LTO-contractor war heats up

MANILA, Philippines - A rift between the head of the Land Transportation Office and the agency’s computerization contractor, Stradcom Corp., continues to worsen.

LTO chief Virginia Torres said yesterday Stradcom had violated provisions of its contract that could warrant the early termination of its services. She refused to disclose the violations except one: the absence of a backup mechanism for the LTO’s computerized transactions.

Torres’ accusation against Stradcom came a day after the contractor accused her of “conspiring” with a group that took over the firm’s facility in the LTO compound last week, resulting in a standoff that paralyzed the LTO’s operations for hours.

Stradcom vice president Vince Dizon said yesterday they are preparing to file economic sabotage charges against Torres and some police officers from Quezon City police station 10 who allegedly allowed the illegal takeover.

He said Torres was seen in the company of the security guards who took over the facility, based on surveillance camera footage. He said they have also filed an administrative complaint with the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) against Torres.

DOTC Undersecretary Dante Velasco said they are reviewing video footage submitted by Stradcom and asking the Department of Justice to help in the probe.

Meanwhile, youth group Pnoy Marka Ko called on DOTC Undersecretary Aristotle Batuhan to inhibit himself from the Stradcom corporate dispute because he used to be the firm’s lawyer.

The group said they have received reports that Batuhan was at the LTO compound before the standoff. – With Perseus Echeminada, Rainier Allan Ronda