LTO exec sacked over ‘drunk driving,’ ‘too serious a violation’ – Dizon

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon speaks to the members of the media during a joint press conference at the DOTr office, San Juan City on Thursday, May 22, 2025. (Photo from ARNEL TACSON / INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has removed from his position an officer of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Baguio District Office over a drunk driving charge.

In a press conference at the department’s office in San Juan City on Friday, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong reported the LTO officer to him on Wednesday night.

“He sent me a message that the LTO head – the chief of LTO Baguio, Engineer Edilberto Bungaoen – was caught by Baguio police, traffic enforcers, and was determined to be driving drunk,” he told reporters.

Dizon later corrected himself, saying Bungaoen was the vehicle registration chief of the LTO Baguio District Office.

He further detailed that the arrest took place on Tuesday night.

“Earlier this morning, I instructed [LTO chief] Asec. Vigor [Mendoza] to immediately remove this employee,” said Dizon.

“There are procedures right now to initiate termination with the Civil Service Commission for cause,” the secretary pointed out.

READ: LTO: 736 licenses revoked due to drunk driving in 2024

“There is no room for someone like this in the Land Transportation Office and the Department of Transportation,” Dizon emphasized.

“You have to be responsible enough. No more one-time violation, warning. No such thing. This is too serious a violation to allow a repeat of this.” /apl