DOTC names possible replacement for LTO chief

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) has submitted to Malacañang the name of Land Transportation Office (LTO) officer-in-charge Aljun Tan as a possible replacement for Virginia Torres, who retired last month.

“We have recommended him (to President Aquino) and hopefully it will be approved,” DOTC Secretary Joseph Abaya said in a press conference.

Torres volunteered to resign effective at the end of October amid an ongoing investigation of a video allegedly showing her playing in a casino.

The 60-year-old Torres was appointed as LTO chief in July 2010 and has been serving the government for 33 years.

Torres figured in a controversy after a video posted on YouTube showed her in front of a slot machine in what appeared to be a casino, in violation of a circular that prohibits heads of agencies and departments from staying or playing in casinos.

This prompted the DOTC to conduct an investigation into the matter.

However, the DOTC chief said he would check with the agency’s legal department on how to deal with the situation after Torres announced that she would step down.

“Initial report from the legal department regarding civil service laws show that penalty ranges from reprimand to termination from office. So possible investigation may become moot,” he earlier said in a text message.