DOTr to simplify driver’s license application process to combat fixers
(INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/LYN RILLON)
MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will simplify the driver’s license application process to combat fixers.
DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said this in a press conference at the agency’s headquarters in San Juan City on Thursday, after announcing the arrest of a woman in Valenzuela City allegedly selling fake driver’s licenses online.
“We need to simplify it, we need to speed it up, we need to avoid the repetitive requirements, the repetitive steps that sometimes become the reason also for corruption,” Dizon said in Filipino.
The government will do its part.
“We will streamline it, we will simplify the processes, but we will also definitely crack down on these types of people that profit off and abuse our fellow countrymen,∏ added Dizon.
READ: DOTr, LTO to streamline process of car ownership change — Dizon
Fake driver’s licenses, PWD IDs
At the same press conference, Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP ACG) Director Brig. Gen. Bernard Yang said the unit arrested a woman in Valenzuela City last week for allegedly selling fake driver’s licenses and persons with disabilities (PWD) identification cards.
“We intensified our cyberpatrolling and we saw one individual who was selling PWD IDs and driver’s licenses online on a social media platform,” Yang said.
“We did a test buy. These were being sold for P500. When we got a fake ID, we had it certified with the LTO and the PWD office so we can have evidence against our arrested suspect,” he added.
According to the ACG chief, the suspect faces 10 counts of violating Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code, which pertains to the falsification of public documents, in relation to Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
The bail was set at P36,000 for each count, Yang added.
