LTO urges motorists not to bribe personnel, lauds 4 Bicolano enforcers for integrity
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) urged motorists not to offer money or any form of bribe to its enforcers to get away with road safety and traffic violations.
In a statement, LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Jose Arturo “Jay Art” Tugade said the bribe and other monetary considerations being offered to its enforcers are what encourages some to be corrupt.
"There will be no corrupt if nobody would encourage them to be corrupt. Let us work together," Tugade appealed to the public.
He, however, praised four law enforcers from Bicol region who turned down a bribe offer from a driver of a van that is being illegally used for public transportation.
Based on the report, LTO enforcers Rey Alvin Belgica, Wilfredo Macapagal Jr., Ferdinand Sta Ana Jr., and Gregory Jim Monforte flagged down a van along Maharlika Highway in Sorsogon City to verify its license and registration.
Upon verification, the group discovered that the vehicle is being used to transport 17 passengers from Northern Samar to Cubao.
"This is a clear violation since the vehicle is allegedly operating 'for hire' without an approved franchise and therefore engaged in 'colorum' operation," said Tugade.
As Belgica was about to issue the Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP) to complete the apprehension, he was surprised that the driver of the vehicle approached him and tried to tuck three pieces of P1,000 bills under the documents he was holding.
However, the driver suddenly grabbed the money and walked away from the officer upon learning that his actions were being recorded by a phone camera.
This resulted in the arrest of the driver. The LTO enforcers took him to the nearest police station.
"The entire LTO and myself laud the actions of our noble traffic enforcers for refusing to accept the alleged bribery attempt, for standing firm in enforcing the law and not be tempted by acts of corruption. They are exceptional public servants that should be emulated by everyone," said Tugade.
"Offering bribes to our law enforcers will not get you anywhere and will make things worse," he added.