Jose Arturo Tugade experienced chaotic times in his stint as LTO Chief: despite his push to combat fixers, digitize transactions through the LTMS, and even offer free theoretical driving courses to student drivers, the LTO was faced with a plethora of issues. These include the shortage of motorcycle and car plates and the shortage of license cards–with the DoTR helping out with the latter by tapping the National Printing Office to procure 5 million cards. With all the chaos, the LTO Chief officially resigns today (May 22), citing differences with the DoTR.
“Even as DOTr and LTO both aim to succeed in serving the public, our methods to achieve that success differ,” Tugade said in a statement posted by the Presidential Communications Office. “For this reason, I am stepping down, so Sec. Jimmy Bautista will have the free hand to choose who he can work best with.”
Based on what Tugade said, it does appear that both he and Bautista are not on good terms–remember when Bautista called out Tugade and the entire LTO agency for NOT procuring plates and cards earlier?
Despite his decision to resign, Tugade said that he will continue to root for the LTO as it solves all of its issues as a private citizen. “I will always share in Sec. Bautista’s belief that our offices can be a formidable force for good in our country,” Tugade adds.
Tugade resigns from his post as LTO chief months after he was appointed to the position. Prior to being the LTO Chief, Tugade was the general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA). LTO has yet to announce who will replace Tugade as of this writing.
