LTO admits failure to collect fines from erring drivers

CEBU, Philippines - A total of 200 violators have been apprehended in Cebu for driving under the influence of drugs and liquor since 2009.

The violators’ licenses have long been revoked for failure to comply with the required rehabilitation. None of them however paid the penalty of P10,000 fine for driving under the influence of drugs and P5,000 for driving under the influence of liquor.

Land Transportation Office-7 director Raul Aguilos said they have not collected a single centavo fine from those violators caught driving under the influence of drugs and liquor.

Aguilos issued the statement in response to the measure in Congress authored by Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Winston Costelo seeking to investigate the LTO for allegedly implementing an order that was declared unconstitutional by a Regional Trial Court in Baguio City.

Costelo questioned the LTO’s implementation of the Department Order 2998-39 which pegged the penalty for driving under the influence of drugs and liquor at P10,000 and P5,000, respectively. — (FREEMAN)