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By James Konstantin Galvez,
Reporter
LAND Transportation Office (LTO)
Chief Alberto Suansing recently said the agency will conduct a
separate investigation on the graft charges filed against the head
of the agency’s registration unit, Merciditas Eusebio Gutierrez,
and 28 other individuals in relation to the alleged illegal
registration of imported vehicles.
In an interview, Suansing said
they are still waiting for the copy of the case filed with the
Office of the Ombudsman by the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG),
in connection with the alleged registration of imported vehicles, of
which the corresponding taxes were not paid. Once the LTO receives
the documents on the case, it will then proceed with its own
investigation.
Gutierrez said she is open to any
investigation so she can clear her name and prove that the LTO is
working hand in hand with the other agencies to fight vehicle
smuggling.
“I respect the authority of the
PASG and its serious campaign in going after smugglers. We at the
LTO are also doing our part to help them,” Gutierrez explained.
Graft charges were filed against
29 individuals including officials of the Bureau of Customs and LTO
in relation to the registration of imported vehicles, of which the
proper taxes were not paid.
Gutierrez has explained her
office does not issue the required Certificate of Confirmation that
is needed to register an imported vehicle, if the Customs bureau
does not issue the original Certificate of Payment.
Likewise, the LTO is not the one
that determines if correct taxes have been paid on an imported
vehicle. Gutierrez said that is the authority of the Customs bureau.
LTO insiders believe that
big-time smuggling syndicates could be behind the accusations made
against the LTO official because of her strict policies that make it
difficult for them to continue their illegal operations.
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