Twelve private emission testing centers (PETC) have been suspended for 90 days by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for allegedly faking and tampering emission testing results.
Following a directive from LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Jose Arturo Tugade, the Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) conducted a series of operations in emission testing centers which were reported for allowing "non-appearance transactions".
According to IID Officer-in-Charge Renan Melintante, they were able to prove that the images of emission testing results uploaded by the PETCs on LTO's Image Repository Database Server were either faked or tampered with.
“Isinasalang sa emission testing at iba pang pag-iinspeksyon ang mga sasakyan na magpaparehistro sa LTO para matiyak kung matatawag na roadworthy o ligtas itong bumiyahe. Pero kung ganito na pinalulusot dahil sa bayad na non-appearance inspection, napaka-delikadong magdulot ito ng aksidente at malagay sa panganib hindi lang ang drayber at pasahero kundi ng iba pang mga taong nasa lansangan (Upon registration at the LTO, vehicles undergo emission testing and other inspections to ensure that these are roadworthy and safe for use. Allowing non-appearance inspections only put the drivers, passengers, and other people on the road at risk),” Tugade stressed, explaining why his office remains serious in the fight against this kind of transaction.
To note, Department Order (DO) No. 2012-10 prohibits PETCs to upload fake, tampered, or manipulated images on LTO's server only to prove that an inspection occured.
"Tampering of test result or entering any false information about the vehicle being tested is a ground for withdrawal/cancellation of the PETC's authorization," the DO disclosed.
The LTO already released a show cause order to the IT providers of the 12 PETCs, asking them to explain why their accreditation must not be cancelled.
Tugade assured that the LTO will continue to monitor and act fast on PETCs that are offering non-appearances transactions.