A graft complaint has been filed against Vigor Mendoza, former chief of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and now chairman of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), over the P169 computer fee charged to public utility vehicle operators.
The complaint, filed before the Office of the Ombudsman by the Federated Land Transport Organizations of the Philippines (FELTOP), accused Mendoza of giving undue preference to IT provider Stradcom Corporation.
According to the group, the firm was allowed to collect the computer fee from public utility vehicles from 2025 to 2026.
FELTOP also asked the Ombudsman to place Mendoza under a 90-day preventive suspension while the case is being investigated.
The group is likewise seeking the refund of the P169 computer fee allegedly paid by millions of jeepney drivers and other PUV operators since January 28, 2025.
FELTOP spokesperson June Barga said the fee may appear small, but it adds to the mounting expenses faced by transport operators.
He questioned why the fee was reintroduced despite previous LTO administrations having removed the charge.
Mendoza, however, dismissed the complaint, saying it was driven by individuals who were affected by policy reforms during his tenure at the LTO.
“Our aggressive policy reforms geared towards fast and comfortable services when I was still in the LTO cut deep into the interests of some individuals and groups that they still feel the sharp and biting pain of the effects until now — and therefore, could not move on,” Mendoza said.
He added that he welcomes the filing of the complaint, saying the Ombudsman is the proper forum to clarify the issue.
“Nevertheless, I respect and welcome the decision of a self-proclaimed transport group to bring the matter to the Office of the Ombudsman since this is the proper forum to shed light into this old and recycled issue,” he said.