LTO cracks down on personnel in license fixing
Metro Manila, Philippines - Employees found helping fixers for driver’s license and vehicle registration will be fired and face charges in a crackdown on illegal activities at the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the transportation chief said on Thursday, May 22.
In a press briefing, LTO head Vigor Mendoza said he will compel some district officers to explain their involvement in the anomalous activity.
“This serves as a warning to all our LTO employees, ihinto na nila yung ginagawa nilang mali kasi mahahanap at mahahanap at matutukoy at matutukoy natin sila,” the transportation assistant secretary said.
[Translate: This serves as a warning to all our LTO employees, they should stop wrongful acts they will eventually be found out.]
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon warned that LTO personnel involved in fixing documents will be sacked and face charges.
On Thursday, the LTO, together with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Department of Transportation, said the illegal scheme has gone online.
Authorities presented a suspect accused of selling fake driver’s license and identification cards for persons with disabilities.
PBGen Bernard Yang, the national police anti-cybercrime group chief, said the suspect sold license and ID for P500. Authorities are finding out if there was connivance with LTO personnel.
Dizon said more online fixers would be arrested in the coming weeks.
“Iyan po…ang isa sa mga rason kung bakit ang dami nating aksidente ngayon at kung hindi natin seseryosohin at hindi natin papakita sa mga loko lokong taong ito na seryoso tayo, tutuloy tuloy pa rin nila iyan,” he said, adding that those who will be found guilty may serve time for up to 12 years.
[Translation: That... is one of the reasons why we have so many accidents nowadays. And if we don’t take this seriously and show these reckless people that we mean business, they’ll just keep on doing it.]
Driving schools
Meanwhile, the government has suspended 107 driving schools in the last two weeks for non-compliance with basic protocols.
Mendoza said the schools are from Central Luzon, Calabrarzon, and Metro Manila.
“Ang bulk siguro is mga no-show, or non-compliance with theoretical drivers training na binibigay nila sa mga aplikante. Nag-issue kami show cause diyan to explain their side pero in the meantime suspended muna sila,” he said.
[Translation: The main issue is likely no-show or non-compliance with the theoretical driving training for applicants. We issued them a show cause order to explain their side, but they are suspended for the meantime.]
Dizon also warned schools with the same practice.
“Hindi na pwede. Mahuli sila, sarado na sila. Wala ng paliwanag...Para sa mga kababayan natin na gusto mag-negosyo nang tama, gusto magtayo ng driving school, mag-negosyo kayo nang tama,” he said.
[Translation: That’s no longer allowed. If they get caught, they’re shut down. No more explanations... To our fellow citizens who want to do business the right way, if you want to open a driving school, do it properly.]
