MANILA – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will study the complaint filed by a transport group on the implementation of the vehicle.modernization program before the Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday.
In a statement, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said a counter-affidavit to the complaint by Manibela chair Mar Valbuena will be made “at the appropriate time or forum.”
He clarified that there is yet to be a complaint affidavit, subpoena, or order received from the Ombudsman.
“We assure the general public that in implementing the PUV (public utility vehicle) modernization program, DOTr, and its attached agencies endeavor to strictly comply with pertinent provisions of the 1987 Constitution, as well as relevant laws and jurisprudence,” he said.
Earlier, Valbuena filed complaints against the DOTr, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC), and the Office of the Solicitor General at the Office of the Ombudsman in relation to the PUVMP.
He alleged that these government agencies violated Republic Act (RA) No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and RA No. 6713, otherwise known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
Valbuena also appealed to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to help the cause of PUV drivers and operators affected by the PUVMP. (PNA}
