LAND Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III has been ordered suspended over accusations of corruption, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Monday, October 9, 2023.
It said the suspension was ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“The President does not tolerate any misconduct in his administration and has instructed the immediate investigation of this matter. He strongly condemns dishonesty and duplicity in public service,” he added.
In a press conference earlier on Monday led by transport group Manibela, Guadiz’s former executive assistant Jeffrey Tumbado said that the LTFRB official is accepting grease money amounting to P5 million for modification of route, issuance of special permit and prioritization of franchise papers.
He said the first payment is being made upon the request while the balance is given after the fulfillment of the request.
“Kapag ikaw ay operator ka at gusto mong makuha ang daan na ito, lalo na sa probinsya, magre-request ka nang modification of route tapos kung gusto mong mapadali, gusto mong mapasaiyo ‘yan kahit hindi pwede eh hanapin mo ako,” said Tumbado.
(When you are an operator and you want to get this road, especially in the province, you will request a modification of route and then if you want to make it easier, you want it to be yours even if not possible, you just find me.)
“Nag-umpisa ito noong March…nag-usap kami, regular briefing ko sa kanya (Guadiz), tapos medyo nag-usap kami tungkol sa mga bagay-bagay lalo na kung ano ang dapat na makapag benefit sa amin,” he added.
(It started in March...we talked, I regularly briefed him (Guadiz), then we talked a bit about things, especially what should benefit us.)
He said he has audio recordings, screenshots of exchange of messages with individuals involved as evidence.
Tumbado said he believes that Guadiz himself is also a “victim,” noting that he may not be collecting only for himself but due to instruction from the “higher ups.”
He refused to identify his role in the scheme, saying that he bared the matter over fears of becoming the “sacrificial lamb” once the matter is publicized as well as to straight things up.
In a statement, Guadiz maintained that his conscience is clear.
“As of this morning, nasa opisina naman ako at wala pa po akong nalalaman na anumang opisyal na inihain laban po sa atin pero kung mayroon man, haharapin naman po natin ito dahil malinis po ang ating kalooban,” he said Monday.
(As of this morning, I'm in the office and I'm not aware of any official charges filed against us, but if there is, we'll deal with it because our hearts are clean.)
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista issued a notice to explain to the suspended LTFRB chairman.
“We already launched an investigation on the allegations against the LTFRB. While we are already evaluating the alleged irregularities involving Guadiz, we also issued a notice to explain against Guadiz for him to shed light on the allegations,” said Bautista, noting the stiffest sanction will be meted against Guadiz if the evidence so warrants.
Manibela chairperson Mar Valbuena announced that they will stage “the biggest transport strike that the government will experience” starting October 16 in relation to the corruption allegations.
They will also hold protest actions in front of the LTFRB, Department of Transportation, and Malacañang.
But Valbuena did not say the duration of the planned transport strike.
They will also file graft and corruption charges before the Office of the Ombudsman. (SunStar Philippines)