IT firm insists legality of LTO operation; Mendoza brushes aside graft case
The information technology company which is part of the existing online system in the Land Transportation Office (LTO) stood firm on the legality of its operation in the agency following the case filed by a transport group before the Office of the Ombudsman.
In a statement, IT firm Stradcom Corporation cited the existence of what it said is a valid agreement with the national government in providing online services stipulated in the contract for its operation in the LTO.
“Stradcom operates and delivers service to the LTO pursuant to a valid, legal, binding, and enforceable concession agreement with the government,” the IT company said.
“We remain compliant with the terms and conditions of the concession agreement, and faithful in helping the LTO’s service to the motoring public,” it added.
Transport group Federated Land Transport Organizations of the Philippines (Feltop) filed graft charges against former LTO chief Vigor D. Mendoza II before the Office o the Ombudsman for allegedly allowing the collection of computer fees.
The transport group alleged that the company generated at least P169 million from January 2025 to February 2026, claiming the collection was made possible by preferential treatment from former Mendoza.
Stradcom, the proponent of the LTO-IT System, which has automated LTO transactions since 2003, was also included in the charge sheet.
The IT firm said it has yet to receive a copy of the formal complaint.
“We review the allegations once the complaint is officially served. At the proper time, we will respond accordingly and take the necessary legal steps to address what appear to be unfounded graft allegations against our company,” Stradcom said.
In an earlier statement, Mendoza branded the case as old and recycled, “I respect and welcome the decision of a self-proclaimed transport group to bring the matter to the Office of the Ombudsman since this is the proper forum to shed light into this old and recycled issue.”
But he pointed out that the case stemmed from the policy reforms he initiated in the LTO, including the full digitalization in the agency.
Past LTO statements said there are transactions that the operator of the Land Transportation Management System could not carry out.
“Our aggressive policy reforms geared towards fast and comfortable services when I was still in the Land Transportation Office cut deep into the interests of some individuals and groups that they still feel the sharp and biting pain of the effects until now—and therefore, could not move on,” Mendoza said.
“There is one thing certain in the filing of this case: This is not about accountability, this is plain and simple desperation to get even,” he added.