Two LTFRB-7 officials cleared of anti-graft raps

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has dismissed for lack of merit the criminal complaint for graft and corruption against two Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board officials and two other private individuals.

Graft investigator Sarah Jo Vergara found no sufficient evidence to indict former LTFRB-7 director Romulo Bernardes, chief transportation and development officer Jose Doughlas Sanson, and their alleged private cohorts of the complaint filed by Richard Cabucos, president of the Metro Cebu Taxi Operators Association (MCTOA).

Cabucos accused the two LTFRB-7 officials of allegedly conniving with taxi operator Josephine Mallett and other unidentified person in the anomalous processing of application for taxi franchises in 2009.

Cabucos said Mallett’s application for the franchises of five taxi units got processed despite their opposition and the suspension of the memorandum circular that was made as basis for the application.

According to Cabucos, LTFRB issued in December 2009 a memorandum circular opening of applications for appropriation of abandoned and or expired Certificate of Public Convenience (CPCs) or franchise in Central Visayas.

There were 200 units that were opened for appropriation but Cabucos’ group had opposed it. MCTOA’s opposition resulted in the cancellation of the memorandum.

But despite the cancellation, Cabucos said Mallett, in connivance with Bernardes and Sanson, was able to process her application.

The respondents denied the charges saying Mallett’s application was also cancelled.

“There being no proof of substantial breach of LTFRB regulations, this Office does not find it equitable under the circumstances to delve too much on the incidental adverse observations of complainant,” Vergara said. — (FREEMAN)