CEBU CITY – “Part of a demolition job launched against me.”

This was the response of Land Transportation Office-Central Visayas (LTO-7) Regional Director Glen G. Galario to allegations that he is involved in corruption activities within his office.

Breaking his silence a few days after complaints for graft were lodged against him before the Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas, Galario said a high-ranking official at the LTO-7 is behind the efforts to besmirch him in an attempt to unseat him.

Without identifying the official, Galario said the person behind the supposed demolition job is interested in his position.

“I’m upset but I saw this coming. My suspicion is this is a retaliation from someone from the LTO regional office. That person is interested to take over as regional director,” Galario told reporters on Friday night, Aug. 29.

Galario vehemently denied the allegations against him.

“Nagdawat ko? Kanus-a? Pila? Kinsa’y nagdawat? Kinsa’y naghatag? (I am on the take? When? How much? Who accepted? Who gave the bribe?)” he said.

Galario urged his accusers to present proof, describing the accusations as “too general, lacking specific details.”

He noted the absence of sworn affidavits.

Though he described the accusations as baseless, Galario said these affected him and his family.

“I was saddened because first, the accusations are not true and second, we in the government do not want to be charged before the Ombudsman,” Galario said.

Galario said he will expose the illegal activities of those behind the demolition job and will file his own complaints at the Ombudsman.

“I think this will not stop. So, if this will not stop, we'll see each other in the Ombudsman. It's not gonna be someone else who will file, I will be the one to file,” said Galario.

Galario appealed to the public. “Do not believe right away what you hear or read on the news. Listen to the other side,” said Galario.

Two separate complaints were lodged against Galario this month.

On Aug. 15, one Rosario Y. Paras accused Galario of ordering chiefs of offices to collect grease money in exchange for faster transactions such as licensing, registration, and transfer of vehicle ownership.

The complaint also accused Galario of ordering an officer-in-charge at the LTO Talisay City office to remit P150,000 weekly to him.

On Aug. 12, one Pablo Dignos also filed a complaint against Galario, accusing him of receiving payola from operators of colorum vehicles in Bohol province.