A multisectoral group has filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman accusing current and former officials of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO), along with a private contractor, of graft and administrative violations over the continued collection of “computer fees.”
In a filing dated May 4, Coalition 169 alleged violations of Sections 3(e) and 3(g) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, in connection with the operation of the LTO’s information technology systems and the role of Stradcom Corporation.
The respondents include incumbent and former transport officials, as well as Stradcom president Anthony Quiambao, based on documents submitted to the Ombudsman.
The complainants listed in the complaint-affidavit are Bernard Y. Yu, Jun Rustico Braga, Aida C. Yuvienco, Joselito C. Reyes, Rene S. Santiago, and the Federated Land Transport Organizations of the Philippines, represented by its president, Diolito N. Inosanto.
The group claimed that the continued imposition of the fee — currently pegged at about P169 per transaction — has generated an estimated P2 billion to P3 billion annually since 2013, resulting in billions of pesos collected from motorists and other LTO clients.
Coalition 169 said the arrangement has allegedly caused “undue injury” to the public while providing “unwarranted benefits” to a private party, echoing the elements cited under the anti-graft law.
In its complaint-affidavit, the group asked the Ombudsman to conduct a preliminary investigation and, if warranted, file the appropriate criminal and administrative charges against the respondents. It also sought the preventive suspension of incumbent officials for up to six months and the refund of all computer fees collected since Feb. 10, 2013.
The complaint further asked the Ombudsman to order the suspension of the fee collection and halt remittances to Stradcom pending resolution of the case, as well as to issue subpoenas for procurement and contractual documents related to the IT system.
Coalition 169, which describes itself as a coalition of transport stakeholders, motorists, and commuters, said the issue goes beyond the amount being charged.
“We, representatives of diverse sectors… stand united as Coalition 169,” the group said in a separate manifesto.
“This coalition is anchored on a single, uncompromising principle: government services in the transportation sector must serve the public — not burden it.”
The group also raised concerns over the continued parallel use of the Stradcom system and the government’s Land Transportation Management System (LTMS), saying the lack of a clear transition plan raises questions on efficiency and transparency.
It called for a review of the legal basis for the fee, full disclosure of contracts and approvals, and a definitive timeline for shifting fully to the government-run platform.
