Tugade: Ouster of Bicol LTFRB chief has basis

LEGAZPI CITY — The ouster of the Bicol director of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) was based on verified reports of corrupt practices, according to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.

In a statement sent by email to Inquirer, Tugade said Jun Abrazaldo was removed under his “One Strike Policy” against corruption at the Department of Transportation.

“This is the best thing to do in order to make sure that rotten tomatoes do not mix with employees who uphold honest and transparent governance,” Tugade’s statement said.

“This is proof that we do not let anyone get away with corruption in the department,” he said.

He said Abrazaldo’s removal was an order made by President Duterte.

Nica reports

LTFRB Chair Martin Delgra III said Abrazaldo’s case was based on three reports from the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (Nica) that were received by the LTFRB in August and December 2017, and February 2018.

Other complaints against Abarazaldo had also been filed at the LTFRB main office, Delgra said.

One complaint involved a road accident in 2017 involving two trucks in Atimonan, Quezon province. One truck was owned by a company in Quezon City, while the other by a firm based in Naga City.

The Naga City firm filed a case against the Quezon City firm at  Bicol LTFRB office.

Abrazaldo, still regional LTFRB chair then, threatened the Quezon City firm with suspension of franchise if it rejected a P3-million compensation demand made by the Naga City company.

He also threatened to seize 11 trucks being operated by the Quezon City firm.

No jurisdiction

Abrazaldo allegedly interfered in the case despite not being authorized to do so as the accident happened in another region, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon).

Another complaint was filed by Rogelio Erni, owner of Ultrabus Transportation Inc. (UTI).

Erni sought an audience with Delgra to accuse Abrazaldo of illegal apprehension and impounding of a UTI bus.

Tugade’s statement said Abrazaldo’s removal was based on merits of the complaint.

“His removal is not solely in Delgra’s hand, but upon orders of President Duterte himself,” the statement said.

Challenge

Delgra said he believed his iron fist policy against corruption irked Abrazaldo and other officials.

“I am not scared of whatever they throw at us,” Delgra said.

Abrazaldo had accused Delgra of protecting several transport firms and challenged Delgra to quit as well.

In a complaint filed at the Office of the Ombudsman against Delgra, Abrazaldo recalled Delgra summoning him over the apprehension of bus units of a company.

Tugade warned employees and officials in his department against corruption. “Don’t do it because you will get caught,” he said in his statement.