DOTr man faces raps for bribes, ‘escort service’

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade ordered the filing of charges against one of his department’s officials who allegedly accepted bribes, including escort services, from a transport cooperative.

Tugade on Tuesday announced the 90-day preventive suspension of Roberto Delfin, a supervising transportation and development officer based at the department’s main office, as he faced investigation for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

Delfin is accused of receiving through his aide P150,000 in exchange for DOTr’s action in favor of New Sunrise Transport Cooperative (NSTC).

The transport cooperative applied last year for a route measured capacity, wherein the DOTr determines the number of vehicle franchises that can be issued for a particular route. The application was handled by Delfin’s division.

Apart from the cash gift, Delfin also allegedly received from NSTC other favors such as “escort services and all-expense paid accommodation in a private resort,” according to a statement released by Tugade.

The charges against Delfin, however, are yet to be filed in the Office of the Ombudsman as the DOTr’s legal office continues to gather evidence against him.

The DOTr also withheld details on the action being taken against persons in the NSTC who gave the bribe, saying only that they were also covered by investigation. —Jovic Yee