Lomibao to NSC, Berroya keeps LTO

Assistant Secretary Reynaldo Berroya will stay at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for now.

A Malacañang official, who asked not to be named, said yesterday that Berroya will retain his post at the LTO while former National Irrigation Authority administrator Arturo Lomibao, who was earlier appointed to replace him, would be given a position at the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency.

The Palace official said Lomibao, former director general of the Philippine National Police (PNP), would be given a post under National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales.

President Arroyo appointed Lomibao to the LTO last September but transport groups strongly pushed for Berroya’s retention.

Berroya vowed to intensify the crackdown on traffic violators, abusive drivers of public utility vehicles and carjacking gangs as well as step up reforms in the LTO.

Berroya was also a retired PNP director and was jailed during the time of former President Joseph Estrada for kidnapping.   – Paolo Romero