Report Misuse of Govt. Vehicles

**Dieseler** · September 15th, 2004 06:59 PM

"The public can report such violations to the LTO hotline, tel no. 921-9072, but we encourage them to present evidence like photographs or videos taken of vehicles in places where there is no official business," said Lontoc.

***********

Red plates watch nets 11 LGU violators

http://news.inq7.net/metro/index.php...story_id=11003

Updated 11:28pm (Mla time) Sept 14, 2004
By Clarissa Batino
Inquirer News Service

Editor's Note: Published on page A24 of the September 15, 2004 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

ELEVEN of the 26 red plate vehicles caught being used for unofficial business by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) were issued to local government units (LGUs) mostly in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, according to LTO head Anneli Lontoc.

As part of cost-cutting measures, Malacañang ordered public officials and employees last week to use government service vehicles only on official business.

"We have submitted a list of the 26 government vehicles seen in schools and malls, obviously not on official business. The list is already with Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita. In time, maybe the ES could bare the list," said Lontoc.

Verification

"Of the 26, 11 were registered under LGUs, 10 of which were local governments in the National Capital Region," she added. "The rest are registered under government agencies and corporations, and one belonged to a state university."

The LTO began its monitoring of red plate vehicles last Sept. 8. Lontoc said the results were culled from five days of monitoring. Apart from the red plates, state-owned vehicles used to exhibit "government use only" markings painted on the side.

Information on the registration of the red plates was verified with the LTO database.

Appeal to public

The LTO, meanwhile, appealed to the public for help in monitoring abuses made by public officials who use their government vehicles to bring their children to school or their families to the malls.

"The public can report such violations to the LTO hotline, tel no. 921-9072, but we encourage them to present evidence like photographs or videos taken of vehicles in places where there is no official business," said Lontoc.

The transportation department also warned users of red plate cars not to violate traffic regulations.

Drive expanded

Transport Secretary Leandro Mendoza said most drivers of these vehicles violate traffic rules with impunity as they are emboldened by the reluctance of traffic enforcers to flag them down for traffic infractions.

"Public office demands high standards for government officials, " the DOTC head said. "I think this campaign to monitor the unauthorized use of government vehicles should be widened to cover other violations committed by drivers of government-issued vehicles."

Traffic police must strictly enforce road regulations, and this includes not ignoring violations committed by drivers of government vehicles, he added.

**pajerokid** · September 15th, 2004 07:33 PM

Alright!!!! Our inhouse photogs will have a field day with this!!!

**Bogeyman** · September 15th, 2004 07:48 PM

One time, paakyat kami ng Antipolo, I saw a vehicle with a government plate naka-park sa harap ng isang KTV, katabi ng entrance to Valley Golf and Country Club, along Sumulong Highway. Another time, at the open parking in Megamall, I saw no less than five government vehicles.

Naisip ko, dyan ba napupunta yung buwis na binabayad ko buwan-buwan? Kakapal talaga ng mukha! Sarap butasin ng mga gulong tapos lagyan ng note sa windshield, "P*****I** niyo! Mahiya kayo sa taongbayan!" Karamihan pa dyan ang lakas magmalaki. Kesyo malakas daw sila sa LTO, MMDA, etc.

On a somewhat related note, Channel 7's Imbestigador once did a feature on how to detect fake congressional license plates. Andami kasing nagpapagawa sa Banawe ng "8" na plates para makalusot sa MMDA, e mga private citizens lang naman sila. Two LTO officials fitted a fake congressional plate on a GMA vehicle and drove it around EDSA. Tawa sila ng tawa nung pinapalampas lang sila ng MMDA enforcers, kahit sinasadya na nilang magkaroon ng violation.

According to the LTO, authentic congressional license plates must indicate which district and province/city the official represents, show the year when the solon's term expires, at dapat green yung characters, hindi blue or red. among other telltale signs. Yung iba namang congressman, genuine yung gamit na plaka, pero expired naman.

**baiskee** · September 15th, 2004 08:29 PM

yehey! mapupuno ang goon squad gallery dito. :D

**Dieseler** · September 15th, 2004 10:27 PM

Didn't someone post a lot of pictures of cars with red plates parked in Ateneo? I can't seem to find the thread.

**Ungas** · September 15th, 2004 10:45 PM

Here's the link:

- GARAPAL BA? AdMU students using red plates (govt cars)

**kiper** · September 16th, 2004 02:46 AM

Well..start reportin! Save niyo na ung number ng LTO sa cellfones niyo.. LTO Hotline tel no. 921-9072.

**the_wildthing** · September 16th, 2004 08:47 PM

Saw ABS-CBN News making the rounds and they've found a few in malls, schools, even motels! My g0$%!

It turns out the law says not even family members of the assignee can ride in the government vehicles. Talagang "for official use only".

Pero hanggang huli lang LTO tapos forward to Malacanang. And then what? Tsk tsk.