Raps filed vs LTFRB chief for 'playing favorites'

MANILA, Philippines - A transport group on Thursday slapped administrative charges against Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chief Thompson Lantion before the Ombudsman. Efren de Luna, chief of Philippine Confederation of Drivers and Operators-Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (PCDO-ACTO), said that the charges were based on allegations that Lantion played favorites among the transport leaders. Among the charges that PCDO-ACTO filed against Lantion were: violations of Conduct and Ethical Standards for public officials, the violation of the Articles 131 and 268 of the Revised Penal Code, violations of the Civil Service Degree, and Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Before filing the charges, at least 20 members of the PCDO-ACTO staged a rally in front of the LTRFB office demanding for Lantion’s resignation, the report added. Meanwhile, LTFRB spokesman Leandro "Leddy" Tantoco admitted that the agency does not recognize PCDO-ACTO as an official public transport group and that De Luna was banned from the agency. This is because his PCDO-ACTO is not registered before the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Tantoco said. Tantoco assured that Lantion would face all the allegations hurdled against him. But in the meantime, the said that they are waiting for a copy of the complaint. - Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV