• Office of the Minority Leader Edcel C. Lagman
• 13 June 2011
• 09189120137 / 09166406737

          President Aquino must make a forthright disclosure on his response to the Memorandum dated 23 May 2011 of then Secretary Jose P. de Jesus informing him of the benefits and advantages of the DOTC-LTO contract with information technology (IT) provider Stradcom Corporation.

           De Jesus recommended that the Stradcom contract be maintained because (1) it reduces the processing time of all transactions; (2) it establishes an audit trail showing vehicle, license and violations history which can be accessed online; (3) it assures connectivity with other government agencies and private entities resulting in efficient access to authentic data; and (4) it modernizes LTO public service delivery.

          According to the Memorandum, LTO services will regress and the transacting public will suffer if the Stradcom contract will be terminated and LTO returns to manual operation.

          President Aquino should also clarify reports that his alleged preference for the abrogation of the Stradcom contract and his reported directive to have the recommendations in the said Memorandum altered, triggered the resignation of de Jesus.

          Transparency likewise demands that de Jesus should make a clean breast of the true reasons for his resignation and should desist from shielding the President.