LTO Chief sacks 56 personnel over various offenses
For decades, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has been haunted by the reputation of fixers operating inside the system. These middlemen thrive through alleged lagayan (under-the-table) deals that fast-track licenses, registrations, and other transactions, a practice many believe is the reason why unqualified drivers are operating a motorcycle or motor vehicle.
But the agency now appears to be taking a harder stance against corruption from within.
This past six months alone, after Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao stepped in, 56 LTO personnel have been dismissed over various offenses that, according to the agency, “affect the integrity of its service to the public.”
The crackdown forms part of what the LTO described as an “extensive internal cleansing drive,” which has resulted in administrative charges, preventive suspensions, and dismissals involving employees and officials linked to irregularities in office.
The agency’s Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) said those involved are facing cases ranging from grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and gross neglect of duty to extortion or kotong, falsification of official documents, and other administrative violations.
Among those implicated are 34 permanent employees and one presidential appointee assigned to the Central Office in Quezon City, NCR, Regions II, IV-B, VII, CAR, and CARAGA.
Several personnel have already been placed under preventive suspension, while others were referred to the Central Office Disciplinary Board (CODB), Regional Administrative Action Board (RAAB), and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for further action.
The cleanup also led to the dismissal of 16 job order personnel, while deputation authorities of several individuals were revoked, including two LGU auxiliary enforcers and one security guard.
Meanwhile, two officials from NCR and Region XII were issued stern warnings over administrative lapses.
Lacanilao reiterated that the LTO will not tolerate corruption, negligence, or abuse of authority, warning that anyone who betrays public trust will be held accountable regardless of rank. He added that the agency’s crackdown does not only target fixers and erring motorists, but also employees within the LTO, saying meaningful reform cannot happen without cleaning up its own ranks.
The LTO said investigations remain ongoing and encouraged the public to report corruption, extortion, fixer activities, and other irregularities through the I-report mo kay LTO Chief website for immediate action.
