IN AN EFFORT to rid the agency of misfits, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) sanctioned at least 56 erring personnel — including a presidential appointee, says Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao.
Lacanilao however did not divulge the identity nor elaborate on the extent of ‘sanction’ accorded to the presidential appointee.
In a statement, the purge which took effect in October last year, resulted in the filing of administrative cases ranging from grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, extortion, falsification of official documents, and other charges that affect the integrity of public service.
The LTO chief also vowed to sustain the campaign against corruption and neglect within the agency under his 7-Point Priority Agenda focusing on integrity, honesty, and public service.
“Malinaw ang direktiba natin – walang puwang sa LTO ang katiwalian, kapabayaan, at pang-aabuso sa kapangyarihan. Sinuman ang napatunayan lumalabag sa batas at sa tiwala ng taumbayan ay mananagot anuman ang kanilang posisyon,” Lacanilao stressed.
“Hindi lamang panlabas na operasyon laban sa mga pasaway na motorista, at fixers ang tututukan ng LTO kundi maging ang paglilinis sa hanay ng sariling mga tauhan upang maibalik ang tiwala ng publiko sa ahensya. Hindi magiging matagumpay ang anumang reporma kung may mga kawani na sumisira sa integridad ng ahensya at sa tiwala ng publiko,” he added.
Of the 56 employees, one was a presidential appointee while 34 were permanent employees from the LTO central office and regional offices in Metro Manila, Region II, Region IV-B, Region VI, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and CARAGA.
Some of the employees were placed under preventive suspension and formally charged, while others were endorsed to disciplinary bodies like the Central Office Disciplinary Board (CODB), Regional Administrative Action Board (RAAB), and Department of Transportation (DOTr) for appropriate action.
The LTO added that 16 job order personnel were dismissed from the service. Two local government unit (LGU) auxiliary enforcers and one security guard lost their deputation authority.
Two LTO officials from the National Capital Region and Region XII were issued a stern warning due to administrative lapses.
The LTO assured that its investigation against erring employees is ongoing and urged the public to immediately report any form of corruption, extortion, fixer transactions, and irregularities for their prompt action.
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