Controversial LTO chief Torres back on duty Tuesday

After two months of going “on leave," controversial Land Transportation Office (LTO) head Virginia Torres will return to her post on the first working day of this week. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte on Sunday said their latest information is that Torres would to return to her post on June 21. “From the last time I checked, [Assistant Secretary] Torres is due to come back on the 21st, if I’m not mistaken, from the leave she took," she said on government-run dzRB radio. She said this will be despite another case reportedly filed against Torres by Stradcom, the LTO’s Information Technology (IT) provider. Torres, incidentally, was among the government officials whom members of the minority bloc at the House of Representatives want investigated. The bloc has accused President Benigno Aquino III of cronyism for allegedly appointing friends with questionable qualifications to important government positions. Torres is reportedly a shooting buddy of Aquino. Valte said the Palace is still studying the recommendations of a fact-finding body created by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate Torres. “So far the recommendations are being studied," she said. “Wala pa tayong any advice to the contrary na hindi tutuloy ang kanyang pagbalik (We have not received any advice that Torres will not be allowed to resume her post)," she added. Last April, Torres took a two-month leave upon what Valte said was a “request" of Aquino. Transportation Assistant Secretary Raquel Desiderio took over the LTO in Torres’ absence. Torres had been linked to some issues, including her alleged involvement in an intra-corporate dispute at Stradcom Corp. Her name was also linked to carnapping, although a police investigation has cleared her of this. — KBK, GMA News