Ombudsman asked to probe LTO-7 exec for ‘illegal’ water, electrical connections

Local

A HIGH-RANKING official of the Land Transportation Office in Central Visayas (LTO 7) is facing allegations of illegal water and electrical connections at one of the agency’s sites.

The controversy involves Engr. Arturo R. Apolinar, assistant regional director of LTO 7, who has been linked to unauthorized utility tapping traced to the Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (MVIC) compound in Mandaue City.

Police first recorded the issue on April 2, 2024, when Marivic Garganera Causin, 57, reported an incident flagged by a security guard from the MVIC.

Investigators later confirmed that water and electricity from the compound were illegally connected to a house not owned by the LTO.

The inspection team included Atty. Vince Santiago, Charity Padillo, and Mary Debb Bacalso.

On August 8, 2025, the LTO central office issued Apolinar a “Notice to Explain.” The document stated that the unauthorized electrical line was specifically linked to his office.

It also identified a man known as “Mark” or “Makoy,” described as his aide, as the one responsible for installing the illegal connections.

Apolinar was ordered to submit his written explanation within five days.

Later that month, on August 27, an employee of LTO 7 filed a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas under the alias “Carmen Celestial.”

The complaint alleged that Apolinar used his position to let a private insurance company benefit from the tapped utilities for a privately built insurance office beside the MVIC compound.

The complaint also accused Apolinar of extorting P500,000 from Private Emission Testing Centers (PETCs) to facilitate their applications.

It cited MVIC head guard Aljean Metante as a witness and claimed Apolinar tried to transfer him to night duty after learning he knew of the activities.

It further alleged that Apolinar regularly visited PETCs under the guise of inspections but instead collected money.

The Ombudsman has been asked to investigate him for grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and dishonesty.

In a text message to MyTV Cebu, Apolinar refused to give comment, saying “Thank you sa concern. No comment ako sir kasi wala akong alam regarding that.”(MyTVCebu)