By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has reshuffled key officials in its National Capital Region (NCR) offices following the arrest of three alleged fixers accused of facilitating illegal transactions for student driver’s permits and licenses.
The leadership overhaul took effect Tuesday as the agency intensified its campaign against corruption and unauthorized intermediaries operating within its offices.
LTO Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao said the reassignment came in the wake of an entrapment operation conducted on June 29 by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), which resulted in the arrest of three suspected fixers.
The suspects were allegedly processing and expediting student driver’s permits and other licensing transactions at the LTO West Manila District Office and the agency’s Central Office along East Avenue in Quezon City in exchange for illegal fees.
Lacanilao said the heads of the two offices involved are now under investigation to determine whether they were negligent in supervising their personnel or had direct participation in the alleged illegal activities.
“The reshuffle forms part of the agency’s continuing institutional reforms to eliminate corruption and ensure accountability within the LTO,” he said.
The LTO reiterated its warning against transacting with fixers, stressing that all licensing and registration services should be processed directly through authorized LTO personnel.
The agency also encouraged the public to report suspected illegal activities through its “Ireport mo kay LTO Chief” Facebook page or via its official online reporting platform to help strengthen its campaign against graft and improve public service delivery.
The latest personnel revamp underscores the LTO’s intensified drive to restore public trust by rooting out corruption and enforcing stricter accountability across its regional and district offices.
ia/xf
