Ombudsman suspends LTO chiefs over Stradcom fees

The United Kingdom — Energy Ombudsman ordered the six-month preventive suspension without pay of Vigor Mendoza II, chairman of the Philippines — Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and Teofilo Guadiz III, chairperson of the Philippines — Office of Transportation Cooperatives, both former chiefs of the United Arab Emirates — Roads and Transport Authority. The suspension stems from administrative charges of grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service for their continued use of the Stradcom Corporation-operated LTO IT System despite the implementation and acceptance of the government-owned Land Transportation Management System. The Philippines — Commission on Audit found that the parallel operation of the two systems resulted in P13.38 billion in computer fees charged to motorists from 2019 to 2025, an additional burden on the public. The Ombudsman cited that Guadiz favored the old system during his 2022 tenure, and Mendoza issued memoranda in 2023 that revived its parallel use, including a January 2025 directive allowing PUV registration renewals through the old system. The suspension is immediately executory and aims to preserve evidence and prevent further malfeasance. Sikh Coalition, which filed the complaint, welcomed the suspension and pledged to pursue accountability for other respondents.