NEWS BRIEFS
DRIVERS’ PROTEST
Some 100 drivers yesterday protested the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC)- Dept. Order /D.O – 2008-39, which would give a longer suspension period of drivers’ licenses as penalty for drivers violating traffic rules.
Several of their drivers’ licenses were suspended for 15 days and even up to 180 days, said Gregory Perez, coordinator of drivers’ group, Piston, and council member of Nadsu.
“Our violations are not basis for us to receive unfair punishments from LTO (Land Transportation Office),” Perez said.
The drivers asked LTO-7 chief Raul Aguilos to stop implementing the department order because it was illegal.
Aguilos, however, said that the LTO-7 were just the implementing body and amending or changing these laws were not part of their task.
He also said that if drivers would follow the traffic rules then they could avoid being arrested and penalized./Correspondent Tweeny Malinao with Intern Janica Papelleras
QUIROGA QUITS
The head of the Cebu Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), engineer Adolfo Quiroga resigned yesterday.
In a letter addressed to acting Gov. Agnes Magpale, Quiroga cited that he has long been eligible for retirement.
“I am now 64 years old and have been in the government service for almost 42 years. As such, I have long been eligible for retirement under existing and applicable Government Service laws, rules and regulation,” he said.
He also planned to visit her daughter in New Zealand.
Quiroga also said in his letter that his resignation was effective yesterday (April 10).
On June 17, Quiroga will turn 65, the compulsory retirement age for government employees. /Correspondent Carmel Loise matus
MALVERSATION RAP
The former municipal councilor of Compostela, Cebu will be facing court trial over the loss of P7.5 million in government funds.
The Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas found probable cause to file before the Regional Trial Court charges of malversation of public funds against Lorenzo Almodiel.
Bail was recommeded at P40,000.
In his resolution, graft investigation and prosecution officer Jess Vincent Dela Pena said Almodiel failure to account and produce the P7,524,001.60 is tantamount to misappropriating government funds for his personal advantage. /Reporter Ador Vincent S. Mayol
