Tugade fires employees of entire LTO branches in Nueva Vizcaya over corruption: “Hindi ako mag-aalaga ng mga anay sa hanay ko."

photo file of Tugade (ctto)

Manila, Philippines – In an order issued last Friday, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has ordered the relief of all the officers and employees of a Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Nueva Vizcaya due to alleged corruption.

Tugade sacked all personnel at the LTO Bayombong District Office and Aritao Extension Office, after the reported numerous extortion incidents.

The Transportation chief said that rice traders and truckers complained to President Rodrigo Duterte during his meeting with the stakeholders of rice industry, Thursday night in Malacanang.

“Hindi ako mag-aalaga ng mga anay sa hanay ko. Dati ko pang sinasabi sa inyo, ayaw na ayaw ng Pangulong Duterte ng korapsyon. Sa aksyon o persepsyon, ayaw namin ng korapsyon. Hindi ako nagbibiro, hindi ako magdadalawang isip na yariin kayo,” Tugade said in a statement.

On the other hand, Sales has directed the cancellation of deputation orders and Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP) issued to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel manning the weigh bridge un Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya.

The order was reportedly issued by LTO Regional Office Director Romeo Sales, as commanded by LTO Chief Edgar Galvante.

According to the complaints, several employees of LTO in the said province earn as much as P1 million a day from more than thousand trucks bringing products from outside the region.

“Sa mga rice trader at truckers, wag kayo magalala. Tuturuan natin ng leksyon ang mga siraulong ‘yan para masigurong maayos kayong makapagnegosyo. Kung may mga reklamo kayo sa iba pang opisyales o kawani ng DOTr, ‘wag kayong mangingiming ipaalam sa akin,” the Department of Transportation (DOTr) chief said.

To take over the two LTO offices in the said province, a set of LTO employees and officials have been deployed temporarily to continue business as usual.

Source: Inquirer