LTO official threatens to file libel case vs. bus driver

CEBU, Philippines - An official of the Land Transportation Office regional office yesterday threatened to file a complaint for libel against the bus driver who accused him and three other LTO officials of dishonesty and malversation of public funds before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas.

LTO-7 acting operations chief Eden Belza the accusations made by Melvin Baclaan, who was earlier found liable for reckless driving, were all not true. He also took offence of the allegation that he was not qualified for the position as he is merely a clerk 1 and was designated to the position because of his alleged “generosity to share the corruption money to the LTO-7 top officials.”

Belza said he is qualified for the position having a masters’ degree in public administration, explaining Baclaan was trying to insinuate to the minds of the public that he is not fit to the position he currently hold. According to him, he was appointed as acting operations chief since April 23.

He added he already had Baclaan’s allegation that he was asked to pay P560 as fine and additional P300 after having found liable for reckless driving but was not issued an official receipt. Belza said he will ask adjudication staff Lester Paz to explain the allegation.

Baclaan filed a complaint for dishonesty, malversation of public funds before the anti-graft office against Belza, Paz, regional director Raul Aguilos and assistant regional director Edgar Catarungan.

The case stemmed from the non-renewal of Baclaan’s driver’s license because of alleged unsettled fines for traffic violations.

Baclaan said that sometime in the first week of December 2008, Paz, a utility worker designated as adjudication staff, conducted an investigation in connection with his traffic violations inside the South Bus Terminal.

Baclaan said he kept on coming to the LTO office for two months before his license was finally released but not until he was told to pay additional P300 also without an official receipt on top of the P560.

However, he discovered that the payment he made was not remitted to the government coffers because his license was not renewed. — Fred P. Languido/WAB (THE FREEMAN)