SC upholds dismissal of Lapu LTO official

The Supreme Court has affirmed the dismissal from service of Cleto Abugan, former registrar of the Land Transportation Office in Lapu-Lapu City, for allowing the registration of a stolen vehicle nine years ago.

The Supreme Court decision, penned by Justice Renato Corona, ruled that the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas was correct when it ordered the dismissal of Abugan.

The High Court reiterated its ruling that the anti-graft body has the power to dismiss government employees who are found guilty of committing serious offenses.

It also affirmed the Ombudsman’s order that aside from dismissal from service, all Abugan’s benefits will be forfeited in favor of the government with perpetual disqualification to hold public office.

The case started when the L-300 van owned by Jerry Tan with plate numbers THE-541 was stolen while it was parked at the back of Cebu Doctors’ Hospital on October 18, 1998.

The vehicle’s insurer paid Tan the amount of the vehicle after Senior Inspector Venancio Labiano Jr. of the PNP Traffic Management District based at Camp Sotero Cabahug in Gorordo Avenue issued a certification that they could no longer recover the van.

But it was later found out that on October 20, or two days after the vehicle was stolen, the LTO-Lapu-Lapu City headed by Abugan issued a new certificate of registration for Tan’s vehicle with different motor numbers and license plate.

On June 13, 1999, the LTO-Lapu-Lapu City again issued another certificate of registration of the vehicle – this time in the name of Cristina Labiano – the daughter of police officer Labiano. It appeared that Tan sold the vehicle to Labiano’s daughter. — Rene U. Borromeo/LPM