DOTr - LTO Press Statement on News Reports Quoting Some Government Officials Who are Suggesting that the DOTr and LTO Should no Longer Be Reviving the Contract on Motor Vehicle Plates

Wazzup Pilipinas!

DOTr-LTO PRESS STATEMENT

11 September 2018

This is in response to news reports quoting some government officials who are suggesting that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) should no longer be reviving the contract on motor vehicle plates.

We would like to clarify that there is no legal basis to cancel the contract. In January 2018, the Supreme Court lifted its Temporary Restraining Order and dismissed the petition questioning the constitutionality of the procurement, while the Commission on Audit lifted its Notice of Disallowance on the advance payment for the deal last July, effectively clearing the contract of irregularities. The DOTr-LTO is duty-bound to honor the contract regardless of which administration started it.

The insinuation that reviving the deal “reeks of unpardonable graft” is prejudiced and unfair.  Questions about the deal should be taken up with the Supreme Court and the COA. 

The only concern of the DOTr-LTO now is to distribute the plates to the millions of Filipino motorists, following the aforesaid decisions of the SC and the COA. This is not a case of accommodation or corruption, just public service.