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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Ombudsman asked to probe LTO-7 official

Ombudsman asked to probe LTO-7 official

Published Sep 1, 2025 06:10 pm
APOLINAR (FB)
APOLINAR (FB)
CEBU CITY – The Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas has been asked to investigate the second highest official of the Land Transportation Office-Central Visayas (LTO-7).
Engr. Arturo R. Apolinar, assistant regional director of LTO-7, was accused of grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and dishonesty.
An employee of LTO-7 who asked not to be named filed for fear of reprisal filed the complaint on Friday, Aug. 29, raising accusations of illegal tapping of water and electrical lines as well corruption.
When sought for comment, Apolinar told reporters that he was unaware of the complaint.
“Thank you for the concern. No comment because I don’t have knowledge regarding that,” Apolinar said in mixed Tagalog and English.
In the letter-complaint addressed to acting Ombudsman Dante F. Vargas, the complainant accused Apolinar of illegally tapping water and electrical lines at the LTO Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (MVIC) compound in Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City.
The complaint alleged that the illegally tapped electrical line specifically comes from the office of Apolinar, leading to a privately constructed building intended to be an insurance office by Stronghold Insurance. This building, located adjacent to the MVIC compound, is reportedly benefiting from free water and electrical access, to the detriment of the government.
This allegation was corroborated by an earlier Notice to Explain issued to Apolinar by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) dated Aug. 8, 2025.
The DOTr's notice refers to an endorsement from the Office of the Secretary regarding a report from LTO-7 Director Glen G. Galario concerning the "alleged illegal or unauthorized tapping of water and electrical lines" from the LTO MVIC compound.
The incident was reportedly discovered on March 28, 2024.
Further investigation conducted by a team led by Atty. Vincent Francis Bien B. Santiago showed that water leakage and illegal electrical tapping were traceable to connections originating from the MVIC compound, with the electrical line "specifically identified as connected to your office."
The DOTr notice also mentioned that an individual named "Makoy," allegedly Apolinar's trusted aide, was identified as responsible for the installation of the illegal connections.
In addition to the tapping allegations, the complainant also accused Apolinar of soliciting and receiving P500,000 from Private Emission Testing Centers (PETC) for his help in expediting their applications with higher authorities.
The complaint named Aljean Metante, the head guard assigned at LTO MVIC compound, as a witness, claiming Metante was requested to work the night shift when Apolinar would meet with PETC representatives, indicating knowledge of these "illegal activities."
A police blotter entry from the Mandaue City Police Station 2 dated April 3, 2024, also provides further detail on the utility issue.
Marivic Garganera Causin, chief of the Motor Vehicle Inspection Center, submitted a report on April 1, 2024 regarding a "wiretapping and water-lapping incident" within the premises. Upon investigation, it was found that there was "no Order for Extension for Water & Electricity outside the premises."
The filing of the complaint against Apolinar came a week after Galario was sued before the Ombudsman.
Galario was accused of corruption, an accusation that he vehemently denied.
He said the filing of charges was a form of retaliation after he discovered some anomalies at the LTO-7 office.
Galario added that the allegations against him were part of a demolition job, saying that a high-ranking LTO-7 official was after his position.

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LTO-7 Ombudsman Arturo Apolinar
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