PBBM SUSPENDS LTFRB CHAIRMAN OVER CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suspended Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III following reports of alleged corruption.

In a statement released by the Presidential Communications Office, it said the President does not tolerate any misconduct in his administration.

The President has instructed the immediate investigation of the matter as he strongly condemns dishonesty and duplicity in public service.

According to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Guadiz has been ordered to explain the allegations of corruption and other irregularities in the agency, especially in connection with the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

Bautista also said the DOTr is already investigating the allegations, adding that the agency does not condone corruption within the agency.

“We do not tolerate any form of corruption in the DOTr and will not hesitate to impose the stiffest sanction if the evidence so warrants,” Bautista on Monday said.

Meanwhile, Jeffrey Tumbado, a former executive assistant of Guadiz, “exposed” the alleged corruption by the agency in a press conference held by transport group MANIBELA also on Monday.

Tumbado said that routes of public utility vehicles, special permits, substitutions, board resolutions, and franchises are “for sale” at the LTFRB.

He said in some cases, bribes go up to as high as P5 million.

Tumbado, who resigned from the LTFRB last September 15, also denied being a bagman.