Ex-LTO-6 employee indicted in fixing, falsification case

By Gerome Dalipe

ILOILO CITY — The Iloilo City Prosecutor’s Office has found probable cause to indict a former Land Transportation Office-6 employee over alleged document falsification and illegal fixing activities.

The employee had previously been dismissed from LTO-6 for serious misconduct.

The case marks another step in the regional office’s campaign against corruption and fixing, practices that can deprive the government of revenue and subject motorists to unauthorized transactions outside official channels.

Assistant City Prosecutor Leonel P. Dapat rejected the former employee’s explanation for possessing a falsified official receipt and allegedly using it in a scheme for illicit gain.

LTO-6 Regional Director Gaudioso P. Geduspan II filed the criminal complaint.

The former employee faces alleged violations of Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code, which covers falsification by a public officer or employee.

The complaint also cites Section 21(h) of Republic Act No. 9485, as amended by Republic Act No. 11032, which prohibits fixing or collusion with fixers for economic or other gain.

A finding of probable cause permits prosecutors to pursue a criminal case but does not constitute a finding of guilt.

The complaint followed an investigation by the Regional Administrative Action Board, which found substantial evidence linking the former employee to an unauthorized transaction conducted outside established LTO procedures.

The case involved a reckless driving violation carrying a PHP 12,000 penalty.

Instead of following the regular process, the former employee allegedly offered to reduce the penalty to PHP 7,000 in exchange for facilitating the transaction.

The alleged encounter was captured on video and later supported by digital evidence and investigative findings.

The LTO-6 Intelligence and Investigation Unit also uncovered a dummy Facebook account allegedly used by the employee to contact apprehended motorists.

Investigators said the account was used to offer assistance in fixing violations in exchange for lower payments.

The alleged services included facilitating the release of confiscated driver’s licenses and license plates.

The former employee questioned the admissibility of photographs, videos and online conversations presented as evidence.

The board rejected the challenge, saying investigators had directly examined the digital evidence on the complainant’s device.

It found the evidence sufficient to support the administrative case.

The board also dismissed the employee’s defenses as largely denials and technical objections.

It found substantial evidence supporting charges of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and violation of the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act.

The prosecutor’s office reached a similar conclusion, describing the defense as a “general denial” that failed to overcome the witnesses’ positive statements and the documentary evidence.

The case forms part of Geduspan’s campaign to remove fixers from LTO-6 and restore public confidence in government transactions.

LTO-6 records show the agency has apprehended 26 fixers, filed 96 cases and secured at least 18 convictions in various courts.

Geduspan said the latest legal action involved more than one employee or transaction.

“It is a warning to anyone who sees public service as an opportunity for personal profit,” he said.

Geduspan said LTO-6 would not tolerate fixing by outsiders or its own personnel.

The filing of the case sends a clear message that government transactions cannot be turned into private sources of income, he said.

“Corruption has no place inside LTO-6, and accountability will reach those who abuse the agency’s trust,” Geduspan emphasized.