THE DEPARTMENT of Transportation (DOTr) on Monday defended one of its officials following a complaint filed by owners of private emission testing centers (PETC) before the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged illegal closure and revocation of permits of PETCs.
In a statement, the DOTr said the complaint filed against Undersecretary for Administrative Services, Artemio Tuazon Jr. was a challenge to its “quest to fix the system of emission testing in the country.”
“There are people and groups who are trying to stop this change in an industry that has, for so many decades, been riddled with corrupt practices,” the DOTr said.
While the DOTr has yet to receive the complaint, it said it would confer with the Office of the Solicitor General for Tuazon’s defense.
Tuazon, it said, was designated to supervise two offices under the DOTr that aim to review the activities of PETCs before issuance of permits—the Franchising Review Staff (FRS) and the Investigation, Security, and Law Enforcement Services (ISLES).
His designation was part of the DOTr’s reforms in the PETC industry that aim to ensure compliance of vehicles to safety, environment, and roadworthiness standards, the department said.
The roles of the FRS and the ISLES involve the handling of violations committed by PETCs, where these establishments are issued a show-cause order to explain why formal charges should not be filed against them.
If PETCs are found to have made nine or fewer violations, a show cause order will be issued, while PETCs with 10 or more violations will receive an order of suspension together with a show-cause order to prevent further operation.
It said that the issuance of show cause orders and suspension were not penalties, but were meant to prevent PETCs from “committing further illegal acts.”
“After they submit their answer to the show-cause, FRS shall evaluate the pictures and their answer. Only then will formal charges be filed against them,” the DOTr said.
It said while they were saddened by the complaint filed against Tuazon, it will not deter the department from “doing what is right.”
Based on the complaint-affidavit, the charges of usurpation of official functions, violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service, and misconduct were filed against Tuazon.
The complainants claimed Tuazon does not have the authority to cancel permits of emission testing centers as that responsibility falls under the DOTr Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Procurement. (By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz)
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