'LTO head liable for alleged fixing'

CEBU, Philippines - Two members of the Provincial Board cited that because Republic Act 9485, or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, provides that the head of an office or agency shall be primarily responsible for the implementation of the said law, he or she shall also be made accountable to the public for all the transactions and processes carried out in his/her office.

In a resolution, PB members Juan Bolo and Julian Daan pointed at Section 7 of the said law in reaction to reports on alleged continued operation of fixers in various sections of the Land Transportation Office which they find alarming.

Section 7 mentioned of the head of a government office or agency being answerable for all transactions therein as he/she is tasked to implement the law.

The two connected the item to Section 11, Paragraph B of the Anti-Red Tape Law which provides that “fixing and or collusion with fixers in consideration of economic, and or other gain or advantage, is considered as grave offense.”

They pointed at the head as being accountable to the public for all the transactions and processes, as having these made with the permission or clearance from the highest authority having jurisdiction over government offices and agencies.

“There are still reports that fixers [at LTO] are sighted transacting businesses on behalf of others for and in consideration of economic benefit or advantage,” their resolution read.

Some other members of the PB added that there are reports on employees in the said government agency who accommodate transactions in consideration of pecunia y interests and that such should be investigated. — Jose P. Sollano/MEEV (FREEMAN NEWS)