BY GENALYN KABILING
A Land Transportation Office (LTO) regional officer has been accused of extorting money from motorcycle dealers in Cebu province to facilitate vehicle registrations, presidential spokesman Harry Roque bared Tuesday.
Roque said he was referring to Victor Caindec, regional director of LTO in Central Visayas, as the official linked to alleged corruption, saying he obtained affidavits proving the allegations against the public official.
“Okay, since Caindec brought out his own name, yes, I was referring to Caindec. I have affidavits to prove po na kinikikilan niya iyong mga motorcycle distributors, and this is a matter of public document already,” Roque said during a televised press briefing.
“Nang hindi po pumayag na mas mataas iyong kikil na ibibigay sa kanya, saka po siya nagkaroon ng kung anu-anong hadlang,” he added.
On Monday, Roque cautioned the LTO official to shape up, saying President Duterte will not tolerate any whiff of corruption. He made the comment when asked about the alleged anomalies in the release of motorcycle registration plates.
Caindec later appeared in an online press conference to deny the corruption allegations hurled by Roque. He claimed that his dismissal has been sought after he uncovered alleged anomalies on vehicle registration process, including suspected tax evasion by some dealers.
Roque said motorcycle dealers were allowed to register their vehicles outside of Cebu after he elevated the concerns with LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante.
“From the very beginning I stand for good government together with the President, so iyon po ang motivation. So I’m supported po by public documents and the corresponding charges will be charged,” he added.
Roque said he intends to bring the matter to the “top leadership.”
“Zero corruption ang Presidente,” he said.
“Ang mga corrupt, magtago na kayo, sisipain kayo ng Presidente sa gobyerno,” he said.
