It’s no secret that for decades, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has carried the stigma of fixers. These middlemen thrive because some people inside the system allegedly benefit from under-the-table transactions meant to speed up or smooth licensing, registration, and other agency processes, a practice many argue has allowed unqualified drivers to obtain licenses and operate motor vehicles or motorcycles on public roads.

But in recent years, the LTO has been making visible efforts to clean house. In fact, it just became more serious this past six months after Asec. Markus Lacanilao stepped in, where 56 LTO personnel have been dismissed over various offenses which, according to the agency, “affect the integrity of its service to the public.”

The LTO also said it has rolled out what it calls an “extensive internal cleansing drive” that led to administrative charges, preventive suspensions, and the dismissal of several officials and employees linked to violations and irregularities in their duties.

Its Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) confirmed that the personnel have been tagged in various administrative cases involving grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, extortion or kotong, falsification of official documents, and other offenses.

Among those implicated are 34 permanent employees and one presidential appointee from its Central Office in Quezon City, NCR, Regions II, IV-B, VII, CAR, and CARAGA.

Some of the employees have already been placed under preventive suspension and formally charged, while others were referred to the Central Office Disciplinary Board (CODB), the Regional Administrative Action Board (RAAB), and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for appropriate action.

Also, 16 job order personnel were dismissed from service, while others had their deputation authority revoked or were removed from their posts, including two LGU auxiliary enforcers and one security guard.

Two officials from NCR and Region XII were likewise issued stern warnings for administrative lapses, the LTO reports.

The LTO Chief reiterated that the agency will not tolerate corruption, negligence, or abuse of power, adding that anyone who violates the law and breaks public trust will be held accountable regardless of rank. He also assured the public that the crackdown covers not only fixers and erring motorists, but also personnel within the agency, as internal cleanup is key to restoring public confidence.

The LTO said investigations will continue and urged the public to report corruption, extortion, fixer activity, and other irregularities to I-report mo kay LTO Chief website for immediate action.