A GOVERNMENT official urged the public to cooperate with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) so it can investigate motorcycle dealerships who delay the release of vehicle registration.
LTO-Central Visayas Director Victor Caindec said Tuesday, March 28, 2023, that nothing will happen if people who complain will not pursue legal action.
"Kusog moreklamo but inig sugod na namo og imbestiga, mangayo mi affidavit, dili sila mo execute (They complain but cannot execute an affidavit)," said Caindec.
Caindec’s statement came following SunStar Cebu’s publication of a story on Saturday, March 25, 2023, about a motorcycle dealership in Cebu City that failed to follow the three to five days mandated time in the release of registration for a purchased motorcycle.
SunStar Cebu has received a number of Facebook messages from some people who encountered the same situation.
"I purchased a Honda ADV 160 last January 23, 2023 from a dealer in Mandaue City, two months passed and I still have not received any updates [from] the dealer," a Facebook user said.
Another Facebook user said: "I bought a motorcycle last January 24, 2023 and I paid in full cash but until now, I have not received my registration."
"I purchased last February 25, 2023 straight cash but my registration is still pending," said another motorcycle buyer from Mandaue City.
Caindec said that some complainants only report these incidents to their office but refuse when asked to sign an affidavit regarding the complaint.
"Without anybody testifying to the details, dili na nato makit-an, dili na nato maconvict, dili na mohold water in court. We cannot even pass the fiscal's scrutiny," said Caindec.
"It's an industry practice but up until we pin down one dealer, you cannot stop the industry practice. A court has to say nga sayop inyo gibuhat," he added.
Caindec encouraged the public to testify so they can conduct a motu proprio investigation, or to investigate with valid report.
He also said that just recently, the LTO 7 filed 50 cases against motorcycle dealerships in the region.
Among the cases filed on February 13, 2023 was against a branch of a large motorcycle dealership in the country.
Caindec said complains, or any public concern may be reported to ltoco.feedback@gmail.com, or via LTO's Central Command Center hotline 134-2568. (KJF)