LTFRB OIC appointed after Guadiz’s suspension

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista on Tuesday designated an officer-in-charge to lead the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) after its chairman Teofilo Guadiz III was suspended.

In his Special Order No. 2023-353, Bautista designated LTFRB board member Mercy Paras Leynes as OIC chairperson from October 10, 2023 to October 9, 2024.

“As such, she shall perform and discharge all the functions and responsibilities of the office, unless otherwise amended or superseded,” said the Transportation chief.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday suspended Guadiz  amid allegations of corruption under his leadership.

Guadiz is embroiled in a controversy after his former executive assistant, Jeff Tumbado, claimed that bribe money from operators can go as high as P5 million to secure a route, franchise, special permits or board resolutions.

Tumbado alleged that operators are asked to pay a 50 percent down payment, with the balance to be given when the request is granted.

Tumbado claimed that aside from the bribery at the LTFRB central office, regional directors are also given quotas to produce P2 million a month.

He said he personally witnessed the conversations and had text screenshots and audio recordings to prove his claims, adding that he decided to come out to stop the anomaly which is victimizing even poor operators.

In an earlier statement, Bautista said an investigation on the allegations has been launched. 

Guadiz was also asked to explain after he was accused of misconduct involving the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

"We already launched an investigation on the allegations against the LTFRB.  While we are already evaluating the alleged irregularities involving [chairman Guadiz], we also issued a notice to explain against Guadiz for him to shed light on the allegations," Bautista said. — BM, GMA Integrated News