Complaint Alleged ‘Quota’, Favoritism Vs LTO-7

Allegations of anomalies ranging from ordering daily quotas of sum of money collected from clients, favoritism in appointments, etc. abound in the Land Transportation Office (LTO) regional office, according to a complaint.

Disgruntled Employee

But LTO regional director Arnel Tancinco quickly dismissed the allegations, saying that it all came from disgruntled employees who were affected by their internal reforms, a direct order of LTO chief, Assistant Secretary Alfonso Tan, Jr.

He did not say categorically however whether there is corruption in LTO 7, (i.e. collecting grease money from issuances of driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations and related government sanctioned services on the land transportation sector).

“They were affected by some (reform) policies, initial action to prevent something ba,” Tancinco told MetroCebu News (MCN) in a phone interview when asked for his reaction.

Order to Raise Quota

However, one of the complainants, Carmenia Caballes alleged she has been ordered to raise a daily quota of P5,000-7,000, claiming further that there were times that Director Tancinco himself would call her up regarding the supposed quota.

“That as per advice from the Administrative Officer and the latter told me that the Acting Regional Director inquired as to whether I can accumulate FIVE THOUSAND (P5, 000.00) everyday and to submit the same to the finance officer, Cecile Jinky C. Estrada at 3:30 pm for action submission to Acting Regional Director Arnel Tancinco; however there were also instances, when it is already 3:00 pm and I could not yet deliver the amount of Php5, 000.00, he (Tancinco) would call and inquire from me, if I have already Php5, 000.00 pesos,” a portion of Caballes complaint-affidavit said.

Investigation

Caballes had the matter investigated by the Ombudsman for the Visayas and the offices of Pres. Benigno Aquino, DOTC Sec. Joseph Emilio Abaya, LTO chief Tan and the Civil Service Commission, were also given copies of the complaint.

She used to be the evaluator of the Manufacturer, Assembler, Importer, Dealers System (MAIDS) where she also claimed that the daily quota was increased to P7, 000.00 (through a certain Aden Belza, OIC Administrative Division), otherwise Tancinco allegedly would reassign her or be placed in floating status.

“That I would request that this matter should be investigated and end this anomaly in the LTO office,” the affidavit of Caballes further reads.

Mere Retaliation

Tancinco downplayed the allegation and said Caballes merely retaliated as she was already transferred back to Tacloban City upon orders of Tan.

The incumbent LTO regional chief also tagged Caballes as a “protégé” of Energy Undersecretary Raul Aguilos, then his predecessor before his (Aguilos) promotion to the Department of Energy.

“Officially si Carmenia Caballes was relieved by the Assistant Secretary (Tan), mao na (that is her) counter action, tawo na siya ni (she is a protégé of) Director Aguilos,” Tancinco emphatically told MCN.

Favoritism in Promotions

Caballes, however, has been supported by eleven other LTO employees, citing other allegations which includes favoritism in promotions of their colleagues and questioning the authority of Tancinco.

They also claimed that the incumbent LTO-7 head allegedly has just been given a designation and not a permanent appointment.

Harassment

Those who signed the complaint assisted by their other lawyer, Isaias Giduquio, included Editha Soco, Bernardo Borromeo, Jenever Magdadaro, Josefina Tambolero, Jeremias Undalok, Melva Vasquez, Erwin Aquinde, Betina Mangubat, Ida Mangubat and Lydia Lastimoso appealing to Sec. Abaya for his appropriate action as Tancinco allegedly has been harassing them.

”That OIC Tancinco has harassed the undersigned employees for no apparent valid reasons,” they claimed, “We are therefore appealing to your Honorable Office that OIC Arnel Tancinco, be restrained from harassing the undersigned employees and to restrain him further from making new appointments, in view of his doubtful authority to sign appointment, being just extended a DESIGNATION,” their complaint to Abaya added reads, among others, dated February 4, 2014.

Violation of Civil Service Law and RA 6713

The complaining LTO-7 employees told the Civil Service Commission that Tancinco might have violated the Civil Service Law and Republic Act 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Official and Employees), along with Pulga and Sulib, alleged that some who were promoted are questionable, inquiring from Abaya if Tancinco has the authority to make appointments, since allegedly Tancinco has just been given an extended designation.

OIC

Based on Special Order No. 2013-286 dated October 03, 2013 signed by Abaya, Tancinco has been designated OIC-LTO regional director while Pulga is the OIC assistant regional director. (Abaya’s order to Tancinco and Pulga stated; “you are hereby authorized to discharge the functions thereof)

The office of Sec. Abaya through DOTC Director Maria Cecila Natividad has already ordered an investigation of the incident by way of a memorandum to LTO chief Tan and DOTC director Atty. Gerard Tan.

Below Qualification

Editha Soco, one of the complainants stated in her affidavit that she used to be the head of the Driver’s License Renewal Center at SM City-Cebu.

She alleged that Sulib who is their acting HRMO got the promotion of Transportation Regulation Officer (TRO ll-, SG 15), falls below the qualification of the latter, who was promoted from being a Book Keeper having a Salary Grade (SG) that is seven grades lower.

Soco claims she is the next in rank for the TRO ll position as she holds SG 14 as Records Officer while Sulib only holds SG-8.

The protestant employee (Soco) said also in her affidavit that she has superior qualifications than Sulib, Master in Public Administration (MPA) and two college degrees, BS Business Administration (BSBA) and BS Education and professional career civil service eligibility.

For his part, Jeremias Undalok protested the appointment of fellow employee, Claro Lumagas as Assistant Statistician assigned in Toledo City LTO office.

Undalok claimed that he has been assigned for 18 years in Toledo City and should have been promoted, rather than Lumagas claiming to be more senior.

Notice

As the employee next in rank in their Toledo City office, he also should have been given notice, which Tancinco, Pulga and Sulib allegedly failed giving preference to Lumagas instead, whose assignment is in the Cebu City LTO office.

The other complainants questioned the authority of Tancinco to send them back to their plantilla positions, including postings which are already outside of their regional office in Natalio Bacalso Avenue.

Before his LTO stint, Tancinco used to be the Executive Officer of the Cebu City Traffic Operations and Management (CITOM). He became LTO assistant regional director then took over the position of Aguilos in September last year when the latter was appointed as Undersecretary for Energy.