Retired teacher cries foul over sale of his taxi units without his permission

CEBU, Philippines – A retired teacher is asking the help of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to retrieve his taxi units that his daughter's live-in partner allegedly sold without his knowledge and permission.

Restituto Bacalso, 83, a former teacher at Cebu Normal University, told LTFRB 7 chief Benjamin Go that he had entrusted his two taxi units to Gercis Suraliza, the live-in partner of his daughter, Leillani Abingosa.

Bacalso said he was surprised to learn last October 12, 2009 that the franchises of the KIA Avela with plate Nos. GXB-175 and Toyota Corolla with license plate GWA-973 have already been revoked and the two vehicles were no longer around.

The Deed of Sale entered into by Suraliza and Abingosa reportedly stated that the vehicles and their franchises were sold at P200,000.

Go said records would show that LTFRB 7 hearing officer Douglas Sanson endorsed the approval of the sale of the taxi units together with the franchises in 2009 because Suraliza presented to him a special power of attorney signed by Bacalso. In other words, Suraliza had claimed Bacalso allowed him to sell the units and the franchises.

Bacalso sought the help of the PNP Crime Laboratory at Camp Sotero Cabahug and handwriting expert Romeo Varona confirmed that the signature affixed on the special power of attorney was forged.

Go immediately asked Bacalso and Abingosa to submit their respective memoranda or written arguments within 10 days from last Monday for evaluation. He assured Bacalso that LTFRB will do its best to restore the certificate of public convenience or franchises of the taxi units under his name. Bacalso also asked the Visayas Ombudsman to help monitor his complaint with LTFRB.

Go admitted he is saddened by the many anomalous activities at LTFRB, albeit the unscrupulous activities had occurred during the time of his predecessors.

It was Go himself who exposed the illegal issuance of about 2,000 illegal taxi franchises in Metro Cebu. He is personally investigating the anomaly. (FREEMAN)