TROUBLE AT LTO-7: Galario files string of complaints vs Apolinar

Local

THE top two officials of the Land Transportation Office in Central Visayas are now locked in a legal battle after the regional director filed a case against his assistant director before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

Regional Director Glenn Galario lodged the complaint on Thursday, September 11, 2025, accusing Assistant Regional Director Arturo Apolinar of usurpation of authority, grave misconduct, and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The case stemmed from Apolinar’s alleged unauthorized approval of a multimillion-peso disposal transaction involving impounded vehicles.

In his affidavit, Galario said Apolinar unilaterally signed and approved a Notice of Award on February 17, 2025, in favor of E&J Scrap Metal Wholesaling.

The award covered the sale of 37 four-wheeled vehicles and 114 motorcycles for P230,000, despite procedures requiring the regional director’s approval.

Galario stressed that Apolinar, as chair of the Regional Disposal Committee, was only authorized to recommend actions to the director.

Instead, he both recommended and signed the award, which Galario described as a clear case of conflict of interest and usurpation of authority.

He also argued that the contract was disadvantageous to the government because no market valuation study was conducted before the vehicles were sold.

The complaint further alleged that one of Apolinar’s staff delivered the payment, although the receipt was issued in the name of the buyer, suggesting the assistant director had a pecuniary interest in the deal.

Galario asked the Ombudsman to hold Apolinar liable for violations of Section 3(e), Section 3(g), and Section 3(i) of Republic Act 3019, along with Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code. The Ombudsman is expected to open an investigation into the case.

Apolinar has not yet issued a statement on the complaint.

This is not the first time Apolinar has faced allegations before the Ombudsman.

He was previously linked to illegal tapping of water and electricity at the Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (MVIC) compound in Mandaue City, with utility lines allegedly diverted to a private insurance office.

Police recorded the matter on April 2, 2024, after a guard flagged the incident.

An inspection team later confirmed the illegal connections, prompting LTO Chief and Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza to issue Apolinar a Notice to Explain on August 8, 2025.

On August 27, 2025, a complaint filed under the alias “Carmen Celestial” accused Apolinar of using his post to benefit a private insurance company and attempting to reassign a security guard who discovered the irregularity.

The same filing alleged he extorted P500,000 from private emission testing centers (PETCs) in exchange for facilitating applications.

The Ombudsman was asked to investigate him then for grave misconduct, dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.(MyTVCebu)