LTO-6 sacks employee in fixing case

By Gerome Dalipe

A Land Transportation Office employee in Western Visayas has been dismissed after being found guilty of grave misconduct in connection with an alleged fixing scheme, in a case that underscores the regional office’s intensified anti-corruption campaign.

The dismissal was approved by LTO-6 Regional Director Gaudioso P. Geduspan II following a ruling by the Regional Administrative Action Board, which found substantial evidence that the employee facilitated unauthorized transactions outside official channels, causing revenue losses to the government and undermining public trust.

In its resolution, the board said the employee’s actions deprived the government of lawful fines and penalties and involved the issuance of a falsified official receipt.

The case stemmed from a reckless driving violation in which the employee allegedly offered to reduce a PHP 12,000 penalty to PHP 7,000.

Authorities said the arrangement was captured on video and later supported by digital evidence gathered during the investigation.

A further investigation by the LTO-6 Intelligence and Investigation Unit found that the employee had used a dummy Facebook account to contact apprehended motorists and offer to fix violations in exchange for lower payments and the faster release of confiscated licenses and plates.

The board rejected the employee’s challenge to the authenticity of the evidence, ruling that materials directly examined from the complainant’s device had sufficient probative value.

It described the defense as a mere denial that relied on technicalities.

The board upheld charges of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and violation of the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, which penalizes fixing and related illegal acts in government transactions.

Geduspan said the dismissal forms part of an internal cleansing program aimed at restoring credibility in the agency.

As of November 2025, LTO-6 said it had apprehended 26 fixers, filed 96 cases, and secured 18 convictions as part of its crackdown.

The regional director also ordered sanctions against erring personnel, ranging from suspension to dismissal, as part of a broader drive to curb corruption in the office.