DAVAO CITY, Philippines — For a measly sum of P400 pesos, an employee of the Land Transportation Offfce (LTO), was penalized to pay P5,000 for receiving money from a client.
This after LTO Traffic Aide III Marilou Alferez pleads guilty over charges of illegal solicitation.
Cebu City Presiding Judge Jenelyn Forrosuelo of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Branch 4, found Alferez of the LTO guilty of violating Section 7(d) of the Republic Act No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees).
The case against Alferez stemmed from a complaint lodged by Socrates Funesto, who was apprehended by the LTO personnel on August 12, 2011 over minor road violation.
Alferez who was assisted by counsel, entered a plea of “guilty” during the 20 February 2018 hearing wherein the court ordered Alferez to pay a fine of P5,000.00 as penalty.
The investigation conducted by the Ombudsman revealed that Funesto, a jeepney driver, was flagged down for a traffic violation on 12 August 2011 resulting in the confiscation of Funesto’s driver’s license.
Funesto proceeded to the LTO, he approached and requested Alferez to reconsider his violation. In reply, Alferez told Funesto to pay P1,500.00 for his traffic citation ticket.
But, after payment, she assured him that the “violation will be downgraded so the fine will also be reduced.” Funesto then gave Alferez P400.00 and left her office. Upon return, Alferez gave Funesto’s license. No official receipt was given for the P400.00 payment.
Under the law soliciting or receiving cash or in kind to a government employee is prohibited.-Jiann A. Algarme/Newsline.ph
