𝐋𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐔𝐌𝐏𝐇𝐒: 𝐈𝐥𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐨 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝟑 𝐅𝐢𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐬 

BY GEROME DALIPE IV

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) scored a major legal victory as the Iloilo Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) convicted three individuals—including two former employees of an accredited driving school—for falsifying a Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) certificate in 2022.

LTO Region 6 Regional Director Atty. Gaudioso P. Geduspan II welcomed the ruling, calling it a major step forward in upholding road safety and public accountability.

“This conviction sends a strong message that the LTO will not tolerate any breach of procedures by accredited driving schools,” Geduspan said. “It is aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to overhaul and fortify the driver’s licensing system, ensuring that only fit and responsible individuals are allowed on the road.”

Assistant Regional Director Jeck D. Conlu reaffirmed the agency’s unwavering implementation of its One Strike Policy, which mandates immediate suspension—and possible revocation—of accreditation for driving schools and personnel found violating LTO rules.

LTO Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II has disclosed that over 100 driving schools have been suspended nationwide in just the past two weeks due to various violations.

“There’s no escaping accountability now,” Mendoza declared. “Our mandate is clear—tighten regulations and ensure that no one slips through the cracks.”

Last week, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon issued a stern warning to online scammers and driver’s license fixers, saying the government is cracking down on illegal activities that endanger the public and compromise road safety.

The statement came after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the LTO, and other concerned agencies to overhaul the system and prioritize road safety.

The LTO, in coordination with the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), recently apprehended individuals selling fake driver’s licenses and persons with disability (PWD) IDs through online platforms.

Dizon emphasized that the sale of counterfeit licenses to unqualified individuals poses a significant threat to public safety, increasing the risk of deadly road accidents.

He also revealed that 107 driving schools have been suspended for issuing “no show” certificates and failing to comply with the required theoretical driving instruction protocols.

Court Conviction

In a 13-page ruling dated May 23, Judge Enrique Trespeces of MTCC Branch 10 convicted Maricel Debuno Garino, Ma. Kristina Berbulla Daanoy, and Juffrey Doctolero Fuertes of falsification of a private document under Article 172(2) in relation to Article 171(4) of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 10951. The three face up to three years of imprisonment and a fine of ₱3,000.

“The evidence presented strongly reveals that the State has proven the conspiracy of the three accused to falsify a TDC certificate for financial gain,” the court ruled.

The case stemmed from a December 14, 2022 incident, when the accused conspired to issue a fraudulent TDC certificate to a certain James Galve, falsely indicating he had completed the mandatory 15-hour theoretical driving course required for a student driver’s permit.

Galve testified that he visited the LTO Region 6 office to inquire about the process when Garino approached him with an offer to bypass the course for a ₱2,000 fee. She directed him to Triple M Driving School, which was ordered closed immediately after the entrapment in 2022.

Upon learning that the TDC course was actually free of charge, Galve reported the incident to the Office of the Assistant Regional Director—then headed by now Director Geduspan. This led to an entrapment operation that resulted in the arrest of Garino, Daanoy, and Fuertes.

Defense Rejected

During the trial, the three accused pleaded not guilty. Garino denied being affiliated with the school, claiming she was simply in the area.
Daanoy admitted to administrative duties but insisted she believed Galve would complete the course later. Fuertes, a driving instructor, denied any involvement in the certificate issuance.
Judge Trespeces, however, rejected these defenses, citing the well-coordinated roles each played in the scheme.

“Garino lured the applicant, Daanoy prepared the paperwork and received the payment, and Fuertes finalized the certificate,” the judge noted. “Each performed specific acts with such precise coordination, showing a common design to commit the offense.”

Entrapment Deemed Valid 

The court ruled the entrapment operation valid, meeting both subjective and objective legal standards. Greater evidentiary weight was given to documentary proof—including the falsified certificate and transaction records—over the accused’s denials.

Judge Trespeces also underscored that as employees of an LTO-accredited school, Daanoy and Fuertes were legally bound to ensure document authenticity under LTO Memorandum Circular No. 2019-2176.

Director Geduspan stressed that the court’s decision reinforces the Marcos administration’s drive to reform the licensing system and eliminate fraudulent practices.

“This decision strengthens our resolve to weed out unscrupulous actors and protect the integrity of our systems,” Director Geduspan added.