LTO suspends Cebu firm over importation of illegal right-hand drive vehicles

CEBU, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has ordered the preventive suspension of a Cebu-based company’s accreditation following its alleged involvement in the illegal importation and sale of right-hand drive vehicles.

LTO chief Vigor D. Mendoza II announced that Cebu Titan Supplies was issued a show cause order (SCO) and given five days to explain its reported violations after right-hand drive vehicles were discovered during a raid in Quezon City last week.

“We already issued an order for the preventive suspension for 90 days of the accreditation of this company amid the ongoing investigation,” Mendoza said. “We want to ferret out the truth regarding this disregard of the law and part of this is to hear from them in the interest of due process.”

The investigation stemmed from a raid led by the LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division, in coordination with the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), after the firm was observed on social media advertising imported vehicles. Several second-hand right-hand drive vehicles and LTO-issued documents, including certificates of registration, were confiscated for further scrutiny.

Mendoza ordered a deeper probe after the documents linked Cebu Titan Supplies to the importation and registration of right-hand drive vehicles, which is a violation of Republic Act No. 8506. The law prohibits the importation, registration, and operation of vehicles with steering wheels on the right side on public or private roads in the Philippines.

In the SCO signed by LTO Executive Director Atty. Greg Pua Jr., the company is accused of committing fraud and misrepresentation in its application and operations, including alleged irregularities in stock and sales reporting. Initial findings indicated that the firm processed the sales reporting and registration of four such vehicles in Mindanao.

The SCO ordered the company to submit a verified written explanation, or face possible disciplinary actions—including accreditation cancellation and fines under LTO administrative orders—within five days from the date the order is received.

“Failure to submit an answer within the aforesaid period shall be deemed a waiver and this Office shall resolve the case based on the evidence at hand and may impose penalties prescribed under said LTO Administrative Orders which includes suspension/cancellation of accreditation and fine,” the order read.

Mendoza underscored the seriousness of the offense, reiterating that the importation of right-hand drive vehicles is explicitly banned under Philippine law.

He added that the agency is also investigating whether any LTO personnel were involved in the illegal registration of the vehicles. — Philippine Star News Service, FPL  (CEBU NEWS)