Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Tuesday, October 31, that the head of the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office will be replaced amid allegations of corruption at the BTAO.
Benitez said Maj. Junjie Liba will be replaced as BTAO officer-in-charge effective Wednesday.
He will issue an executive order naming a new BTAO officer-in-charge, Benitez added.
Liba said he has not received the order of his relief yet, and is denying allegations of corruption.
He has no problem with his being removed as BTAO head, but it is unfair that his side was not heard, he should have been granted due process, Liba said.
The mayor said Liba is not under his jurisdiction since he is a member of the Philippine National Police.
It is up to the PNP to conduct an investigation regarding Liba, he said.
However, the complaints of illegal activities at the BTAO will be investigated by the City Legal Office, Benitez said.
Benitez said a report submitted by Bacolod Police Director Col. Noel Aliño states that the investigation on the allegation that Bacolod Councilor Al Victor Espino threatened a BTAO job order worker with a gun has been terminated since a case has already been filed against him in court.
The case is for oral defamation and grave threats.
“Since it is now under the jurisdiction of the court we will refrain from making any statement regarding it”, Benitez said.
Espino will have to defend himself in court, the mayor said.
The mayor said the BTAO office will also be moved out of the Bacolod City Police Office compound on the request of Aliño.
They will be transferring to a new office, he said.
Ideally their office should be located next to an impounding area, Benitez added.*