Three employees of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Northern Mindanao office were axed for alleged “fixing” activities after demanding up to P60,000 to fast-track franchise-related applications.
Terminated from their posts were Rustom Tolentino, a driver of the LTFRB Northern Mindanao office; Dahlee Joy Saud, a frontline assistant; and Jamil Dimakuta, an inspector in the agency.
The LTFRB conducted an investigation after receiving a complaint against Tolentino and Saud for allegedly demanding P50,000 to P60,000 as “additional payments” for faster processing of franchises.
The probe showed that Tolentino would receive the applicants or petitioners and direct them to Saud who would require additional processing payment aside from the standard processing fees.
Meanwhile, the investigation on Dimakuta stemmed from a complaint lodged by a taxi operator accusing the inspector of demanding P50,000 for the processing of the complainant’s taxi franchise application.
When confronted, Dimakuta admitted the accusations, the LTFRB said.
According to LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III, the termination of the three erring employees is proof that the agency is bent on cleansing its ranks of corruption.
“We’ve said this before and we will say it again— walang bayad ang prangkisa. The LTFRB remains committed to the Duterte administration’s drive against corruption,” Delgra pointed out.
“We are now on the path of regaining public trust and we shall not allow an erring few to derail us from the pursuit of good governance in all our offices nationwide,” he added.
For his part, Transportation secretary Arthur Tugade lauded the swift action of the LTFRB, adding that the Department will not tolerate corruption in its offices and attached agencies.
“Public office is a public trust. We shall not squander this opportunity to improve lives of Filipinos by serving selfish and greedy interests,” Tugade emphasized.
The DOTr chief sternly warned all its employees not to involve in all forms of corruption or else they will be terminated and charged.
He also urged the public to cooperate in reporting fixers and erring employees and not to tolerate them. (Alexandria San Juan)
