I mentioned an unnamed transportation official in the Visayas during my September 21 press briefing in Cagayan de Oro City. It was a statement made in good faith with the intent that the aforesaid official would “shape up” and bring back effective and efficient delivery of service to his office.

I was thus surprised that Land Transportation Office Region 7 Director Victor Caindec came out in the open, revealed himself, and played the issue out in the public by issuing a statement blaming a “vehicle dealership group” as part of efforts to “silence” him and claiming that my pronouncement in Cagayan de Oro City was part of a “well-orchestrated act to pressure him to stop an ongoing probe against a group of motorcycle dealers engaged in questionable practices.

There is no person stopping RD Caindec to discontinue his probe on alleged anomalies in his office. Go on with the investigation and pursue it until the end. After all, all public officials, including you and me, must have a common advocacy on good governance and zero tolerance against corruption that takes advantage of the sad plight of the Filipino people.

RD Caindec questioned my motive. It is clear as the sun rises in the East: I stand for good government and the Filipinos deserve no less.

Secretary Harry Roque
Presidential Spokesperson