Former LTFRB-7 chief cleared of graft charge

THE Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas has dismissed the criminal complaint for graft and corruption filed against Romulo Bernaldes, former chief of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Central Visayas (LTFRB-7).

The anti-graft office found insufficient evidence against Bernaldez who was charged along with Jose Douglas Sanson, chief transportation development officer, and some private individuals.

The issue stemmed from a complaint filed by Ricardo Cabucos of the Metro Cebu Taxi Operators Association.

Cabucos said the LTFRB in 2009 issued an executive order that allows the “opening of applications for appropriation of abandoned certificate of public convenience in regional offices.”

With the order, around 200 units of air-conditioned taxis were opened for application at a cost of P10,000 per unit. The implementation of the order was later suspended.

However, Bernardes and Sanson allegedly processed the application of a certain Josephine Mallett.

The anti-graft office deemed the complaint filed by Cabucos insufficient to cause the filing of charges in court against the respondents. REPORTER ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL