By Denise A. Valdez, Reporter

AN OFFICIAL of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) was suspended on Wednesday for “corruption allegations,” the Department of Transportation (DoTr) said in a statement on Thursday.

DoTr said it issued an order for the 90-day preventive suspension of lawyer and LTFRB Executive Director Samuel Aloysius M. Jardin for allegedly soliciting P4.8 million “in exchange for facilitating and granting (an) application for a Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC).”

“Along with the order… a formal charge has been filed against Jardin for grave misconduct; receiving for personal use a valuable thing in the course of official duties wherein such gift was given in the expectation of receiving favorable treatment; and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service,” the department said. The formal charge and order of preventive suspension against Mr. Jardin, both dated April 3, have also been provided to the media.

Mr. Jardin was also directed to submit within three days from receiving the order his verified answer to the formal charges with supporting documentary evidence.

In its statement, the LTFRB quoted its chairman, lawyer Martin B. Delgra III, as saying, “I certainly don’t condone corruption in the LTFRB, more so that I have put so much stake in having to address the issue since assumption into office in July 2016.”

When sought for comment, Mr. Jardin said in a text message the allegation is based on a “false witness,” adding that he will issue his verified answer on Friday.

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