LTO chief’s hands tied on Stradcom
By Jefferson Antiporda Reporter
Assistant Secretary Virginia Torres, the chief of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), on Tuesday said that her hands are tied on the P1.2-billion fee being sought by information technology (IT) firm Stradcom Corp., citing separate court rulings and legal opinions by the Office of the Solicitor General and the Commission on Audit (COA).
Torres, who returned to her post also on Tuesday after a 60-day leave of absence, explained that LTO would only pay Stradcom—the IT service provider of the transportation office —once an intra-corporate dispute among its owners was settled and the rightful claimants were identified by the court.
“Hindi ako marunong magalit (I don’t know how to get angry). I have no problem with the (Cezar) Quiambao group. (It is) more on legal issues (and) we have to
wait for all the decisions of the court (on the ownership issue),” she said in response to reporters’ queries during a press conference on the filing of graft charges against her by the Quiambao faction for non-payment of the fee.
The ownership of Stradcom is the subject of an interpleader complaint filed by the Office of the Solicitor General on behalf of the LTO with the Quezon City Regional Trial Court to determine the legitimate owners of the IT firm.
“The money is intact in an escrow account. When the court says we should pay, then we will pay,” Torres stressed.
In case Stradcom delivered on its threat to shut down its operation if the LTO would continue to refuse to pay the P1.2-billion fee, Torres said that she had issued an order to all field offices to come up with their respective contingency plans.
According to the LTO chief, she was forced to issue a memorandum withholding the payment after Stradcom, in a letter dated March 23, 2011, threatened to stop its operation because of the failure and refusal of LTO to settle its financial obligations amounting to around P1.2 billion.
“It was Stradcom who threatened us with the shutdown . . . So we have to have a contingency and that plan is going back to manual,” said Torres, who distributed copies of the Stradcom letter to members of the media after the press conference.
Stradcom spokesman Margaux Salcedo denied Torres’ claims, saying that no threat was made by the IT firm.
“In fact, Stradcom has patiently continued its services for the past eight months inspite of the fact of unjust refusal to pay by the LTO chief,” Salcedo added.
Torres laid out a three-point reform program that focuses on making the LTO a model of good governance and service excellence.
“My first agenda for the next two weeks now that I am back in office are two things: one, review and be up-to-date with the issues and actions taken by the LTO during my absence, and two, to prepare for a comprehensive briefing and dialogue with the new DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications) secretary regarding LTO issues, including our development program and reform agenda,” she said.
Torres welcomed an announced plan by the minority bloc in the House of Representatives to investigate her and other officials who are perceived to be close to President Benigno Aquino 3rd.
“I am open to it (probe) and I thank (the lawmakers’ initiative) so that once and for all the truth would be known. All my claims are properly documented and we have proof,” the LTO chief said.
Toores also explained that while she was away, she formulated an umbrella development program dubbed “The Road to Change,” which stands for reform, organization and advocacy development.
“This development program is a reflection of the (Aquino) administration’s vow to transform the land transportation sector. The Road to Change shall serve as the blueprint of all reform programs, organizational developments and advocacy activities of LTO,” she said.
Upon her return to the transportation office after a 60-day leave of absence, Torres hailed the appointment of former Sen. Manuel Roxas 2nd as DOTC chief and thanked outgoing Transportation Secretary Jose de Jesus for his professionalism that, according to Torres, will guide her conduct.
Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/news/topstories/lto-chief%E2%80%99s-hands-tied-on-stradcom/
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