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A LEADER of a militant group yesterday called for the Visayas Ombudsman to implement the preventive suspension against 10 officials of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), whom the group sued two months ago for alleged conspiracy with smugglers in the illegal registration of imported vehicles.
Arman Perez, secretary-general of Bayan Muna (Bayan), said that the revelation of Presidential Anti Smuggling Group (PASG) chief Antonio Villar during the House inquiry on Wednesday that identified six Cebu-based vehicle smugglers only proved that smuggling in Cebu is rampant.
“The Ombudsman should act now, they should place these LTO officials under preventive suspension,” Perez told Cebu Daily News.
He said suspending the officials would give a warning to others who directly or indirectly participated and colluded in the registration of smuggled cars.
Perez said that the P65 billion lost annually by the government due to smuggling as told by Villar to House committee on good government headed by Rep. Pedro Romualdo (Camiguin) could be used for basic services if smuggling would be stopped.
“It's time to put a stop of their activity,” said Perez.
Assistant Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Virginia Santiago formed a panel of investigators for a fact finding investigation of the complaint for anti-graft practices, gross neglect,dishonesty and serious misconduct against the 10 LTO-7 officials.
The officials include former Alex Leyson, former regional LTO-7 regional director, Edgar Cabase, former LTO-7 asst. regional director legal; Vicente Gador, Jr., legal counsel; Alita Pulga, LTO registrar of Cebu City District Office; Honorio Quiambao, chief, LTO Diliman Manila district office; Bernardo Borromeo, LTO registrar of Talisay City Extension Office; Aurea Angcay, LTO registrar, Lapu-Lapu City Extension Office; and Macario Geraruelas, former registrar of Tagbilaran district office. /Reporter Nilda Gallo
