By Mae Singuay

Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez appointed Executive Assistant I Patrick Lacson, as officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO), replacing Police Major Junji Liba, amid the recent alleged corruption issues in the said office.

Benitez issued memorandum 168, which designates Lacson as BTAO OIC effective immediately.

He said Lacson is mandated to perform the functions and duties left by Liba.

“Any memorandum previously issued by the undersigned that is in conflict with this order is hereby revoked,” the memo reads.

Liba was designated as assistant chief of the Bacolod City Police Office’s Traffic Enforcement Unit.

Lacson’s designation as OIC came after complaints in relation to the alleged corruption at the BTAO.

The allegations include the cancellation of citation tickets without any reason, and allowing the entry of trucks into the city during the imposition of a truck ban, Benitez said.

The mayor said it is now being investigated by the City Legal Office.

Meanwhile, Benitez respected the decision of Atty. Pacifico Maghari following his resignation from his post as city administrator.

In a Facebook post, Benitez expressed his gratitude and admiration for the service rendered by Maghari for more than one year.

Maghari’s decision, in light of family-related concerns, had been under consideration for the past two months.

On Wednesday, November 1, City Legal Officer Romeo Carlos Ting, Jr. confirmed that Maghari had submitted his resignation letter./MS, WDJ