| Aquino: Resolve case against LTO chief By Marlon Ramos Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 01:37:00 02/22/2011 Filed Under: Crime and Law and Justice, Road Transport, Car Theft, Government offices & agencies Most Read Other Most Read StoriesxClose thisMANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III has ordered the swift resolution of a criminal complaint against Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Virginia Torres in connection with the illegal registration of a Mitsubishi Pajero, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Monday. De Lima said the President called her upon reading an Inquirer report Monday that Torres—a shooting range buddy whom Mr. Aquino had named to head the LTO last July—and 25 other LTO officials and PNP personnel were facing criminal and administrative charges stemming from activities of car theft syndicates. "He asked me because he read the banner story. The President asked if there was really a complaint. So we were able to verify that there is," De Lima told reporters, referring to a police report on the alleged illegal registration of the Pajero on May 7, 2009, while Torres was head of the LTO office in Tarlac City. "I just checked the status [of the complaint]. It's already up for resolution. It's just a matter of few days," De Lima said. In Malacañang, reporters asked Mr. Aquino's spokesperson, Edwin Lacierda, if Torres still enjoyed the President's trust and confidence. "There's a constitutional presumption of innocence there. So, until such ... |
