Abenina quits as LTO chief

Amid what he branded as undue criticism, Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief retired Gen. Edgardo Abenina has thrown in the towel and resigned from his post.

The 66-year-old Abenina submitted his resignation letter to President Arroyo Thursday night. The President accepted the resignation and said she may appoint former Philippine National Police chief Director General Roberto Lastimoso to the top LTO post.

"Most probably, I’ll appoint Bobby Lastimoso," she said.

Abenina’s spokesman Col. Gene Tosino said the LTO chief could no longer deal with "the undue criticism hurled by people opposing reforms he wanted to institute at the agency."

"Stones have been thrown at him despite what he has done for the LTO," Tosino said. "All he wanted was the betterment of the agency."

Abenina, one of the founders of the Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa (RAM), has been accused of "militarizing" the LTO by appointing retired military and police officials to key posts in the agency.

His detractors also alleged that he had set up a clearing house for insurance companies that provide third-party liability insurance, as well as favoring certain drug-testing companies in the implementation of the LTO’s new policy for license applications and renewal.

Tosino said the charges were all part of a smear campaign intended to oust Abenina from the agency.

"Many people here (LTO) are opposed to the reforms that General Abenina wanted to put in place. They have their own reasons," he said.

Tosino pointed out that under Abenina’s leadership, red tape and activities of fixers have been minimized.

He added that the LTO also chalked up some P4.5 billion in revenues from January to October 2001, an improvement from the P3 billion earned during the same period last year.

"His vision is for the LTO to be the most outstanding agency that provides efficient service to the people," Tosino said. "Even after he leaves, he will still be praying for the success of this agency."

Meanwhile, Lastimoso said he is willing to return to public service, now that he has been cleared of graft charges.

Charges that he had links with a suspected drug lord in Cebu led to Lastimoso’s early retirement. He later joined former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson in the Council of Philippine Affairs that helped install Mrs. Arroyo in office last January. — Sheila Crisostomo, Marichu Villanueva