LTO: No irregularities in ARTA officer license renewal

LTO demanding public apology from ARTA for false claims

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is demanding the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) to make a public apology for besmirching the agency's name after they claimed that they caught a fixer who allegedly offered illegal services inside the LTO headquarters in Diliman, Quezon City. The supposed operation was led by ARTA undersecretary Carlos Quita, Deputy Director-General for Administration and Finance, who volunteered to renew his license to lead the fixers in an entrapment operation.

A thorough investigation by the LTO central office and its NCR East Quezon City Licensing Center has shown otherwise. LTO claims their evidence suggests that ARTA Undersecretary Quita, went through the systematic and orderly process of having his driver’s license renewed just like anyone else. Based on their CCTV footage, the agency said that Quita, did in fact, fall in line inside their office and acquired his renewed license through the normal process.

“Based on the report submitted to Asec. Edgar Galvante by Mercynita Paras, Chief of Office, Quezon City Licensing Center, [it] disclosed that there are CCTV cameras strategically located at the said office where it showed that ARTA undersecretary BGen. Carlos Quita, Ret., Deputy Director-General for Administration and Finance made his transactions through the usual process,” said the LTO through a statement sent to MotoPinas.com.

The LTO also added that “based on the CCTV footage, there was no instance that LTO employees talked to him except when his application was evaluated.” The CCTV footage also revealed that it was Quita’s companion who made the payment on the retired general’s behalf at no extra cost contrary to what was previously claimed by ARTA.

"The transaction was legitimate and no irregularities were committed in the processing of his license. In fact, his photo and biometrics were taken prior to the printing and release of his license," said Mercynita Paras, the Chief of Office, Quezon City Licensing Center.

With regards to Quita’s statement that they “breezed through the examination,” Paras clarified that the medical certificate is one of the requirements for the renewal of the license but the CEB Medical Services which issued his certificate, is a private company and the LTO would not know how they conduct their business.

The LTO has likewise requested ARTA to present the driver’s license that was allegedly acquired by Quina from a fixer so that it can further assist the agency with its own investigation. Galvante, says that there is no way that a fake driver’s license could be printed inside the LTO’s offices.

Paras is called on the ARTA to make a public apology. “It is not only our office that you [ARTA] have wronged but our organization in general,” added Paras.

Galvante again reminded the public not to patronize the services of fixers because, in the end, you’ll end up paying more than you should.

“We are appealing to the public time and again not to patronize fixers because engaging their services will only result in paying more than the real amount of the driver’s license,” said Galvante.