Ombudsman Remulla Calls for Change: Time to Move On from Stradcom
In a passionate broadcast on Saturday, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla made a heartfelt plea to the Land Transportation Office (LTO): it’s time to stop relying on Stradcom Corp. His words were clear and resolute. “Ang pakiusap ko lang, itigil na nila ‘yang kalokohan na Stradcom. Itigil na nila,” he urged, which translates to, “I am simply asking them to stop this nonsense involving Stradcom. They should put an end to it.”
This call for change comes as part of Remulla’s vision for a more efficient and effective Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) administered directly by the government. He emphasized the need for improvement, saying, “Ayusin natin ‘yung ating Land Transportation [Management] System.” In other words, let’s fix our system.
A Call for Accountability
With palpable frustration, Remulla pointed out that the current system is plagued by confusion and inefficiencies. “Don’t just collect computer fees while creating chaos,” he warned. “There are multiple licenses and many fake ones. They deliberately leave loopholes to create excuses. That’s enough; it should stop.”
It’s clear that Remulla is not simply venting his concerns; he has taken action. He has already spoken with LTO Chief Markus Lacanilao, urging him to take a definitive stance. “Tigilan na ‘yan, tama na ‘yan. Kumita na ‘yan, tama na,” he said, imploring Lacanilao to halt any further dealings with Stradcom, noting the hefty profits they’ve raked in—claiming over P15 billion—and questioning their tax contributions.
The Allegations Against Stradcom
The backdrop of this heated discussion is a growing dissatisfaction within the transportation community. In May, the transport group Coalition 169 filed serious allegations against various officials of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for graft and misconduct concerning the extension of Stradcom’s government contract. These concerns echo a larger question: Why does the DOTr continue to allow Stradcom to provide IT services when the government operates the LTMS?
Coalition 169 member Johnny Gomez spotlighted a crucial issue—whether Stradcom is even legally authorized to provide these services. The group claims that for the last decade, Stradcom has lacked the legal basis to maintain its contract.
A Push for Change
As the discussion unfolds, it becomes increasingly apparent that the call for change isn’t just noise. It underscores a deep desire for accountability, transparency, and improvement in a system that impacts the daily lives of countless citizens.
Remulla’s passionate call to action resonates deeply: stop the nonsense, focus on improvements, and move forward. It’s a sentiment shared by many who only want the best for their community.
The echoes of these calls are clear: It’s time for the LTO to listen, adapt, and ultimately, rebuild trust in a system that has the potential to serve its people better. The question now is, will they heed the call?
