LTO chief to go on leave starting Monday, says Palace

Upon the "request" of President Benigno Aquino III, Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Virginia Torres will go on leave for about two months starting this Monday, Malacañang said Saturday. Presidential deputy spokeswoman Abigail Valte said Torres' absence from work was not a suspension. "Hindi siya suspension. The president asked her to go on leave beginning Monday," Valte said on government-run dzRB radio. When asked how long the leave will last, Valte said, "pagkakaalam ko two months." In the meantime, she said Department of Transportation and Communications Assistant Secretary Raquel Desiderio will take over the LTO. Torres had been linked to some issues, including her alleged involvement in an intra-corporate dispute at Stradcom Corp., the LTO's computer systems provider. — JE, GMA News