TACLOBAN CITY- The graft charge filed against the regional director of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Arthur Saipudin, was dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman.
The case was dismissed by the Ombudsman for lack of probable cause.
However, the anti-graft court finds the LTFRB official guilty of simple misconduct, an administrative offense.
The Ombudsman, on its June 9, 2016 decision, meted Saipudin a three months and one day suspension from office.
Saipudin filed his motion for reconsideration and deferment of the implementation of the penalty.
But last August 30, 2016, LTFRB chairman Martin Degra III issued a memorandum order implementing the suspension order for three months issued by the graft court despite the presence of a pending motion for reconsideration.
“I am a lawyer. I know the rules of law that is why it’s hard for me to just vacate my office and leave my sworn duties and responsibilities” Saipudin said.
The case stemmed from the complaint of Cesario Licopit he filed on October 23, 2015 before the Ombudsman for violation of the Republic Act 3019.
Saipudin, who was appointed to his post on 1987, will retire from government service next year.
Aside from being the regional director of the LTFRB in the region, he is likewise the concurrent regional head of their office in Region 9.
(BEN VERIDIANO)
