Aquino asks LTO head to go on leave

MANILA, Philippines–President Benigno Aquino III has ordered Land Transportation Office (LTO) head Virginia Torres to take a two-month leave of absence effective immediately amid the several controversies surrounding her.
“The President has spoken to DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications) Secretary Jose de Jesus to inform that Torres has been directed to go on leave,” Transportation Undersecretary Dante Velasco said Friday.

Velasco heads the department’s road transport, communications and action center groups.

DOTC Assistant Secretary Raquel Desiderio will take over as officer-in-charge while Torres is on leave.

“By asking Torres to go on leave, the President has given Secretary de Jesus a free hand to implement wide-reaching reforms in the LTO so the agency will once again win the confidence of millions of motorists and the faith of all Filipinos,” Velasco said.

Velasco said the DOTC would look into several issues involving Torres, including the intra-corporate dispute at Stradcom Corp., the LTO’s computer systems provider.
“This will allow the Secretary to accelerate the fulfillment of our mandate to professionalize the LTO,” Velasco said.