Lifestyle check sought LTO made ‘milking cow’ by execs?

CEBU, Philippines - A concerned resident of Mandaue City wants the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct a lifestyle check on all ranking officials of the Land Transportation Office-7 and those assigned in their Mandaue extension office.

Danilo Dionson, an accredited physician of the Land Transportation Office, told The FREEMAN the lifestyle check is important following reports that some LTO employees allegedly used their positions in making money.

Dionson cited the LTO licensing office in Mandaue City where fixers reportedly connive with some officials, accusing them of using the office as a "milking cow for their own benefit."

He further said several complaints against their personnel have been brought up to the Department of Transportation and Communication here but to no avail.

"Panahon na gayud nga ang Office of the Ombudsman - Visayas mohimo na gayud ug lifestyle check niadtong mga empleyado sa LTO sa Mandaue ug ingon man sa regional office," said Dionson.

Dionson said he is willing to provide documents and evidence to the Ombudsman against erring LTO officials and employees.

He stressed that transferring the LTO to another place is not the solution. "The people inside the office is the problem," he said.

He said Mandaue LTO until now does not have a telephone connection, something he said was "questionable."

The FREEMAN learned that some fixers operating in Mandaue LTO are earning P300 to P500 per day based on the number of  drivers who hire their services.

The fixers allegedly facilitate the release of their driver's licenses acquired in the connivance of some LTO personnel.

Meanwhile, Dionson challenged LTO Regional Director Arnel Tancinco to resign his post saying that he is not fit for the said position.

Dionson said LTO Central Office in its vacancy announcement dated January 12-13, 2014 stated that the agency needs director for its regional office. The qualifications included a bachelor's degree, three years of supervisory experience and career service executive eligibility.

Dionson said the Civil Service Commission-7 issued a certification stating that based on their records, Tancinco is not in the list of validated eligible career service executives.

A certification copy made available to this paper was signed by one Editha Luzano, Director III of  the CSC-7.

The Professional Regulation Commission-7 also issued a certification stating that Tancinco, who was born on October 20, 1972, was not found in the roster of professionals in Cebu regional office.

However, the certification signed by Dan Malayang-PRC Cebu said that data migration at that time was not yet complete in the regions.

Tancinco has yet to issue his comments on these allegations.   (FREEMAN)