LTO-7 chief cries demolition job

Local

PART of a demolition job.

That was how Land Transportation Office-Central Visayas (LTO 7) Regional Director Glen G. Galario described the graft complaints filed against him before the Office of the Ombudsman.

In an interview on August 29, Galario revealed that an official within his own ranks was behind the charges, describing the move as “unfounded” and “unsubstantiated.”

Galario said the filing of complaints against him was part of an effort to unseat him. He refused to name the person behind the alleged demolition job but claimed that the official was interested in taking over his post as regional director.

“Ang duda nako, this is a retaliatory nga measure sa usa ka tawo nga naa sa sud sa LTO (Regional Office). Kana siya nga tawo interested gud gihapon sad siya sa lingkuranan as RD (Regional Director),” he said.

The LTO-7 chief denied all allegations of corruption in the complaints.

“Nagdawat ko? Kanus-a? Pila? Kinsa’y nagdawat? Kinsa’y naghatag?” he asked, challenging his accusers to present proof.

He added that the charges were too general, lacking specific details or sworn affidavits, and even hinted that some of the names of respondents listed might be fictitious.

Galario admitted that the complaints affected him personally, though he had anticipated such moves from rivals.

“Naguol ko uy kay ngano number one di man to tinuod, number two that is Ombudsman. Diba? Kami tanan sa gobyerno di gyud mi gusto og kaso sa Ombudsman,” he said.

Despite the cases, the regional director expressed readiness to pursue counter-charges. He said the complaints would not stop and that he himself would bring the matter before the Ombudsman if necessary.

Galario confirmed he would submit his formal response to the two pending cases while also preparing a separate complaint against the official he believes is behind the smear campaign.

Earlier reports showed that two separate complaints were lodged against Galario this month.

On August 15, Rosario Y. Paras accused him 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 alleged that an officer-in-charge at the LTO Talisay office was tasked to remit P150,000 weekly to Galario.

Paras also asked the Ombudsman to conduct a lifestyle check on Galario.

Another case was filed on August 12 by Pablo Dignos, who claimed that Galario received payola from operators of colorum vehicles in Bohol province.

Dignos alleged that unregistered public utility vehicles were able to continue operating after paying protection money, and that operators who complied were issued special stickers to avoid apprehension.

The regional director, however, stood firm that the accusations were baseless and designed to remove him from office.(MyTVCebu)