Treasury official outlines malbete authorization process and data gaps in fine accounting

Officials from the Department of Hacienda told the House Transportation commission how the department authorizes the sale of vehicle inspection stickers (malbetes) and described limitations in how fines imposed by DITOP were recorded.

Alberto Rosario, subsecretario auxiliar del área de rentas internas, described the authorization checklist (model SC3600), certifications required from DITOP, bank certifications, SURI registration, a minimum bond valuation cited at $26,000, and an example $4,000 cash component of the bond process. "La certificación de aprobación de la ASC, la fianza valorada en un mínimo de 26000 dólares ... y un pago de 4000 dólares de la fianza en efectivo," Rosario said.

Hacienda staff estimated there are roughly 300–400 certified inspection stations that can sell malbetes and agreed to supply precise counts and lists within five business days.

On fines and penalties, Treasury staff and recaudations officials said the department receives payments via contracted digital collector OPJ Technology, which issues receipts and sale records. But Hacienda said it lacks a designated accounting code specifically for DITOP-imposed fines, meaning the Treasury’s ledgers do not always show those fines as distinct entries and staff cannot easily verify which center paid which fine in its internal systems. "No tenemos creada una cifra que identifique que el producto de ese pago es una multa," José Rivera, director de recaudaciones, told the committee.

Committee members requested that Hacienda produce transaction-level reports for 2022–2024 including system flags for insufficient payments, counts of automated suspensions, and lists of any referrals to investigative bodies. Hacienda agreed to compile and deliver the requested data and reconciliation reports within the requested timeframe.