Lastimoso still LTO chief?

Weeks after Malacañang ordered Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Roberto Lastimoso relieved from his post, he is still said to be occupying it due to a technicality.

LTO sources said the reason for this was the failure of the Department of Transportation and Communications and Malacañang to forward a formal order for Lastimoso to vacate his post and turn it over to LTO officer-in-charge Agustin Bengzon, who is undersecretary for special concerns and maritime affairs at the DOTC.

Sources said DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza also reportedly denied Lastimoso’s application for leave effective July 16 to effect a smooth turnover to Bengzon.

Bengzon, on the other hand, was prevented from assuming his new duties since he has not yet been given documents confirming his status.

LTO public information officer Farley Viola confirmed that LTO employees are confused — the scheduled turnover from Lastimoso to Bengzon on July 16 did not push through.

Lastimoso earlier said that to play it safe, he would not vacate his post without an order from Malacañang since he might be charged with abandoning his post.

On the part of the LTO employees, Viola said they still consider Lastimoso as their boss until the DOTC formally declares Bengzon’s assumption of the agency’s top post.

Mendoza, his spokesman Thompson Lantion, Bengzon and Lastimoso were all unavailable for comment as of press time yesterday.

Last July 3, Lastimoso claimed he was not informed that he was being relieved of his post. This came after he was publicly berated by President Arroyo last June 9.

The next day, July 4, the President ordered Lastimoso to go on official leave — the Palace euphemism for a graceful exit — effective on July 15. She appointed Bengzon officer-in-charge (OIC) of the LTO until she finds a permanent replacement for Lastimoso.

While she did not give the exact date when Lastimoso’s official leave would end, the President assured him he retains his post as assistant secretary.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said Lastimoso filed a leave of absence of his own volition and it was approved by the President

In a brief statement, the President confirmed the re-assignment of the erstwhile LTO chief.

Mendoza was supposed to make the official announcement July 4, but the removal of Lastimoso was prematurely confirmed to the press by a Palace official with whom Lastimoso supposedly met on July 3 at Malacañang.

Lastimoso himself was unaware of the change in his status at the LTO until the media sought his confirmation.

Press Secretary Milton Alingod, however, refuted on July 5 reports that Lastimoso was relieved as LTO chief without being officially informed beforehand.

Alingod said the Office of the Executive Secretary transmitted the Bengzon and Lastimoso papers, by courier and fax, before the close of office hours on July 3, 2003. These were officially received by the LTO and DOTC early evening of the same date, he said.

Alingod emphasized that the process of replacement was routine and proper, and it was never intended to treat Lastimoso unceremoniously or put him in a bad light.

In her statement, however, the President defended Lastimoso. "There is no point in heaping all the blame on (Lastimoso) for the ills of the (LTO). He did his best, but he was apparently overwhelmed by the morass of problems. We have to move on from here."

She also commended Lastimoso, whom she subjected to a public tongue-lashing on June 9 at the LTO head office on East Avenue, Quezon City.

Mrs. Arroyo let loose her famed temper during a surprise inspection of the LTO head office, where she saw that cashiers’ offices were already closed at 4 p.m. instead of open until 5 p.m. The presence of many people loitering about the LTO compound amid reports of "fixers" plying their illegal trade within the premises also drew her ire.

The President paid a visit to the LTO after informants reported allegations of rampant graft and corruption at the LTO, including reports of its connivance with private drug-testing centers raking in money from the drug tests required of those applying for and renewing licenses.