of a demolition job, and I will face it squarely before the Ombudsman,” Galario added. — (FREEMAN)