The Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced that it has suspended 107 driving schools across the country for issuing fake Theoretical Driving Course certificates.

LTO chief Vigor Mendoza said most of the suspended driving schools are located in Regions 3, 4A, and in the National Capital Region.

Mendoza said this is one of the requirements to get a driver’s license, along with a practical driving examination certificate.

He also called for LTO’s regional and district officers in those areas to address the problem.

“Nag-issue kami ng show cause (order) diyan para to give them the opportunity to explain their side pero in the meantime, suspended muna sila,” he said.

The LTO is also cracking down on fixers selling fake driver’s licenses online. A suspect caught by the Philippine National Police Anti Cybercrime Group was presented during the same press briefing.

DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said this is just one of many arrests that the government will be making as part of its road safety campaign.

“Kung titignan mo yung mga serbisyong binebenta nila, for P1,000, P2,000, P5,000 nakalagay doon, halimbawa, non-pro driver’s license without actual driving… Yang driver na yan, pag nakakuha ng lisensya at hindi marunong magmaneho, most likely makakadisgrasya yan. Baka makakapatay pa yan kaya this is no joke,” he said.

Dizon warned that LTO officials who are found to be in cahoots with fixers and scammers will be punished.

Meanwhile, Vigor also urged the public not to patronize fake driver’s licenses as they may also face criminal prosecution.

At the same time, Dizon said the DOTr and LTO will work to make the process of getting a driver’s license easier so that people would not have to resort to illegal means.