MANILA, Philippines — A Land Transportation Office (LTO) employee in Samar has been preventively suspended for 90 days amid an ongoing investigation into her alleged involvement in the illegal transfer of ownership of a motor vehicle, the agency announced Monday.

LTO Chief and Assistant Secretary Vigor D. Mendoza II issued the suspension following a complaint from a motor vehicle owner filed in January. The case stemmed from allegations that the supervising transportation regulation officer in Catbalogan City facilitated a spurious registration of a sedan.

The complaint was initially filed before the Office of the Ombudsman, which later referred the case to the LTO for investigation.

“Considering that your position affords you the opportunity to exert undue influence or pressure on potential witnesses and tamper with evidence… you are hereby placed under Preventive Suspension for a period of ninety (90) days,” read the order signed by Asec. Mendoza.

The complainant submitted LTO documents indicating that the transaction processed by the suspended employee was irregular. The employee faces administrative charges of Gross Neglect of Duty and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.

Mendoza stressed that while the agency is pushing for reforms and the regularization of contractual workers, it will not hesitate to act against wrongdoing.

“The case is under investigation and we assure the public that we will not tolerate this illegal activity—if it is true. We will ferret out the truth on this matter,” Mendoza said.