MANILA – A Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) official was suspended for 90 days by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for allegedly demanding P4.8-million bribe in exchange for the franchise of several buses.
LTFRB executive director Samuel Jardin was suspended by DOTr secretary Arthur Tugade over grave misconduct for soliciting money and for facilitating and fixing the application to issue a Certificate of Public Conveyance.
Jardin also violated the rules on administrative cases in the civil service for receiving money and committing conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service.
Jardin, who served as chairman of the pre-accreditation committee, was required to submit a reply to the order, including documentary evidence within three days of receipt.
“The DOTr finds a prima facie case against Jardin,” it said. “The DOTr resounds it’s stern warning that disciplinary action shall come swift and unrelenting to any official or employee for the slightest hint of corruption.”
Based on the complaint, the complainant said that a certain “Madam Lolit” allegedly asked for P300,000 for Jardin and another P4.5-million which would be split between Jardin (P3-million) and DOTr chief Martin Delgra (P1.5-million) for the issuance of a Route Measured Capacity.
The complainant said that after negotiations, the rate was brought down to P4.6 million. She also said that she personally gave Jardin the P100,000 inside the LTFRB office on March 27.
The applicant then gave P4.5-million to Madam Lolit inside the office’s restroom before both of them went to Jardin’s office to hand him the bag containing the money.
The following day, the complainant claimed that Madam Lolit messaged her that the money was not enough and went on to ask for her wedding ring.
The 90 day suspension on Jardin aims at allowing the DOTr to conduct an impartial investigation on the complaint./PN
