LTFRB execs coddling ‘colorum’ PUVs probed

Four officials of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s National Capital Region (LTFRB-NCR) office are being investigated for their alleged involvement in illegal activities leading to more “colorum” (operating without a franchise) vehicles in Metro Manila.

LTFRB board member Aileen Lizada told reporters on Monday that following an audit and a tip from an informant, LTFRB-NCR Director Rodolfo Jaucian was ordered transferred on Nov. 15 to the career executive service officer pool of the Civil Service Commission after a “ghost database” was found to have been maintained by his office.

On the other hand, LTFRB-NCR technical evaluation division head Jean Gunda and administrative officer Mary Jane Manajero were ordered transferred to the agency’s Zamboanga and Soccsksargen offices, while hearing officer lawyer Melchor Fronda tendered his resignation.

Lizada explained that each LTFRB regional office holds just one database which lists the franchise of all public utility vehicles (PUVs) operating within its jurisdiction.

Two databases

However, this was not the case with the NCR office as it had another database containing a list of valid, expired and revoked franchises reportedly being sold to PUV operators at high prices.

In fact, a recent entrapment operation conducted by the LTFRB and National Bureau of Investigation on Nov. 21 showed that a PUV operator paid P310,000 for a franchise which was doctored to make it appear that it was issued in 2013.

Earlier, LTFRB Chair Martin Delgra III said that operators applying for a franchise needed to pay just P520 as processing fee.

At the moment, however, there is a moratorium on the approval of applications.

Lizada, meanwhile, said that aside from holding two databases, the LTFRB-NCR office was also found to be keeping various case folders of franchise in Jaucian’s pantry instead of the records section.

According to her, their discoveries showed that the NCR office had “mastered the art of corruption in extending and reviving franchises.”

Lizada added that this may also be the reason behind the NCR office’s consistent refusal to turn over its files to the central office during the terms of then LTFRB Chairs Alberto Suansing, Thompson Lantion and Jaime Jacob.

Delgra said that they have yet to conduct a thorough check of the two “compromised” databases containing valid franchises.

Adverse effect

They have also not yet decided what to do with the PUVs holding a questionable franchise as this may affect public transportation in the metropolis, he added.

According to Delgra, they were preparing to charge the four LTFRB-NCR officials with estafa, falsification and violation of Republic Act No. 6173 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, as well as RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. – Jovic Yee