The country’s Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced that the agency is temporarily suspending its policy, requiring applicants for a professional driver to get a Police Clearance and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Senate President Franklin Drilon and Senate Pro Tempore Ralph Recto were instrumental in the decision made by the LTO to suspend the requirements for new drivers license.
Senators Drilon and Recto questioned the implementation during plenary deliberations on the proposed budget of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC). Sen. Rector was the one who first suggested the suspension of the new requirement, saying it was just an added burden to the people.
Senate President Franklin Drilon joined Sen. Recto’s call to suspend the policy of the LTO when he was not satisfied by the DOTC’s answer through Sen. Loren Legarda, the chair of the Senate finance committee when asked what cases in the police of the NBI would warrant the disqualification of an applicant from getting a professional driver’s license.
Sen. Drilon also pointed out that the pendency of criminal proceedings should not also automatically disqualify an applicant “because there’s a presumption of innocence.”
Sen. Loren Legarda then stated that the DOTC has no choice but to listen to the suggestion of the Senators Recto and Drilon “because their budget will be suspended if this is not suspended.”
