'Kotong' traffic aide caught on video now under investigation

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A traffic aide of the Traffic Management and Transportation Regulatory Office (TMTRO) here in Iloilo City was caught in the act extorting money from public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers in a video uploaded online.

In a viral video uploaded by user HRAZ NEK in Youtube, traffic enforcer Enrique Lorente was seen collecting from Villa PUJ drivers in Robinsons' Iloilo.

City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said a panel composed of city administrator Norlito Bautista, chief of the human resource office and TMTRO will study and dig deeper on the TMTRO system.

Kotong traffic aide video

TMRO officer-in-charge Ma. Rhodora Katipunan, supervising transportation regulation officer said that Lorente was called by the office to explain why and what he did over the weekend.

Similarly, city councilor Plaridel Nava called the erring traffic aide to come and shed light on the video shots showing Lorente in flagrant exaction by receiving some money from the jeepney drivers and pocketing it.

Katipunan said that based on the video evidence, Lorente is doing a major grave offense and illegal exaction. Executive Order 23 issued in May 2008 by then city mayor and now congressman Jerry P. Treñas established guidelines on disciplinary action to all Iloilo City traffic aides and enforcers.

Traffic aide found to have committed a major grave offense such as illegal exaction and collection whether monetary or in kind in exchange for traffic favors, shall be dismissed from duty or outright non-renewal of job order upon the recommendation of the Chief TMTRO.

Mabilog said he is leaving it up to the investigating panel to decide on the sanctions against the erring traffic aide aside from the administrative penalty and or criminal liabilities. With reports from Lydia Pendon.

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