MANILA, Philippines – President Aquino visited the wake of former Land Transportation Office chief Virginia Torres in Paniqui, Tarlac yesterday afternoon.
Torres was considered one of Aquino’s close friends until she retired in October 2013, following reports about her playing the slot machines in a casino.
The President stood by Torres when the Department of Justice recommended her dismissal over the alleged disruption of LTO operations that stemmed from a dispute with the agency’s information technology service provider.
Torres hit the headlines anew last year when she went to the Bureau of Customs, supposedly to negotiate the release of smuggled sugar worth over P100 million. She denied the allegations.
The President arrived at the Torres residence in Baltazar Subdivision at 3 p.m. He stayed for 20 minutes and chatted with the family.