Aquino lines up at LTO, renews driver’s license

Natashya Gutierrez

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President Benigno Aquino III doesn't seek special treatment, waits with the crowd, and is surprised at how fast the processing is

NO VIP. President Benigno Aquino III renews his license two days before his 54th birthday. Malacañang Photo Bureau

MANILA, Philippines – Guess who just got his license renewed?

President Benigno Aquino III surprised Land Transportation Office (LTO) workers in Tayuman, Manila, when he arrived at about 10:30 am and lined up to renew his license on Thursday, February 6, two days before his 54th birthday.

Other applicants were also surprised to see the President, who donned a barong with a yellow ribbon, alongside them in line.

Aquino, who arrived with Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya, did not ask for special treatment. The whole process took a little over 30 minutes – including photo ops with LTO workers and applicants.

“He was surprised at how fast his license was processed. He thought he was given VIP treatment, but we explained that we were just operating regularly,” Licensing Center Chief Lily Cadores said in Filipino. “We think he was happy with our services.”

The processing time for Aquino’s license took 26 minutes from 10:32 to 10:58 am, according to the LTO Routing Slip.

Processing times have been shortened signficantly since it has been computerized by IT provider Stradcom Corporation, although fixers continue to operate within the agency. (READ: The fixing business at the LTO)

Cadores said Aquino “waited with the crowd” and, “while waiting for his turn, there were people asking to have their picture taken with him.”

The LTO was recently in the spotlight after its chief, Virginia Torres, was caught in a video playing in a casino. Torres, a shooting buddy and appointee of President Aquino, retired in October 2013. 

See more photos below from the Malacañang Photo Bureau:

Rappler.com

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Natashya Gutierrez

Natashya is President of Rappler. Among the pioneers of Rappler, she is an award-winning multimedia journalist and was also former editor-in-chief of Vice News Asia-Pacific. Gutierrez was named one of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders for 2023.