Philippines LTO IT system controversy

The Philippine Land Transportation Office (LTO) has faced scrutiny over its decision to maintain dual information technology systems. Despite a May 29 directive from the Office of the Ombudsman ordering an immediate halt to the Stradcom-developed platform, the LTO continued to operate it alongside the government-owned Land Transportation Management System (LTMS). LTO Executive Director Martin Ontong cited technical and legal issues, noting the agency was awaiting a Supreme Court ruling regarding the LTMS contract.

Following investigations, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla ordered the six-month preventive suspension of two former LTO chiefs, Vigor Mendoza II and Teofilo Guadiz III. The officials face administrative charges of grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. The case centers on the continued use of the older Stradcom system, which the Commission on Audit (COA) reports resulted in approximately PHP 13.38 billion in computer fees being charged to the public between 2019 and 2025. The Ombudsman characterized the officials' actions as a “patent disregard of established government policy” regarding the transition to the LTMS.