LTO contractor to file raps vs businessmen

MANILA, Philippines - The computerization contractor of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Stradcom Corp., is preparing to file multiple counts of estafa and falsification of documents against a group of businessmen who allegedly staged a failed takeover of the company last week, an official said yesterday.

Stradcom said the group, led by Aderito Yujuico and Bonifacio Sumbilla, will be charged with falsification of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) documents.

Stradcom vice president Vivencio Dizon said Yujuico and Sumbilla reportedly presented these fake papers to LTO chief Virginia Torres during a courtesy call last Thursday.

“These people have grossly misrepresented themselves as either shareholders, members of the board and officers of Stradcom Corp… We have evidence to prove that they submitted fake documents and manufactured information to try and take control of the company, ” Dizon said in a statement.

Stradcom had earlier published an official statement in major newspapers wherein it denied claims by Yujuico, Sumbilla and several others that they have taken over the firm.

Torres said that while she received Yujuico and Sumbilla when the two paid her a courtesy call, she had not recognized them as the new management of Stradcom. She said the LTO has nothing to do with issues best settled within the firm.

Dizon said Yujuico and Sumbilla are facing similar estafa and falsification of documents charges in Pasig and Makati courts.