LTO-7 exec name-dropped by Roque denies corruption allegation

The regional director of Land Transportation Office 7 has denied the corruption claims against him, saying that the accusation was meant to pressure him to stop investigations against questionable car dealerships.

In a virtual press conference on Tuesday, LTO-7 regional director Victor Caindec challenged presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to substantiate his accusation against him.

“If he is going to accuse me of being corrupt, then I demand that I be given a fair chance to present everything that is in our possession. So we will know who is corrupt,” he said.

Caindec said that the allegation against him came from a press release in Cagayan De Oro City, which was issued amid the investigation of LTO-7 on a large scale tax evasion on motorcycle dealerships.

“The PR wire came from Cagayan de Oro. The chairman of the motorcycle dealership group is also based and residing in Cagayan de Oro. Wouldn’t that deserve a fair answer for me?” he said.

According to him, they were being pressured to stop the investigation. Aside from bribes, he claimed they were also being bombarded with 600 demand letters from law firms, including one linked to Roque.

“Apparently, in a series of other calls, there seems to be pressure on my side to no longer continue with the investigations,” he said.

Caindec said their probe discovered that some dealers are selling motorcycles even before these are registered and using different sets of receipts for lower taxes.

Also, instead of the location of the sale, he said some dealers are putting the place where the vehicle is registered.

Amid the investigation, Caindec said the LTO Central Office issued a memorandum now allowing vehicles sold in a specific region to be registered in a different region.

“What does that mean?” he asked, adding he decided to speak out to defend the entire LTO.

In response, Roque said no one is stopping Caindec from pursuing the investigation on the alleged anomalies in LTO.

“Go on with the investigation and pursue it until the end,” the Palace official said on Wednesday. 

“After all, all public officials, including you and me, must have a common advocacy on good governance and zero tolerance against corruption that takes advantage of the sad plight of the Filipino people.”

Roque also said the motive behind his revelation about Caindec is “as clear as the sun rises in the east.” 

“I stand for good government and the Filipinos deserve no less,” he said.--KBK/LDF, GMA News