Retired LTO chief Torres says 'casino' video was a set-up

Retired Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Virginia Torres believes she was set up by the person who released a video supposedly showing her being in a casino, which would be in violation of a Malacañang circular regarding the conduct of government personnel.

The video, which was shot on a cellphone, showed Torres playing a slot machine. She said that it was set up to make it look like she was in a casino, but that she was not in a casino at the time. The video began circulating on social networking sites several weeks ago.

"Somebody has done it. Somebody has orchestrated [it]," Torres said of the video in a "24 Oras" report on Monday.

Torres, who hails from President Aquino's home province of Tarlac, went on to say that she has "forgiven" the person behind the video, hinting the one responsible may have had "political ambitions." She declined to name the person.

"Sino mang pwedeng makinabang dito, pwesto man o political ambitions, I have forgiven them all," she said.

Torres retired from the LTO after she figured in the scandal, the latest controversy to hound the agency. Another one involving the LTO has to do with the delay of the release of newly designed license plates under a P3.85-billion joint venture after issues arose regarding the release of the funds.

For his part, Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya said they recommended one person to replace Torres as LTO head, a presidential appointment position.

"Isa lang ang nirecommend namin, ayaw ng presidente na maraming ni-re-recommend," Abaya said in the report.

"Whether he [Aquino] will consider others, that's within the power of the president," he added.

According to Memorandum Circular No. 8 issued by Malacañang on August 28, 2001, "All government personnel concerned are prohibited from entering, staying and/or playing at gambling casinos."

These include "government officials connected directly with the operation of the government or any of its agencies (save personnel employed by the casinos who may be allowed to stay in the premises) and members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), including the Army, Navy, and Air Force."

"All heads of departments, bureaus and offices, government-owned or controlled corporations and local governments, including the PNP and AFP [are directed] to remind officials and employees under them regarding this prohibition and to impose the appropriate sanctions and penalties in case of violation thereof," the memorandum said. — Marc Jayson Cayabyab/BM, GMA News