Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) board of directors member Mercy Paras Leynes was named as the agency's officer-in-charge, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
In a Special Order No. 2023-353 issued on Tuesday, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said Leynes will be LTFRB's OIC from Oct. 10, 2023, until Oct. 9, 2024
"As such, she shall perform and discharge all the function and responsibilities of the office, unless otherwise earlier amended or superseded," he said.
"Moreover, she shall be entitled to all benefits and allowances accruing to the position, except the basic salary, charged against available LTFRB budget, subject to existing budgeting, accounting and auditing laws, rules, and regulations," Bautista added.
JUST IN: LTFRB board member Atty. Mercy Paras Leynes, itinalaga bilang OIC ng ahensya simula ngayong araw, October 10, 2023 hanggang October 9, 2024 kasunod ng suspensyon ni Chairman Teofillo Guadiz III –DOTr | @dzrhnews pic.twitter.com/mJRY4M3ALo
— Christian Maño (@xtian_mano) October 10, 2023
Leynes' designation comes a day after President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. suspended Chairman Teofilo 'Jojo' Guadiz III due to reports of alleged widespread corruption inside the agency.
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Marcos "does not tolerate any misconduct in his administration" and "condemns dishonesty and duplicity in public service."
The President has directed an "immediate investigation" into the alleged corruption in the agency.
The transportation department has launched a probe into the issue and has ordered Guadiz to explain the alleged irregularities.
