MANILA, Philippines — An information techonology service provider pushed back against graft allegations linked to its transaction with the Land Transportatiion Office (LTO) and said that it would take the "necessary legal steps" to debunk the "unfounded" accusations. Stradcom Corporation on Friday issued the statement after transport group, Federated Land Transport Organizations of the Philippines (FELTOP), filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman questioning the legality of the P169 computer fee in its transactions with the LTO and alleging possible "preferential treatment for Stradcom." “The company will take the necessary legal steps to address what appear to be unfounded graft allegations against our company,” Stradcom said in its statement to The Manila Times. It stressed that its operations with the LTO were backed by a standing government concession agreement. “For the record and as a gentle reminder to the public, Stradcom Corporation operates and delivers service to the Land Transportation Office pursuant to a valid, legal, binding, and enforceable concession agreement with the government,” it said. “We remain compliant with the terms and conditions of our concession agreement, and faithful in helping the LTO’s service to the motoring public,” the company added. The complaint, filed on March 5, questioned the collection of the P169 computer fee per transaction, alleging it generated more than P169 million and may have been implemented with preferential treatment for Stradcom, which provides the IT infrastructure used for vehicle registration and other digital services of the LTO. FELTOP, which represents more than 60,000 small and independent public utility vehicle operators nationwide, argued that the fee has added to the operational costs of transport operators already grappling with rising expenses. Also named in the complaint was Vigor Mendoza II, now chairman of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, for actions allegedly committed during his tenure as LTO chief. Mendoza dismissed the graft complaint against him, describing it as an act of “desperation to get even.” FELTOP is seeking a 90-day preventive suspension against Mendoza while the Ombudsman investigates the allegations and is also asking for a refund of all computer fees collected starting Jan. 28, 2025.