TRANSPORTATION Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza appears to be on a collision course with one of his subordinates, Land Transportation Office Assistant Secretary Anneli Lontoc, who has ordered the confiscation of special commemorative plates approved by Mendoza himself.

Mendoza, a former chief of the Philippine National Police, authorized the issuance of Traffic Management Group and Maritime Group commemorative plates when the two police agencies observed their anniversaries last year.

The commemorative plates were sold to police officers and civilians on the condition that they will be attached to the regular license plates issued by the LTO.

But Lontoc said her agency has not approved the use of the commemorative plates. She also ordered her men to confiscate all unauthorized and expired commemorative plates, including the TMG and MG plates.

Lontoc's order came in the wake of reports that she will soon be replaced by retired police general Thompson C. Lantion, Mendoza's classmate at the Philippine Military Academy. Mendoza and Lontoc, according to People's Journal sources, are not on speaking terms for still unknown reasons.

Lontoc's order has put in a quandary TMG officials in charge of implementing the government's "no plate, no travel policy."

"Papaano naman namin kukumpiskahin ang commemorative plate na sa amin naman nanggaling? Eh, hindi naman ito bawal dahil approved ito ni Secretary Mendoza," said a TMG officer.

TMG agents since May 13 have intercepted more than 8,500 motor vehicles for violating the "no plate, no travel" policy.