“First, Malacañang declared that the supposed memo dated May 22, where outgoing Transportation Secretary Jose ‘Ping’ de Jesus outlined the benefits of the current computer system of the LTO, did not have specific recommendations for the President to act on, hence Malacañang’s inaction. Later, the Palace denied the existence of a second memo dated April 6, where de Jesus, indeed, outlined lapses and literally begged the President to discipline Land Transportation Office chief Virginia Torres for gross derelection of duty and gross insubordination,” Zenaida Maranan, Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Associations of the Philippines (Fejodap) president, said.
“It seems that Malacañang is going out of its bounds and is even conspiring with the offices under its jurisdiction to cover up the existence of the supposed April 6 memo of Ping de Jesus,” Maraman said, as she displayed disgust over the continued inaction of the Department of Justice, the DOTC, the Office of the President and the Ombudsman over the administrative and criminal cases that are hounding Torres.
“Pakinggan nila kaming stakeholders, dahil kami ang magkakaroon ng problema diyan, saludo kami kay Secretary de Jesus dahil tahimik lang siya, pero kami mismo ang nakakaramdam ng mali diyan...mabuti pa noong panahong ni Presidente Arroyo ang DOTC secretary may boses na kalampagin ang kanyang mga tauhan, ngayong panahon ni Pangulong Aquino, hindi na namin makita ang tuwid na landas, ekis ekis na landas na ang nararamdaman naming ngayon.” Maranan said.
She added that even now, the public is apparently being prepared for a milder DOJ report as Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda earlier said Malacañang is still reviewing the “preliminary” investigation report of the DOJ on the LTO-Stradcom Corp. “war.”
“Why does not Malacañang implement the DOJ report?,” asked Maranan, adding, “simple, because the DOJ has recommended outright the dismissal of the President’s friend, Virginia Torres.”
“Hindi ako galit kay Torres at sa pagkatao niya. Galit ako sa pinagagawa niya dahil ang pinahihirapan niya ay ang mga stakeholders,” Maranan added.
(Jojo Perez)
