Senator JV to Continue Probe on Alleged License Plates Deal Anomaly

Senator JV, Chairman of the Blue Ribbon Subcommittee for the probe of alleged anomaly in the procurement of P3.8-Billion license plates, said that it will get into the bottom of the allegations surrounding the bidding process.

As the committee is set to hold its next hearing on Monday, May 25, 2015, Senator JV expects that the subcommittee will be able to thoroughly discuss the alleged anomalies.

On Thursday's hearing, it was found out that the LTO bid out its license plates standardization program in 2013 notwithstanding the lack of appropriation in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for the whole project amount.

The DOTC-BAC was the body who undertook the bidding of the P3.8-Billion license plates. Atty. Jose Lotilla, Chairman of the BAC appeared before the committee and tried to explain that the basis of the bidding was the 2014 GAA. However, the Senators did not buy his explanation.

Another issue that surprised the Senators was the add-on fees in the registration and purchase of license plates. Senator JV slammed the DOTC and LTO after they unconvincingly explained the basis for these add-ons.

"Bakit nagkaroon ng additional charge na P50 ang LTO para sa stickers, dapat kasama na ito sa babayaran. Titingnan natin kung saan napupunta at paano nila ginagastos ang kinita dito," Senator JV said in an interview.

Ejercito also noted that the delay could have been prevented if the plates are manufactured in the country like just before.

"Kung kaya gawin dito sa atin ang mga license plates, bakit di na lang dito gawin? Mabibigyan pa natin ng trabaho ang ating mga kababayan," Ejercito said.

Senator JV said that the investigation will ultimately look into related laws to know whether they need to be amended to match the realities of the present situation.